“Spaghetti” and Spicy Meatballs

When you taste this recipe, you won’t even miss regular pasta noodles. The zucchini has a mild flavor that serves as the perfect vehicle for the sauce and meatballs.

Serves: 4Hands-on: 20 minutesTotal: 40 minutesDifficulty: Easy

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Serves: 4

Ingredients

  • 2 large zucchinis
  • 2 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 cup chopped white onion
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 large egg
  • 1⁄4 cup shredded pepper jack cheese
  • 1⁄2 tsp. salt
  • 1⁄4 tsp. black pepper
  • 1⁄8 tsp. red pepper flakes
  • 1⁄2 lb. ground beef
  • 1⁄2 lb. ground pork
  • 2 Tbsp. butter
  • 2 cups marinara sauce

Directions

  • Preheat oven to 375°F.
  • Cut zucchini into long strips using a vegetable slicer or a spiralizer. Set aside onto a paper towel and allow to sweat. Heat olive oil over medium-heat in a large skillet. Add onions and garlic and sauté until transparent, 3 to 4 minutes. Set aside and allow to cool.
  • Put egg, cheese, salt, black pepper, red pepper, beef, and pork in a large mixing bowl. Add onions and garlic and mix until evenly incorporated. Shape meat mixture into 16 meatballs. Place meatballs on a baking sheet and bake for 20 minutes or until internal temperature reaches 165°F.
  • Put butter in a skillet and heat over medium heat. Add zucchini noodles and sauté, stirring frequently, until softened but still firm, about 3 minutes. Remove from heat.
  • Divide zucchini up into 4 servings. Top each serving with 4 meatballs and 1⁄2 cup marinara sauce.