👶Toddler-Approved & Parent-Loved!
Category
toddler / family dinner
Servings
20 small meatballs
Prep Time
15 minutes
Cook Time
20 minutes
Soft, juicy, and packed with hidden veggies! These meatballs are a foolproof way to nourish your toddler—and the whole family will love them too.
Ingredients
- 500g ground turkey or beef (or a mix!)
- 1 small zucchini, finely grated & moisture squeezed out
- 1 small carrot, finely grated
- ¼ cup breadcrumbs (or oat flour for gluten-free)
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional but tasty)
- 1 small onion, finely minced
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 egg, lightly beaten
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 2 Tbsp olive oil (for cooking)
- Salt and pepper to taste (go light on salt for little ones)
- ½ cup tomato passata or low-sodium pasta sauce
- 1 tsp olive oil
- Pinch of dried basil
For the Simple Tomato Dipping Sauce (optional):
Directions
Prep Veggies: Grate zucchini and carrot. Place in a clean tea towel and squeeze out excess liquid (this keeps meatballs from getting soggy!).
- Mix: In a large bowl, combine ground meat, grated veggies, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, onion, garlic, egg, and oregano. Mix gently with hands—don’t overwork!
- Shape: Roll mixture into small, toddler-friendly meatballs (about 1 tbsp each).
- Cook: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Cook meatballs in batches for 8–10 minutes, turning until golden and cooked through.
Make Sauce (optional): Warm passata with olive oil and basil in a small pan. Serve on the side for dipping!
Leave a comment