Onepot 30Minute Zoodles and Meatballs
Recipe Introduction
Ever get that craving for spaghetti and meatballs but dread the washing up? Oh my gosh, me too! That's why I’m obsessed with this Recipe: One-Pot 30-Minute Zoodles and Meatballs .
It's proper comfort food but without the mountain of dishes! The best part? The zoodles are so refreshing and light, adding a lovely texture contrast to the rich sauce and hearty meatballs.
Quick and Easy Zoodle Magic
This one-pot zoodles recipe gives you tender zucchini noodles and savoury meatballs in a delicious tomato sauce. It's healthy, quick, and totally satisfying. Plus, it’s ready in just 30 minutes!
From Italy to Your Kitchen
This dish takes its inspiration from classic Italian American comfort food. I think it's a simple version of the traditional favorite.
This easy zoodle recipes is perfect for a busy weeknight. It serves four hungry people and takes hardly any effort at all.
Healthy and Delicious in One Pot
Spiralized zucchini is packed with vitamins and fibre. This makes it a healthier alternative to pasta. It's a fantastic way to sneak in extra veggies.
This healthy one-pot meals option is ideal for families. Perfect for a quick midweek meal when you cba with a massive cooking operation.
Looking for ground beef and zoodle recipe ideas? This is it! What makes this version special is the combination of rich tomato sauce, juicy meatballs, and fresh zucchini zoodles .
It’s a flavour explosion in every bite, and honestly, the easy cleanup is a major bonus. Let's get cooking!
Ingredients & Equipment for Spot-On Zoodles
Right, let's talk ingredients for our Recipe: One-Pot 30-Minute Zoodles and Meatballs . This is where the magic happens, innit? No need for posh stuff, just good quality basics.
Main Ingredients Breakdown
For the Meatballs:
- You'll need 1 lb (450g) of ground beef . Go for an 80/20 blend. It’s got enough fat to keep things juicy. Trust me on this one.
- Grab 1/4 cup (30g) of breadcrumbs . Plain ones, nothing fancy. These help bind the meatballs.
- 1/4 cup (60ml) of milk . Any milk will do. Full fat keeps your meatballs nice and moist.
- One egg, lightly beaten. 1 large egg .
- And 1 tbsp (15ml) of grated Parmesan cheese . Plus extra for serving, because why not?
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning .
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder .
- Salt and pepper to taste. Don't be shy with the seasoning!
For the Sauce & Zoodles:
- 1 tbsp (15ml) of olive oil .
- 1 medium onion , chopped. That's about 1 cup.
- 2 cloves of garlic , minced. Gotta have garlic, right?
- 1 (28 oz) can (794g) of crushed tomatoes . San Marzano if you're feeling fancy!
- 1 (15 oz) can (425g) of tomato sauce .
- 1 tsp of dried oregano .
- 1/2 tsp of red pepper flakes . Optional, but adds a nice kick.
- 2 medium zucchini . Spiralized into Zucchini Zoodles . Aim for about 4 cups.
- Fresh basil for garnish.
- Salt and pepper to taste.
Seasoning Notes: Flavour Bombs
Italian seasoning is your best mate here. Oregano is essential. Red pepper flakes will add a fiery edge.
For substitutions, dried herbs work a treat if you don't have fresh ones. If you don't have Italian seasoning you can use thyme, rosemary and oregano.
Equipment Needed: Kitchen Essentials
You really don't need much kit for this one-pot wonder. A large skillet or Dutch oven with a lid is essential.
If you're doing spiralized zucchini yourself, then you'll need a spiralizer. Or even a vegetable peeler if you're careful.
There you have it! All you need to make some smashing ground beef and zoodle recipe .
Cooking Method
Alright, let's get down to business with the "One-Pot 30-Minute Zoodles and Meatballs"! Honestly, who has time to spend hours in the kitchen these days? This one-pot zoodles recipe is a game changer.
Trust me, this will be your new go-to dish for those crazy weeknights. We are focusing on cooking zoodles using simmering method!
Prep Steps: Getting Your Ducks in a Row
First things first, essential mise en place is key. Chop your onion, mince the garlic, and get those zucchini zoodles spiralized.
Measure out all your spices and have that can of crushed tomatoes ready to roll. This recipe is very easy, and you will want to measure the ingredient before the cooking starts!
This isn't about being fussy, it's about being efficient. As for time saving organization tips , I like to prep everything while the kettle's boiling for my tea.
Multi tasking for the win! The best is to have all your ingredients measured out!
Safety reminders : Just a quick one: watch those fingers when you're spiralizing the spiralized zucchini ! Don't want any accidents.
step-by-step Process: Easy Peasy
- Mix your ground beef, breadcrumbs, milk, egg, Parmesan, and spices. Don't overmix, or those meatballs will be tough as old boots!
- Roll 'em into 1 inch meatballs.
- Sauté chopped onion in olive oil over medium heat until softened, about 5 minutes . Add garlic and cook for another 1 minute , till fragrant.
- Brown the meatballs on all sides. This is where the magic happens, people! The browning is key for extra flavor.
- Pour in crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, oregano, and red pepper flakes (if you fancy a bit of a kick). Bring to a simmer.
- Cover and simmer on low for 10 minutes , until the meatballs are cooked through, internal temperature reaching 160° F ( 71° C) .
- Stir in your zucchini noodles ( Zucchini Zoodles ). Cover and cook for only 2- 3 minutes , until tender crisp. You don't want soggy zoodles!
- Serve immediately with fresh basil and extra Parmesan.
Pro Tips: Level Up Your Zoodle Game
Want to really nail this? Here are a few of my secrets.
Don't overcrowd the pan when browning the meatballs. Work in batches if you need to. This gives them a proper sear and seals in the flavor.
A common mistake to avoid : overcooking the zoodles. Nobody wants mushy noodles, you know? Keep an eye on them and take them off the heat while they still have a bit of bite.
If you want to make-ahead options , you can prep the meatballs and sauce ahead of time. Just store them separately in the fridge, and combine them when you're ready to cook.
And that's it. Honestly, this ground beef and zoodle recipe is so simple, even I can't mess it up and the best part is that it is a 30-minute meals with zoodles , so you don't have to spend hours on it! So, give it a go and let me know what you think.
This is the healthy one-pot meals recipe you've been waiting for. Enjoy!
Recipe Notes: Cracking the Code to Zoodle Perfection
Alright, let's talk shop about this Recipe: One-Pot 30-Minute Zoodles and Meatballs . honestly, it's one of those dinners that makes you feel like you've properly adulted, even if you're just wearing pyjamas.
These notes will level up your One-pot zoodles recipe game!
Serving Suggestions: Get Your Zoodle On!
Presentation, innit? Plating this dish is a piece of cake. Serve it in a nice bowl, garnish with basil, and sprinkle with Parmesan.
For sides, think crusty bread. You know, for soaking up all that lovely sauce. A simple salad is another great shout.
You can even add ricotta if you're feeling fancy!
Storage Tips: Keeping Those Zoodles Fresh
Listen up, because nobody likes soggy Zucchini Zoodles . Fridge wise, this keeps well for up to 3 days. Just make sure to store it in an airtight container.
Freezing? Yeah, you can freeze the meatballs and sauce, but the Cooking Zoodles will get a bit mushy. Reheating is a breeze in the microwave or on the hob.
Variations: Zoodle Twists and Turns
Fancy a change? You can easily adapt this. For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free breadcrumbs for the meatballs. You can even swap out the Zucchini Noodle for yellow squash or butternut squash noodles.
Try out spiralized Zucchini instead!. Honestly the variations you can make are endless!. You can also try out ground chicken for a lighter Ground beef and zoodle recipe .
I've done it with turkey mince too, its lush!
Nutrition Basics: Goodness in a Bowl
Let's be real, this is a pretty healthy dinner. You're getting a good dose of protein from the meatballs and vitamins from the Zucchini .
Each serving racks up around 350 calories, with 30g protein, 20g fat and 15g carbs. It's a great way to sneak some extra veggies into your diet, and a healthy one-pot meals dinner is always a winner!.
So there you have it! These notes are your secret weapon for making the most amazing Zoodles and meatballs recipe . It really is that simple. Get cooking, enjoy and don't stress!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make "Recipe: One-Pot 30-Minute Zoodles and" ahead of time?
You can indeed! The sauce and meatballs can be made a day or two in advance and stored in the fridge. When you're ready to serve, simply reheat the sauce and meatballs, then add the zoodles at the very end, just before serving.
This stops the zoodles from becoming a soggy mess, like something you'd find at a bad school canteen.
My zoodles always end up watery. What am I doing wrong?
Ah, the dreaded watery zoodles! They can be a right pain. Zucchini is mostly water, so the key is to not overcook them. Only add them at the very end and cook for just 2-3 minutes until they're tender crisp. Some chefs even salt them beforehand and let them sit on paper towels to draw out some of the moisture.
Give it a try!
Can I freeze "Recipe: One-Pot 30-Minute Zoodles and"?
Freezing this dish isn't ideal, unfortunately. The zoodles tend to get quite mushy after thawing. You can freeze the meatballs and sauce separately, though. Just make sure they're completely cooled before popping them in a freezer safe container. Then, when you're ready to enjoy, thaw, reheat, and add fresh zoodles.
I don't have a spiralizer. Can I still make this recipe?
Absolutely! A spiralizer definitely makes lovely zoodles, but you can use a vegetable peeler to create wide ribbons. Or, if you're feeling really retro, you can just chop the zucchini into small matchsticks. It won't be exactly the same, but it'll still taste delicious, just like Mum used to make it.
Is "Recipe: One-Pot 30-Minute Zoodles and" healthy? What are the nutritional benefits?
This recipe is a cracking option if you're after something lighter and nutritious. Zucchini is low in calories and carbs, and packed with vitamins. Using lean ground beef will keep the fat content reasonable, and the tomatoes are a good source of antioxidants.
Watch the salt content of your canned tomatoes though - like many sauces they can be a bit cheeky!
Can I adapt "Recipe: One-Pot 30-Minute Zoodles and" for a vegetarian diet?
Sure thing, going veggie with this is easy peasy! Just swap out the meatballs for a tin of chickpeas or white beans. Add them to the pan with the zoodles for the last few minutes of cooking to heat them through. A sprinkle of vegetarian parmesan and some fresh basil will finish it off nicely. Bob's your uncle!
Onepot 30minute Zoodles And Meatballs
Ingredients:
Instructions:
Nutrition Facts:
| Calories | 350 calories |
|---|---|
| Fat | 20g |
| Fiber | 3g |
