Have a picky eater in your family? Here's a great way to sneak some whole grains and veggies into a food that is probably already a staple in your house! Great with sweet and sour sauce, or even on their own - these easy to make meatballs are sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
What you'll need doll:
- 1 lb Lean Ground Beef
- 3/4 cup cooked Quinoa*
- 1/4 cup finely chopped Onions
- 1/4 cup grated Carrots
- 1/4 cup grated Zucchini
- 2 Tbsp Ketchup
- 1 Tbsp Chopped Garlic (I LOVE buying garlic in a jar - saves me a ton of time in the kitchen!)
- 1 Tbsp Soy Sauce
- Oregano, Thyme, Pepper and Salt to taste
- 1 Egg (I have made these without the egg and they still stayed together fairly well).
Preheat oven to 500*F. Yes, I said 500*! I know, it seems ridiculously hot, but it works! Trust me!
Line a cookie sheet with foil and spray with Pam.
In a large bowl, mix together beef, quinoa, onions, carrots, zucchini, ketchup, garlic, soy sauce, spices and egg until well combined. Shape into small meatballs, will make about 20, and evenly space on the cookie sheet. Throw in that ridiculously hot oven until cooked and golden brown - it will only take about 12-15 minutes.
Tada! A delicious, fast, and family-friendly meal packed to the punch with ingredients health-conscious Moms don't feel guilty giving their kids. Serve it with roasted squash, potatoes and turnips; sweet-potato fries; or whole wheat pasta, and a big hearty salad!
*To cook quinoa, bring 1 cup of water to a boil in a small pot. Add 1/2 cup quinoa, cover and simmer until water is absorbed - approx 10 to 12 minutes. Remove from heat for 10 minutes and then fluff with a fork and enjoy! Makes about 1 1/2 cups.
If you haven't yet tried quinoa I highly suggest picking up a bag and looking up a few simple recipes online. It is a highly nutritious and incredibly delicious ancient grain; a complete protein, it adds an extra something yummy to a meal! Try it in place of rice, or in a salad with chickpeas and spinach!
