When I decided to double down on finding family-friendly dinners we could all enjoy, I knew I had to do something with hidden veggies. My kids have no problem eating fruits and berries but when it comes to veggies, it’s… a different story.
I decided to use my food processor to really chop up the veggies as much as possible to hide them in the deliciously saucy meatball.
We’ve had these two ways. We had them on top of pasta and we loved them. We made meatball subs with some fluffy buns and melty provolone and I had two (lol). It had been way too long since I had a good meatball sub so I made up on lost time.
This makes a bunch of meatballs. A bunch. 36 to be exact. So, if you’re a meal prep person, this is the perfect veggie packed recipe to add to your menu. And, if you need even more meatballs in your life try these asian turkey meatballs, these sweet cranberry orange meatballs, and these baked vegetarian “meat” balls!!
So let’s jump into this recipe and make this family-friendly, kid-friendly Healthy Hidden Veggie Meatballs!
How to make these hidden veggie meatballs:
Use your food processor to chop up the onion and then transfer to a large bowl. You don’t have to clean out the food processor in between the veggies because they’re all eventually going to the same place. Then, place the carrots into the food processor and chop the carrots. Transfer to the bowl. Add the zucchini to the food processor and chop up. Then, add that to the bowl.
Add the pork, beef, egg, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and salt to the bowl. Use your hands to mix all the ingredients.
Use a small cookie scooper to make the meatballs and roll them in between your hands to make it smooth. Place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake in the oven for 20 minutes.
Then, place the marinara in the a large pot along with the cooked meatballs over high heat. Once the marinara starts bubbling, place the lid on top of the pot and allow to simmer for another 15 minutes.
Recipe
Healthy Hidden Veggie Meatballs
If you’re looking for the perfect family friendly dinner, these Healthy Hidden Veggie Meatballs is the perfect recipe! Your kids will love them!
Ingredients
- 1 onion (about one cup after chopped)
- 3 medium carrots (about 1 cup after chopped)
- 1 zucchini (about 1/2 cup after chopped)
- 1 lb. ground beef
- 1 lb. ground pork
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 2 24 oz jars of marinara
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F.
- Use your food processor to chop up the onion and then transfer to a large bowl. You don’t have to clean out the food processor in between chopping veggies because they’re all eventually going to the same place.
- Then, place the carrots into the food processor and turn on to chop the carrots. Transfer to the bowl.
- Add the zucchini to the food processor and chop up. Then, add that to the bowl.
- Add the pork, beef, egg, garlic powder, salt, and Italian seasoning to the bowl.
- Use your hands to mix all the ingredients.
- Use a cookie scooper or two spoons to make the meatballs and roll them in between your hands to make it smooth.
- Place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Bake in the oven for 20 minutes.
- Place the marinara in the a large pot along with the cooked meatballs over high heat.
- Once the marinara starts bubbling, place the lid on top of the pot and turn down the heat to medium-low.
- Allow to simmer for another 15 minutes.
Tips
- Simmering the meatballs in the marinara for the 15 minutes really helps the carrots cook through. The first time I made these, I skipped this part and my kids didn’t like the “crunch.” Simmering the meatballs in the marinara softens the hidden veggies and makes the less detectable!
Enjoy!! xo
YES! This was the best, our veg inside was not fully soft but it added a lovely crunch to the perfectly cooked meatball! Great way to sneak in the veg for kiddo and husband.
Never had the same quantity of the T-sauce, so I winged it a little bit. But a great combination of flavours. Not to mention how super easy and simple it is. Have made it more than once!
★★★★★
Yay! I love sneaking some veggies in there! Sending love!! xo
My girls said these were their favorite meatball as ever! My older daughter took a meatball sub the next day to school! Thank you!!
★★★★★
Ahh I’m so happy they loved them!! xo