Zucchini meatballs are a delicious and healthy alternative to traditional meatballs. They can be served as a main dish with pasta or rice, or as an appetizer. This delicious Zucchini meatballs recipe is packed with flavor! We’ve also included our homemade pasta sauce recipe below.
Baked Zucchini Meatballs in Homemade Pasta Sauce
Looking for a way to incorporate more veggies into your meal? Zucchini adds moisture and a subtle sweetness to this meatball recipe, while also providing a source of vitamins and minerals. This is a dish your whole family will enjoy!
Measurements with easy to follow printable directions are at the end of the post.
Ingredients for zucchini meatballs:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 pound Jimmy Dean ground sausage
- 1 large zucchini shredded
- 1 small sweet onion finely shredded
- 1 cup pork rinds crushed
- 1/4 cup whole milk
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 2 eggs
Related Recipes: Cheesy Ground Beef Pasta, Bacon & Bleu Cheese Stuffed Burger Bombs, Swedish Meatballs, Ultimate Party Meatballs
Directions:
- Before you begin, grate the zucchini and remove excess liquid. Using a food processor with a fine shred blade, shred the zucchini. Next, place the zucchini in a fine mesh strainer, and place it in the sink to let it rest for 10-15 minutes. Using paper towels, press the zucchini to remove the liquid. It might take 2-3 times but get as much liquid as you can out.
- Preheat oven to 400°F.
- In a large mixing bowl add ground beef, sausage, zucchini, onion, crushed pork rinds, milk, parmesan cheese, salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, Worcestershire sauce, and eggs. Using your hands mix the ingredients all together. The mixture will be moist but not too wet or sticky. Roll mixture into balls and place on a baking sheet or in a glass Pyrex baking dish.
- Place in the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, until lightly golden. Do not overbake or the meatballs will dry out.
- While the meatballs are cooking start the sauce.
Ingredients for homemade pasta sauce:
- 1 tbsp avocado oil (or olive oil)
- 1/2 small sweet onion, diced
- 2-3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1-28 oz can crushed tomatoes (no salt added)
- 1-14.5 oz can diced tomatoes Basil, garlic & oregano (no salt added)
- 1-6 oz can tomato paste (no salt added)
- 1/2 tsp Better Than Bouillon beef paste
- 1/2 tsp Better Than Bouillon chicken paste
- 1 cup hot water
Directions for sauce:
- In a large saucepan, heat the oil on medium heat, add the onions, and cook for 5 minutes, until the onions are transparent and tender. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute.
- Add the crushed, diced and tomato paste, stir and mix all together.
- Add Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, bouillon pastes, and water. Stir, cover with lid, and let the sauce simmer.
- Serve with meatballs as an appetizer, or over cooked pasta.
Print the Baked Zucchini Meatballs and Homemade Pasta Sauce Recipes below!
Baked Zucchini Meatballs
Zucchini meatballs are a delicious and healthy alternative to traditional meatballs. They can be served as a main dish with pasta or rice, or as an appetizer.
Ingredients
1 pound ground beef, 1 pound Jimmy Dean ground sausage, 1 large zucchini shredded, 1 small sweet onion finely shredded, 1 cup pork rinds crushed, 1/4 cup whole milk, 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese, 1 tsp kosher salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, 2 tsp Italian seasoning, 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce, 2 eggs
Instructions
Before you begin, grate the zucchini and remove excess liquid. Using a food processor with a fine shred blade, shred the zucchini. Next, place the zucchini in a fine mesh strainer, and place it in the sink to let it rest for 10-15 minutes. Using paper towels, press the zucchini to remove the liquid. It might take 2-3 times but get as much liquid as you can out. Preheat oven to 400°F. In a large mixing bowl add ground beef, sausage, zucchini, onion, crushed pork rinds, milk, parmesan cheese, salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, Worcestershire sauce, and eggs. Using your hands mix the ingredients all together. The mixture will be moist but not too wet or sticky. Roll mixture into balls and place on a baking sheet or in a glass Pyrex baking dish. Place in the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, until lightly golden. Do not overbake or the meatballs will dry out. While the meatballs are cooking start the sauce.
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