High Protein Classic Italian Meatballs

Elevate your weeknight dinner with these High Protein Classic Italian Meatballs, a wholesome twist on a beloved comfort food. Made with a flavorful blend of lean ground beef and savory Italian sausage, this recipe swaps traditional fillers for nutrient-packed quinoa, delivering an extra protein boost while staying tender and delicious. Infused with garlic, fresh parsley, and a hint of parmesan, each meatball is seared to golden perfection before simmering in rich marinara sauce for ultimate flavor. Perfect over pasta or paired with roasted vegetables, these meatballs come together in just 45 minutes and are an ideal protein-packed meal for the whole family.

Nutriscore Rating: 64/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 500 grams lean ground beef
• 250 grams Italian sausage, casings removed
• 100 grams cooked quinoa
• 1 large egg
• 50 grams parmesan cheese, grated
• 60 grams breadcrumbs
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 30 grams fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1.5 teaspoons salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 800 milliliters marinara sauce

Directions

Step 1

In a large mixing bowl, combine the lean ground beef, Italian sausage, cooked quinoa, egg, grated parmesan cheese, breadcrumbs, minced garlic, chopped parsley, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly using your hands until completely combined.

Step 2

Shape the mixture into meatballs, about 1.5 inches in diameter, and place them on a tray. You should have around 18-20 meatballs depending on size.

Step 3

Heat olive oil over medium heat in a large skillet. Once the oil is hot, add the meatballs in batches, ensuring not to overcrowd the pan.

Step 4

Brown the meatballs on all sides, which should take about 6-8 minutes per batch. They do not need to be cooked through at this stage as they will finish cooking in the sauce.

Step 5

As each batch is browned, transfer the meatballs to a plate lined with a paper towel to drain excess oil.

Step 6

In the same skillet, add the marinara sauce and bring it to a simmer over medium heat.

Step 7

Gently add the browned meatballs to the simmering sauce, ensuring they are fully submerged.

Step 8

Cover and let the meatballs cook in the sauce for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until they are cooked through and the internal temperature reaches 74°C (165°F).

Step 9

Serve hot, over pasta or with a side of roasted vegetables, garnished with additional parsley and parmesan if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1907.9g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2941.2

Total Fat 197.6g	0%
Saturated Fat 64.7g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 5.9g
Cholesterol 769.3mg	0%
Sodium 8931.8mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 105.4g	0%
Dietary Fiber 13.1g	0%
Total Sugars 21.8g
Protein 184.4g	0%

Vitamin D 53.8IU	0%
Calcium 815.7mg	0%
Iron 24.3mg	0%
Potassium 1089.5mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 60.5%

Protein: 25.1%

Carbs: 14.4%