Indulge in these delicious, Weight Watchers-friendly Italian Meatballs, adapted from a Gordon Ramsay recipe. With just 5 Smart Points per serving, these meatballs are not only succulent and flavorful but also perfect for your healthy lifestyle. The rich tomato sauce with a hint of chili complements the meatballs perfectly, making this dish a family favorite.
I’ve never been a huge meatball fan—until I tried these! They’re the best meatballs I’ve ever had, thanks to the technique of using milk-soaked breadcrumbs and a light dusting of flour. This method elevates the texture and flavor, turning a simple dish into something extraordinary.
Tips for Making These Meatballs
To make the breadcrumbs, blitz half a Warburton thin or a slice of low-point bread in a food processor. This yields approximately 3 tablespoons of breadcrumbs. Place them in a bowl, cover with milk, and let them soak.
For the sauce, I used shallots instead of onions. Shallots add a delicate flavor and break down quickly, creating a smooth, rich sauce. Combine the beef, chopped parsley, crushed garlic, and milk-soaked breadcrumbs in a bowl. Use your hands to mix everything thoroughly.
Shape the mixture into meatballs roughly the size of a large walnut. Toss each meatball in flour for a golden brown crust when frying. Brown the meatballs on all sides—they’ll finish cooking in the oven with the tomato sauce.
Ingredients
- 1 lb extra lean ground beef
- 1 egg
- 1 cup water
- 1 package stove top stuffing mix (any flavor)
- 3 tablespoons breadcrumbs (made from low-point bread)
- 1/4 cup milk
- 2 shallots, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, crushed
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour (for dusting)
- 1 can (14 oz) crushed tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon chili flakes (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Preparation
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Mix the ground beef, egg, breadcrumbs, milk, shallots, garlic, and parsley in a bowl until well combined.
- Roll the mixture into 20 meatballs, each about the size of a golf ball.
- Lightly dust each meatball with flour.
- Heat a non-stick pan over medium heat and brown the meatballs on all sides.
- In a baking dish, combine the crushed tomatoes, chili flakes, salt, and pepper. Add the browned meatballs and bake for 20 minutes.
- Serve with whole grain spaghetti or zucchini noodles (zoodles) for a lighter option.
Enjoy these healthy, flavorful meatballs guilt-free! They’re perfect for dinner and great for meal prep.
