Description
These healthy meatballs are a flavorful and nutritious family favorite, packed with three kinds of veggies including broccoli, carrots, and spinach. They are kid-approved, gluten-free, egg-free, freezer-friendly, and perfect for quick meals. Enjoy them baked to perfection and serve them warm on their own, with tomato sauce, or over pasta.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables
- 1 1/2 cups fresh broccoli florets
- 1 large carrot, roughly chopped
- 1 1/2 cups baby spinach, loosely packed
- 2 stalks green onions
- 1 clove garlic
Meat and Seasonings
- 1 pound ground beef (can substitute ground turkey or chicken)
- 3/4 tsp salt, or to taste
- 1/4 tsp pepper, or to taste
- 1 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
Other
- 2 tbsp flax meal
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400℉ (204℃) to get it ready for baking the meatballs.
- Prepare Vegetables: In a food processor, combine the broccoli florets, roughly chopped carrot, baby spinach, green onions, and garlic. Pulse the mixture until the vegetables are finely chopped, creating a uniform texture for the meatballs.
- Mix Ingredients: Transfer the finely chopped veggies to a large mixing bowl. Add the ground beef, salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, and flax meal. Use your freshly washed hands to thoroughly mix all ingredients together until well blended.
- Form Meatballs: Gently roll the mixture into golf ball-sized portions. Arrange the formed meatballs in a single layer on one or two large baking dishes depending on the size to ensure even cooking.
- Bake: Place the baking dish(es) in the oven and bake the meatballs for 20 to 25 minutes, or until they are cooked through and no longer pink inside.
- Serve and Store: Enjoy the meatballs warm by themselves, with your favorite crockpot tomato sauce, or over pasta. Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or frozen for up to one month.
Notes
- These meatballs are gluten-free and egg-free, making them suitable for those with allergies or dietary restrictions.
- For a leaner alternative, ground turkey or chicken can be used instead of ground beef.
- Flax meal acts as a binder replacing eggs, keeping these meatballs moist.
- Freezing meatballs is a great option for meal prep; reheat thoroughly before serving.
- Feel free to adjust seasoning to taste, especially salt and Italian seasoning.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: healthy meatballs, gluten free meatballs, veggie meatballs, baked meatballs, family dinner, kid-friendly, freezer friendly
