Skinny – Big Meatballs

Big……..A$$……I mean the meatballs of course!…This recipe’s name is a family – running joke every time I make them!

These meatballs are low in fat since they’re made with Turkey and a small amount of cheese instead of ground beef.

Sometimes cooking meatballs is a chore because they stick to the pan, burn, or are under cooked, but you’ll love this cooking technique.

They’re baked in your oven, not on the stove top, like the conventional way so they come out moist and juicy!

They’re perfect for a lazy Sunday, or a company diner because you can make them ahead of time, store them in the refrigerator and continue the cooking process one hour before your ready to serve your meal.

Enjoy!

 

 

 

 

Ingredients:

Meatballs

• 3 lbs ground Turkey
  

• 3/4 cup Italian Bread Crumbs

• 1 slice wheat bread (shred with a cheese shredder)
  

• 3 eggs

• 1 medium onion chopped

• 1 tsp salt

• 1 tsp black pepper

• 1 tsp dried oregeno

• 1 tsp dried basil

• 1 tsp garlic powder

• 3 tbsp any tomato sauce

• 1/4 cup shredded Pecorino cheese

• 1/2 cup olive oil

RECIPE TIP: Never buy pre- shredded Parmesan or Pecorino cheese in the cans. Go to the cheese section at your grocery store and buy it by the whole chunk and keep it wrapped in your refrigerator. It’s much cheaper and much fresher because you can shred it as you need.

Sauce ingredients:

• 2  28 oz cans of crushed tomatoes (preferably with basil or garlic)

• 1 medium chopped onion

• 1 tsp salt

• 1 tsp garlic powder

• 1 tsp dried Oregano

• 1 tsp dried Basil

• 1/2 cup Shredded Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 tsp sugar (optional)

Instructions:

Saute 1 onion in 1/4 cup of the Olive Oil until golden in a small skillet and set aside to cool. Meanwhile, place all the meatball ingredients in a large bowl.

I use a cheese crater to shred the slice of bread but you can dice it into very small cubes. (Using fresh bread crumbs makes the meatballs moister). Mix all ingredients until all incorporated but not too mushy. Form the meatballs using the insides of your palms to size between golf balls and baseballs.

Brown the meatballs in the remaining Olive Oil in large skillet until golden brown.

Place the meatballs in a large deep dish baking pan. Add all of the sauce ingredients except the cheese to the meatball pan. Stir the sauce to mix all the ingredients well. Top the meatballs with the cheese.

Cover with foil leaving a small opening for steam to escape and let them cook at 350 degrees for 45-60 minutes depending on the size of the meatballs. *Note: After 30 minutes remove from oven and stir the sauce well.

Return to oven and let cook for another 15-30 minutes. *Note: Take one meatball out of the oven after 45 minutes and check to see if it’s cooked through. Let them rest in the pan for about 5-10 minutes so the sauce thickens.

P.S. They’re even better the next day so make a double batch!