Growing up, one of my favorite dishes was spaghetti and meatballs. My parents divorced when I was young and I distinctly remember every Friday my dad would pick us up from school and we would eat his homemade spaghetti and meatballs. It was almost a ritual in that I even had it on the same plate every time. Memories like these are so precious to me.
So when I began making healthier food choices, this was one of the first things I wanted to try to make. I wanted a healthy version with the same comfort! I think we can all agree there is something incredibly comforting about warm meatballs and sauce simmering on the stove all day.
The best about these meatballs is that they are super easy to make and freeze for another time. You could even make a double match and save half! They are also great as a base protein for so many other recipes. Start with these and you can add them to any desired meatball dish.
Sauce Ingredients:
1 tsp of salt
1 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp onion powder
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/2 tsp garlic powder
Pinch or more of crushed red pepper
15 ounces of tomato sauce
28 ounces whole peeled tomatoes
Meatballs and “Zoodles” Ingredients:
1 pound ground turkey (I used 93% lean 7% fat. You could also use 1lb of ground beef)
3 medium zucchini
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/4 onion powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp Italian seasoning
1 tsp oregano
1/2 tsp fennel
Pinch crushed red pepper flake
1/4 tsp garlic powder
Directions:
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Use a noodler like this one to spiralize your zucchini
- Put ground meat and remaining meatball ingredients in a large bowl and use your hands to mix together and form into small balls
- Bake in 350 degree oven for 20 minutes
- Add all ingredients of the sauce to a large pot and let come to a boil, crushing the whole tomatoes if you want
- Add the baked meatballs into the sauce and lower it to just simmer
- Let cook together for at least 20 minutes but even longer if you can to let the flavors come together
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I like my zucchini crunchy but if you do not sauté them for 3 minutes in olive oil
- Place meatballs on top of the zoodles and enjoy!