This recipe is a delicious way to use up ingredients in your fridge and cook in bulk at the same time. Throw these quick and easy meatballs on top of whole grain pasta, spaghetti squash, or salad for a balanced meal you don’t have to slave over. Don’t have lean beef? Use ground turkey, bison or chicken for a simple swap.
Lean Beef & Carrot Meatballs
Prep Time: 10 min | Total Time: 35 min
Makes 5 servings
1 lb extra-lean ground beef
1 whole egg, lightly beaten
¼ cup whole-wheat breadcrumbs
¼ cup onion, finely diced
¼ cup carrot, finely grated
1 medium clove garlic, minced
½ tsp oregano
½ tsp dried parsley
Fresh ground pepper to taste
1. Preheat oven to 400° F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, combine all ingredients and lightly mix. Use a 1 Tbsp measuring spoon to scoop mixture and form into balls. Place them in a single layer on the parchment paper.
3. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until fully cooked. Serve as a snack on their own, or over whole-grain or spaghetti squash pasta with jarred tomato sauce if desired.
Nutrients per serving (5 meatballs):
Calories: 185; Fat: 8 g
Carbs: 6 g; Fiber: 0 g
Protein: 21 g
Photography by Paul Buceta
