Grain-free Meatballs + Marinara Sauce Recipe

Grain-free Meatballs + Marinara Sauce recipe is a healthy, quick and easy meal idea that’s perfect for a family dinner on a busy weeknight.

I love meatballs.  I think they are one of the most useful foods ever created.  Take any kind of minced or ground meat/vegetables, roll it into a bunch of small balls, fry or bake them, put them all into a luscious sauce to simmer away until they are needed.

A Healthy Grain-free Meatballs + Marinara Sauce Recipe

This recipe is my go-to healthy, easy dinner meal.  After this marinara sauce is cooked through, I use my immersion blender to make it semi-smooth, leaving it a little chunky, before adding the balls.  The sauce tastes even better when it’s made the day before and can also be successfully frozen for up to 3 months.

Since I’m still in training for my Montreal carbolicious food marathon next week, I sauteed a bunch of my CSA organic Napa cabbage and served the meatballs in sauce on top.  Basically it was like a plate of deconstructed cabbage rolls.  It was so satisfying, I didn’t even miss the spaghetti noddles.

I prefer to fry the meatballs, instead of baking, so a nice crust forms on the outside of them.  The flavor goodies stuck to the bottom are a huge plus when making the sauce in the same pan too.

Enjoy this Grain-free Meatballs + Marinara Sauce recipe next time you need a quick and easy healthy meal for the family.

Grain-free Meatballs + Marinara Sauce Recipe

Grain-free Meatballs + Marinara Sauce recipe is a healthy, quick and easy meal idea that's perfect for a family dinner on a busy weeknight.

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Course: Entree

Cuisine: Italian

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes

Servings: 6 servings

Calories: 431kcal

Author: Karrie | Tasty Ever After

Ingredients

FOR THE MEATBALLS:

• 1 pound fresh ground sirloin
• 1 pound ground pork
• 2 large eggs , beaten
• 1/2-3/4 cup fresh grated Pecorino Romano or Parmesan cheese
• 1 tablespoon garlic , minced
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon each salt and pepper
• 1 tablespoon olive oil

FOR THE MARINARA SAUCE:

• 1 14.5 ounce can fire roasted diced tomatoes , undrained
• 1 14.5 ounce diced tomatoes , undrained
• 2 garlic cloves , minced
• 1/4 cup onion , finely chopped
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• salt and pepper to taste

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

FOR THE MEATBALLS:

• Place all ingredients in large bowl, mix well, and shape into desired ball size.
• Put the olive oil in a heavy bottomed pan and heat over medium heat. When the pan is heated, put in the meatballs, leaving a little space in-between each, and brown on all sides. Remove and set aside.

FOR THE MARINARA SAUCE:

• Using the same pan, leave about 1 tablespoon of meatball drippings, and saute onion over medium low heat until soft.
  
• Add the garlic and cook for another minute.
  
• Add both cans of tomatoes, with their liquid, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer uncovered for about an hour, stirring occasionally.
• Mix in the basil and add salt and pepper to taste. Add the meatballs to the sauce and heat through.  Serve over pasta, sauteed cabbage, zucchini noodles, etc.

Recipe Notes & Tips:

• Can substitute ground turkey or chicken for the ground sirloin or pork
• Can freeze leftover sauce and meatballs in a tightly covered freezer proof container for up to 3 months

Nutrition Facts

Grain-free Meatballs + Marinara Sauce Recipe

Amount Per Serving

Calories 431 Calories from Fat 252

% Daily Value*

Fat 28g43%

Saturated Fat 11g55%

Cholesterol 166mg55%

Sodium 527mg22%

Potassium 758mg22%

Carbohydrates 8g3%

Fiber 1g4%

Sugar 3g3%

Protein 34g68%

Vitamin A 285IU6%

Vitamin C 14.9mg18%

Calcium 182mg18%

Iron 5.3mg29%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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