Cook time: 30 minutes Servings: 4 servings (about 16 normal-size meatballs)
This is one of my favorite memories as a kid and now I have had the chance to recreate it with my children. I hope you do too. It's very easy and delicious. My son Matthew helped me make it and his siblings were fighting for the chance to get in there, squish their hands in the meat, and hand-roll some meatballs!
I involved the kids in every stage of this; from the shopping, to the chopping, to rolling out the meatballs. And they loved every second. During the shopping part, I asked them "what vegetable would be good next to spaghetti and meatballs?" The boys both responded with "broccoli!" So I grabbed a couple of bags of broccoli (one for tonight and one for another day). Then at dinner, every plate was completely clean by the end. They ate all their spaghetti, meatballs, and broccoli. If they have a hand in picking or cooking a meal, they feel very proud and will want to finish it. They want to hear how tasty it is and will watch for your reaction while eating it. The small things. Here is our recipe and the instructions on how we made it. Enjoy.
Ingredients • 1 lb lean (at least 80%) ground beef • 1/2 cup Italian-style bread crumb • 1/2 teaspoon salt • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder • 1/4 teaspoon basil leaves seasoning • 1 small onion, finely chopped (1/4 cup) • 1 large egg • 3 tablespoons minced garlic (about one clove)
Instructions • Finely chop up the onion (tiny tiny pieces) and mince the garlic • Add all seasonings to a small bowl • Put the ground beef in a large mixing bowl and let the kiddo add the other ingredients • Then let them mix all the ingredients with their tiny fingers mushing it all around • Prepare a cookie sheet with a sheet of parchment paper on top • Preheat oven to 400 degrees • Bake for 18-22 minutes or until inside of the Meatballs is no longer pink
Bonus tasty points • Add all the Meatballs to a small pot and add pasta sauce. • Simmer on low heat until sauce starts to bubble • Stir every few minutes to prevent sticking to inside of pot • Remove from heat and allow it to cool • Serve with your favorite pasta for a delicious and memorable meal 😋
I hope you enjoyed this recipe. Let me know on the contact page how this went for you and if your kids enjoyed it as much as mine did.