Posted by Brittany Thomas | Oct 5, 2015
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These deliciously simple meatballs are seriously the best meatballs! Super easy to make. I like to make a bunch, freeze them, and then heat a few up for my kids’ lunches!
I am always on the lookout for ways to increase my kids calories with nutrient dense foods. For awhile their lunches were doing well but kids grow… and they need more calories.
Sigh. It’s never ending.
You think you figure it all out and then suddenly they are eating even more!I seriously wonder sometimes how in the world, I’ll be able to feed them enough!
We started adding grains to their lunches to help fill in the calorie gaps because grains are one of the easiest and cheapest ways to up those calories… but I prefer limiting our grains so I started searching for a easy replacement.
I wanted to increase my children’s protein intake anyway because my kids are always on the tiny side of things so we swapped the nutrient lacking grains for protein packed meatballs.
But not just any meatballs, deliciously simple meatballs because when you are cooking for so many kids, you need simple!
Of course, these meatballs are not just limited to kid food!
These deliciously simple meatballs can be used for spaghetti and meatballs, sweetish meatballs, even those appetizer meatballs covered in sauce!
Most meatball recipes use some grain as a filler. Most of the time that means breadcrumbs but I’ve seen oats and other grains as well.
As I mentioned, I was looking to decrease our grains so I wanted a meatball without the grain filler.
There are a few meatball recipes out there that fit the bill, usually titled paleo meatballs.
I’m not paleo but it is nice to know that I can count of paleo recipes to fit my nutrient packed requirements.
After checking out a few recipes and tweaking my meatball batches, these deliciously simple meatballs were born.
Whether you are trying to eat grain free, gluten free, whole30, paleo, or even keto… these grain free meatballs fit the bill! So make a great big batch and enjoy!
You can even feel ok passing them off to your friends who are eating a more standard diet and they will still think these meatballs are delicious!
Also, as I mentioned I need easy meals for all these kids I’m feeding so what I like to do is make large batches of meatballs.
It ends up looking a bit like an Italian kitchen in my house! I cook a few batches of meatballs, and then I freeze them!
When we need meatballs for a meal, I open the freezer and pull out a bag of frozen meatballs. I take out however many I need and then heat them back up! So simple!
Need a different variation? Try my Taco Meatballs which are also grain free!
Deliciously Simple Meatballs
1 egg
1 tbs minced garlic
1 lb ground beef – organic and grass-fed preferably
1 tsp salt or onion salt
1/2 tsp paprika
1 tsp Italian seasoning
Directions:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In medium bowl, add all ingredients.
Mix ingredients until fully incorporated (you will likely need to use your hands).
Divide mixture into 16 pieces and shape into meatballs.
Place on to a rimmed baking sheet.
Cook for 20 minutes.
Serve or freeze for later!
Looking for more Whole30, Paleo, or Keto recipes?
Taco Meatballs
Carrot Fries (not keto)
Sweet Potato Rice
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About The Author
Brittany Thomas
A mother to five kids, Brittany began her journey of living naturally because she wanted the best for her kids. She blogs at The Pistachio Project in order to share what she learns with others. When she is not blogging, you can find Brittany making elderberry syrup, whipping up yet another batch of sunbutter, or drinking her fourth cup of tea.
29 Comments
Suzanne Holt - Norwex Independent Sales Consultant on October 6, 2015 at 7:18 pm
These look amazing! WOW! Cannot wait to try them!
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Kelly - Simple Life Mom on October 14, 2015 at 2:09 pm
I am ALL about simple!! Thanks for the great recipes and for sharing it on the Hoemestead Blog Hop! I hope we see you there again today. Pinning!!
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Raia on October 15, 2015 at 4:41 pm
Lots of kids… delicious… simple… You're speaking my language. haha. Thanks for sharing these at Savoring Saturdays, Brittany – I'm featuring them at this weekend's party. Hope to see you back!
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Marla Gates on December 5, 2015 at 2:04 pm
This meatballs look delicious and I love that you use grass fed beef. I only eat and buy from a local farmer grass fed myself. Thanks for sharing on Real Food Fridays. Pinned & tweeted.
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Deborah Dahl on July 19, 2019 at 1:30 pm
Wow this is so simple. I have multiple health issues and the Doctor put me on a Gluten Free diet. But then you have to cook for the Hubby. He will never know the difference. Thank You for making my life a lot easier at meal time.
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Carol L on December 31, 2016 at 8:28 pm
I like to use several types of meat in my meatballs, and they are absolutely the BEST. The last time I made them, I used Buffalo, beef, chicken, lamb and turkey. I froze several and they were the best meatballs ever! I didn’t add any filler, either, just the meatballs and seasonings, much like yours here. I suggest you try using several types of meat in yours, you’ll be surprised at the difference.
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Kaaryn on September 30, 2017 at 3:04 pm
Holy cow! These were so good.!
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heather on January 9, 2018 at 11:58 am
I’m glad I came across this. For some reason I have it in the back of my mind that meatballs are labor intensive and take forever. Not sure why but these look super easy to whip up and freeze. Definitely going in the meal rotation.
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Gina on January 21, 2018 at 6:15 am
I want to try these, they look so good! Do you think it would work without egg? My daughter is allergic.
Thanks!Reply
Brittany Thomas on January 21, 2018 at 2:11 pm
You definitely can make them without eggs. You may want to play with an egg substitute (gelatin egg or chia seed egg) just to help bind things better.
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Lori on January 21, 2018 at 2:32 pm
Absolutely delicious!! My new favorite meatball! Thanks for sharing your recipe!
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Barbie on July 13, 2018 at 4:24 pm
How would it work with ground turkey instead if beef?
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Brittany Thomas on July 14, 2018 at 9:46 pm
Yes, it should. It is possible that it won’t be quite as moist but I’ve definitely made chicken meatballs before with this recipe.
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Ellen on July 15, 2018 at 3:54 pm
Do you serve these as is? Or do you add a spaghetti sauce to go with them? Wondering if these would serve well, as is, at a baby shower I’m hosting…
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Brittany Thomas on July 15, 2018 at 3:59 pm
You could serve them as is…. I’m not sure that I’ve ever attended an event where plain meatballs were served. Spaghetti sauce obviously goes well with them as does the standard sweet/sour sauce. Maybe plain with some sort of mustard for dipping?
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Garlic Girl on July 23, 2018 at 10:01 pm
I just had family come in town. We knew they would be hungry.We didn’t want the standard ground beef spaghetti or hamburgers. Saw your recipe with sides of rice and vegetables. It was a HIT!!! Everybody loved them! Thank you.
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April Bowen on September 24, 2018 at 7:20 pm
Can I put these in the fridge overnight, or is it best to freeze them? I want to make them at night to add to my spaghetti sauce the following night.
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Brittany Thomas on September 25, 2018 at 9:48 am
You can definitely put them in the fridge overnight!
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Karen on March 4, 2019 at 7:53 am
Thanks! I love simple, healthy dishes that kids would like!
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Ellen on March 7, 2019 at 1:28 pm
Can I omit the egg for allergy? Will still be great yoh think?
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Brittany Thomas on March 7, 2019 at 4:56 pm
I think you can omit the egg. It might just end up being a bit more dense of a meatball.
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Gracie on July 17, 2019 at 1:57 pm
Thanks for sharing your recipe. Had to tweak it a bit I omit minced garlic and onion salt. Just added garlic salt pinch each of fennel seed and anise seeds. It’s a keeper! Keep up the good work
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Jennifer W. on July 29, 2019 at 5:21 pm
These look great! I am about to make two batches and freeze them for later. How long would you say these stay good for in the freezer?
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Brittany Thomas on July 31, 2019 at 4:09 pm
I’d say they’d be good for 3 months (that’s per USDA)
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Bella Hardy @ Healthnerdy.com on August 1, 2019 at 3:46 am
Absolutely love your creative idea with meatballs! As you know I made it a short while ago and it was lovely! Thx, Brittany for sharing!
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Alice L Shockley on February 4, 2020 at 6:37 pm
These are really good! We are doing Whole30 and used 2 pounds of venison and 1 pound of 80/20 ground beef. Freezing them for other meals! Great recipe, thank you!
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Emily Denise on September 21, 2020 at 6:14 pm
I added some basil and a handful of cheese and they came out amazing! Thank you. I couldn’t figure out how to add a picture.
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Michelle on January 24, 2021 at 9:53 am
I’ve made this several times. I’m always amazed at how much the family loves this simple recipe!
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Beth K on March 7, 2021 at 7:43 pm
These were amazing. So easy to make and such a great flavor. Thank you!
Reply
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