Healthy Meatballs in Marinara Sauce is a filling meal all with hidden veggies in the meatballs and sauce for extra nourishment for those picky eaters in your house.  

Ready for a filling meal that is packed with extra nutrients nobody can see?  My healthy Meatballs in Marinara Sauce are just the ticket! A healthy meal that just happens to be Paleo & Whole30 friendly too.  With this recipe you can have dinner ready in just under an hour or have it meal prepped and waiting for any busy weeknight meal.  

Healthy Meatballs in Marinara Sauce is a meal for the whole family.  Butternut squash is added to the marinara sauce to thicken it up and also add more veggies.  The Baked Veggie Loaded Meatballs also have (as the name says) veggies, carrots and spinach! More nutrients added and more vegetables for kids!  Win win in my book!

Let’s talk freezer friendly for a second.  Both the Baked Veggie Loaded Meatballs and the Butternut Squash Marinara Sauce are prime recipes for stocking that freezer with healthy meals.  Freeze them in separate containers and when a busy night arrives, pull them from the freezer and heat up. Dinner in under 30 minutes!

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Healthy Meatballs in Marinara Sauce

Prep Time

15 mins

Cook Time

45 mins

Total Time

1 hr

 

Course: Main Course

Servings: 8 servings

Author: anaankeny.com

Ingredients

Butternut Squash Marinara Sauce

• 1 jar marinara sauce, read labels
• 1 cup butternut squash, cooked
• 2-3 leaves fresh basil

Baked Veggie Loaded Meatballs

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 lb ground pork, turkey or bison
• 3 medium carrots, peeled and cut into thirds
• 2 heaping handfuls of spinach
• 1 small onion, peeled and cut in half
• 2 garlic cloves
• 1/2 tsp sea salt
• 1/4 tsp ground pepper

Instructions

Butternut Squash Marinara Sauce

1. In a medium saucepan combine all three ingredients. Heat over medium-low heat for 7-10 minutes. Stirring every few minutes to avoid splatter.

Baked Veggie Loaded Meatballs

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Prep 9x13 baking dish with lining with parchment paper.

2. Place the carrots, spinach, onion and garlic in food processor and process for 1-2 minutes or until everything is in very small pieces.
   

3. Mix all ingredients together in a large mixing bowl. 

4. Scoop out a small handful of mixture (golf-ball sized) and roll into a ball. Place in the prepared baking dish.

5. Bake in the oven for 35-45 minutes or until meatballs are cooked through.
   

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Quick & Easy Unstuffed Pepper Bowl

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Paleo Sloppy Joe’s with Pumpkin