Scrumptious Meatballs in Spicy Tomato Pepper Sauce | Heghineh Cooking Show

ground beef

🥗Healthier: ground turkey

💰Cheaper: ground pork

Ground turkey is lower in fat, while ground pork is often less expensive.

parmesan cheese

🥗Healthier: nutritional yeast

💰Cheaper: grated cheese blend

Nutritional yeast offers a cheesy flavor with fewer calories.

bread crumbs

🥗Healthier: oats

💰Cheaper: crushed crackers

Oats provide fiber and are often more affordable.

olive oil

🥗Healthier: avocado oil

💰Cheaper: canola oil

Avocado oil is healthier, while canola oil is budget-friendly.

Grab ingredients for the meatballs: ground turkey, eggs, cooked cracked wheat, spices, and onion.

Wash the cracked wheat for a few minutes and let it strain.

Blend the onion to avoid chunks in the meatballs.

Mix ground turkey, eggs, cracked wheat, spices, blended onion, and salt in a bowl until incorporated.

Let the mixture set for a few minutes to allow the flavors to meld.

In a skillet, heat olive oil and add red pepper paste and tomato paste, mixing with water to create a sauce.

Add 2-3 cups of water to the sauce and whisk to dissolve any lumps.

Add basil, salt, and bay leaves to the sauce and let it cook for 5-7 minutes.

Form the meatballs, flattening them slightly for even cooking.

Transfer the meatballs to the sauce, ensuring they are not overcrowded.

Cover the skillet with a lid and cook the meatballs for 10 minutes, then turn them upside down and cook for another 10 minutes.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens