Zucchini and Meatballs
In this classic pasta and meatball dish, we are adding zucchini. It’s a healthy twist and tastes just as delicious.
Makes
Serving size
Ingredients
8-ounces dry thin egg noodles
1 pound ground beef, 80-85%
1 egg
2 tablespoons water
½ cup soft breadcrumbs
¼ teaspoon kosher salt (coarse grain)
1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped plus extra for garnish
½ teaspoon cumin
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
½ cup onion, chopped
1 garlic clove, minced (1 teaspoon)
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
8-ounces no salt added tomato sauce
¼ cup water
3 cups zucchini, cut ¼-inch thick (about 1 ¼ pounds)
Instructions
- Cook noodles according to package. If they get done early, toss with 1 teaspoon of oil to prevent clumping. Set aside.
- In a bowl, combine beef, egg, water, breadcrumbs, salt, parsley, and cumin. Mix well.
- Using 2 tablespoons each, form into 16 meatballs.
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, melt the butter. When melted, add the meatballs, and cook to brown both sides. When both sides are brown but there is still pink in the middle, carefully remove and keep warm.
- Reduce heat to medium. To the pan, add the remaining butter. When melted, add the onions and garlic. Cook about 2 minutes then add the vinegar. Stir quickly to combine.
- Add the tomato sauce. Stir and scrape any bits stuck to the pan. Cover and cook 5 minutes.
- Add the water and zucchini. Cover and cook another 5 minutes (if you like your zucchini soft instead of tender-crisp, cook 8 minutes).
- Add the meatballs back in, turn them to coat with sauce. Cover and cook about 10 minutes or until meatballs are 165°F.
- Serve 4 ounces of noodles, 4 meatballs, and ¾ cup of the zucchini and sauce mix, per person.
- Garnish with parsley.
Cooking Tip
For lower carb option, omit the noodles and spiralize the zucchini. Add zucchini at the end for 2 minutes of final cooking.
Recipe contributed by Satellite Healthcare
Nutrition Info
Calories
463
Fat
20 g
Saturated Fat
7 g
Trans Fat
1 g
Cholesterol
152 mg
Carbohydrates
33 g
Sugar
7 g
Fiber
4 g
Protein
37 g
Sodium
273 mg
Calcium
93 mg
Phosphorus
360 mg
Potassium
892 mg
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