Beef and quinoa meatballs are a delicious and nutritious twist on traditional meatballs, adding the goodness of quinoa to the mix. Quinoa provides added protein and a pleasant texture to the meatballs. Here’s a simple recipe for making beef and quinoa meatballs:
Ingredients:
For the Meatballs:
- 1 pound lean ground beef (ground turkey or chicken can also be used)
- 1 cup cooked quinoa (cooled)
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs (panko or regular)
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup finely chopped onion
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Olive oil (for cooking)
For the Tomato Sauce:
- 1 can (14 ounces) crushed tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
1. Cook Quinoa:
- Cook the quinoa according to the package instructions. Let it cool completely.
2. Prepare the Tomato Sauce:
- In a saucepan, combine the crushed tomatoes, dried basil, dried oregano, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Heat the sauce over low heat, stirring occasionally, while you prepare the meatballs.
3. Make the Meatball Mixture:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, cooked quinoa, breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, chopped onion, minced garlic, chopped parsley, egg, dried oregano, salt, and pepper. Mix until all the ingredients are well combined.
4. Shape the Meatballs:
- Use your hands to form the mixture into meatballs of your desired size. Typically, meatballs are around 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter.
5. Cook the Meatballs:
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add a drizzle of olive oil. Place the meatballs in the skillet, leaving space between them to avoid overcrowding.
- Cook the meatballs for about 4-5 minutes on each side, or until they are browned and cooked through. You may need to cook them in batches if your skillet isn’t large enough.
6. Simmer in Sauce:
- Once the meatballs are cooked, transfer them to the saucepan with the tomato sauce. Allow them to simmer in the sauce for about 10-15 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the meatballs to absorb some of the sauce.
7. Serve:
- Serve the beef and quinoa meatballs with the tomato sauce over cooked quinoa, pasta, or with a side of crusty bread. Garnish with additional grated Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley if desired.
Enjoy your homemade beef and quinoa meatballs with a flavorful tomato sauce. The quinoa adds a lovely texture and nutritional value to this classic dish.