Meatballs are one of those recipes I turn to all the time when my kids say, "I'm hungry!!" They're nutritious, filling, and easy to make when we're busy but still craving something homemade.
Ingredients
1 pound lean ground beef (90% lean or higher)
1 large egg, beaten
1 medium carrot, grated (about ½ cup)
2 tablespoons chia seeds
½ cup packed basil leaves, roughly chopped (about ¼ cup)
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 green onions, white and light green parts, finely chopped (about ¼ cup)
1 medium clove garlic, minced
½ teaspoon kosher salt
¼ teaspoon pepper
One 24-ounce jar pasta sauce
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a large baking sheet with aluminum foil. Spray with nonstick cooking spray and set aside.
Place the ground beef, egg, carrot, chia seeds, basil, Parmesan cheese, onions, garlic, salt and pepper in a large bowl and mix until just combined. Shape the meat mixture into twenty-four 1½-inch balls. Place on the prepared baking sheet and cook until lightly browned, 10 minutes.
Meanwhile, place the pasta sauce in a large saucepan over medium heat. Cover and bring to a simmer. When the meatballs come out of the oven, add them to the sauce, reduce the heat and simmer, covered, until the meatballs are fully cooked and have absorbed some of the sauce-y flavors, about 20 minutes.
Notes
50% vitamin A, 15% vitamin C, 10% calcium, 20% iron per serving