We all know how difficult it is to get our children to eat vegetables. When it comes to our kids’ diets, we want them to have the most delicious and nutrient dense foods going into their bodies. However, that can be hard when you have a picky eater. That is when these veggie packed meatballs come into play. The goal is to sneak vegetables into diets without the kids noticing. These Toddler Meatballs with Veggies will be a crowd pleaser. Not only for kids but for adults as well! Let’s jump into this killer recipe.
Another dish coming at your hot that is a crowd pleaser and packed full of vegetables. These veggie packed meatballs can be whipped up in a matter of 40 minutes! If you want to get the meal done quicker meal prep these meatballs and store them in the freezer until you are ready to cook them.
My kids are obsessed with meatballs. Meatballs are something that I could cook several times a week and my kids would be THRILLED. For as much as they love meatballs, I still struggle to get the correct serving size of vegetables into their diet. For toddlers they should be having about 1 tablespoon of vegetables for each year of age.
With a toddler that fights me to eat any sort of vegetable this is an AMAZING way to get them into their diets. Not only are these meatballs nutrient dense and benefits the body but also, they are so juicy and delicious! You will have the whole fam. screaming for more!
What you’ll need to make Toddler Meatballs with Veggies
This is a Wholesome and easy recipe that has so many ingredients that will benefit the body. The best part about it is that it is all so flavorful that my kids don’t even notice that they are eating a nutrient dense meal. it is my goal to fuel our bodies with ingredients that will benefit our bodies and not hurt the body.
With being a stay-at-home mom, I really do not have time to do much research on ingredients. I was tired of going to the store, reading the nutrition label and seeing all the harmful ingredients that was in some of the sauces, canned items, and baking items. I wanted to make sure all my condiments, cereals, and baked goods were all clean and organic. That is when I discovered Thrive Market. Thrive Market is an online grocery store that delivers groceries right to your door in just a couple of days. If you are wanting 40% off your first order. Shop the link here!
- 1.3 LB Ground Pork Sausage
- 1.3 LB Ground Turkey
- 1 Cup Carrots
- 2 Cups Baby Kale Loosely Packed. You can also use spinach, zucchini, broccoli
- 5 Cloves Garlic Minced
- 1/2 Tsp Onion Powder
- 1/2 Tsp Garlic Powder
- 1 Tsp Italian Seasoning
- Salt & Pepper to taste
- 14 OZ Tomato Sauce
- 1 Egg
See recipe card for quantities.
Not into Sausage?
Not into sausage? No big deal. Below are some substitutions!
You are more than welcome to add more ground turkey! Do what best serves you and your family!
- Turkey Sausage
- Chicken Sausage
- Ground Turkey
- Ground Chicken
More ways to make it your own.
Have a certain vegetable you want to use up? Broccoli, spinach, or more carrots. Use whatever you have on hand. Use whatever vegetables are your favorite or your kids favorite! These are just the vegetables that I prefer!
Simple Instructions to make the meatballs.
Here we go with something super simple that you just simply throw together and mix. This season of my lifetime is of the essence so if there is a way, I can simplify something in my life…I am going to do it. Especially when I have three kids that are 3, 2 & 1 running around! HA
- Throw the vegetables into the food processor: First we want to chop up the vegetables to make sure they are so tiny that the kids will not even notice!
- Toss in the meat and the seasonings in: Then we will toss in the meat and the seasonings into the food processor so then everything blends smoothly together.
- Roll into balls: Roll the meatballs into small balls. (Should roughly make about 20 meatballs.)
- Place on parchment paper and bake for about 20 minutes: Bake the meatballs for about 20 minutes on 425F.
- Serve and enjoy! Eat the meatballs as is or serve them with delicious pasta!
Secret to success on making these meatballs
- A food processor would probably work best to blend everything smoothly. However, you can also use a blender as well. The goal is to really make the vegetables all the same consistency. This is key.
- DO NOT TRY TO ADD MORE VEGETABLES. Toddlers/ kids are smart. They can sniff out a vegetable instantly. The 1 cup of vegetables that is added to this recipe is enough nutrients to fuel the body and not a crazy amount that your kids will notice that there are vegetables in their meatballs.
- To make the meatballs even more tender, simmer them in a marinara sauce.
- Though we are trying to sneak vegetables into our kids’ diets, I would be honest with them and inform them that yes, we have vegetables in the meatballs, but they will not even notice! Make it a fun activity that you and the kids can do together!
Storing & reheating tips
Store any leftover cheesy spinach beef pasta in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3-5 days. To reheat simply do so in a microwave safe dish or you can also reheat them in the oven setting the oven on 350F for about 20 minutes.
Can I freeze the meatballs?
I would not survive if I could not freeze my meals. Normally if I am making something my family loves I double or triple the batch and put some in the freezer for the following week so that is one night I do not have to cook!
So, I will follow the directions listed above, I will pour it into a glass plan, let it cool down, place saran wrap over the meal, then a layer of aluminum foil. I will make sure it is sealed nice and tight and store it in the freezer up to 6 months!
More comfort foods to try
Dump and Bake Meatball Casserole
Ingredients
- 16 OZ Pasta Jovial Brand
- 24 OZ Marinara Sauce
- 3 Cups Water
- 14 OZ Meatballs
- 2 Cups Mozzarella Cheese
- 1 Cup Shredded Carrots Optional
Instructions
- In a 9×13 inch casserole pan dump in the uncooked pasta, marinara sauce, water, and meatballs.
- Cover the dish tightly with foil and bake in the oven at 425 degrees for 35-40 minutes
- Remove the cover, stir the pasta, and sprinkle the mozzarella cheese on top.
- Place the dish back into the oven for about couple minutes or until the cheese is melted and he pasta is tender.
- Serve & Enjoy!
What type of quick recipe is your favorite?
Do you have a simple, quick, and delicious recipe you use weekly? Let me know down below in the comments some of your favorite recipe!
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