Garlic Butter Meatballs with Lemon Zucchini Noodles Recipe
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These are the ultimate garlic butter meatballs with zucchini noodles! With every bite of these low carb meatballs, you will be yearning for the next one! They are buttery, have the perfect amount of garlic, and have lots of protein to keep you full.
Not only are these garlic butter turkey meatballs perfect for an easy dinner, but they are also great for feeding a crowd too. Plus, they are straightforward and make great leftovers.
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How To Make Turkey Meatballs
Homemade meatballs just taste so much better than prepackaged store bought ones. I like them also, but when I can easily make them myself, I prefer that. Plus, they are so much healthier. Take a look at how simple it is to make turkey meatballs.
First Step: Start off by preparing the zucchini noodles. First, you need to use a spiralizer to make zucchini noodles using the 4 large zucchini. If you do not want to make your own zucchini noodles, you can purchase them already made in the produce department of your local grocery store.
Second Step: In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground pork, ground turkey, cheese, 4 cloves of grated garlic, bouillon cube, Italian seasoning, chili pepper flakes, chopped parsley and salt and pepper to taste.
Third Step: Using your hands, combine all the ingredients and form into 1 – 1/2 inch meatballs.
Fourth Step: Melt two tablespoons of butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat, and cook the meatballs until browned on all sides and cooked through, usually about 10 minutes. Once they have finished cooking, remove the meatballs and set them aside, keeping them warm.
Fifth Step: Melt 1 tablespoon of butter in the skillet then add the hot sauce, minced garlic cloves, as well as the juice from half of a lemon. Stir it around.
Sixth Step: Toss the zucchini noodles into the skillet, and cook them for just 2-3 minutes.
Seventh Step: Place the meatballs back into the skillet, warming them back up, and serve topped with more fresh parsley, as well as additional salt and pepper to taste if you like.
Garlic Butter Meatballs Variations
These easy meatballs are really versatile and can be adjusted in several different ways. I wanted to take the time to share with you some of my favorite ideas:
- Ranch Seasoning – Trade out the Italian seasoning for some dry ranch seasoning. Everything tastes better with a little bit of ranch!
- Ground Beef – Substitute the out the ground turkey, ground pork or both for some hamburger. They will taste like good old classic meatballs, and they are perfection.
- Parmasean – Instead of using mozzarella, you can use some shredded parmesan in its place. I love the flavor of these meatballs with different types of cheese.
- Barbecue Sauce – Add 1 cup of your favorite barbecue sauce to the cooked meatballs. If you are worried about sugar intake, there are many sugar-free varieties at the market nowadays.
How Do You Know When Meatballs Are Done?
Once the meatballs are browned on the exterior, you can test the insides with a meat thermometer. For best results, you want them to be at least 140 degrees F. They will still be super juicy and tender at 140 degrees, but you can heat them longer if you prefer. They will most likely be a little pink in the center, so if that bothers you, go ahead and cook them until they are well done at 165 degrees F.
Are Zucchini Noodles Good For You?
Yes, absolutely zucchini noodles are good for you. When you eat garlic butter meatballs with zucchini noodles, you are getting potassium, fiber, vitamin A, antioxidants, and vitamin C. They are low fat and low carb, so they fit many different diets. They are great for you, so eat up because your body could use all that wholesome nutrients.
How Do You Store Leftover Garlic Butter Meatballs?
You can store the garlic butter meatballs in the refrigerator. Store the meatballs in an airtight container or bag. They make lovely leftovers if they are stored properly. You can also keep them in the freezer too. Flash freeze them and put them in a freezer bag or another airtight container once they are frozen solid. This will prevent them from sticking to each other.
How Do You Reheat Garlic Butter Turkey Meatballs
There are several options for reheating these low carb meatballs. I have tried them all and have had good luck with each method. Here are some ideas to get you started:
- Microwave – This is by far the quickest method for warming the leftover garlic butter meatballs with zucchini noodles. Just zap them for 1-2 minutes until they are hot.
- Oven – Warm the oven up to 350 degrees F. and place the meatballs and zucchini noodles in a baking dish. Add a tablespoon or two of water in the dish, cover with tin foil and bake for 10-15 minutes until they are heated all the way through.
- Stovetop – You can basically heat the meatballs the same way you did the first time! Just add 1 – 2 tablespoons of olive oil to the skillet and heat them and the noodles until they are hot.
What To Serve With Low Carb Meatballs
There are no wrong answers when it comes to these delicious garlic butter turkey meatballs. They go with everything, and they are hearty enough to eat them alone. Try some of these ideas:
- Roasted Vegetables – You can never go wrong with adding more roasted veggies to your diet. Broccoli, cauliflower, radishes, green beans, carrots are just a few ideas to try out.
- Salad – Eat a nice veggie salad with fresh ingredients and a light dressing. Arugula, cucumbers, tomatoes, salt, pepper, and a little bit of dressing is the perfect start to any meal.
- Fruit – If you are eating low carb and are watching your sugar intake, you may not feel like eating a full on dessert. Supplement with some fresh fruit like strawberries, blueberries, watermelon, or pineapple. They help when that sweet tooth strikes.
- Bread – If you are completely low carb you may want to stick to a keto friendly bread, but if you are just trying to lighten up a little, you can have regular bread. Either way, some dinner rolls with melted butter or ghee would be fabulous with these low carb meatballs!
Enjoy!
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Garlic Butter Meatballs with Lemon Zucchini Noodles Recipe
Ingredients
- ½ lb. Ground pork
- ½ lb. Ground turkey
- ½ c. Shredded mozzarella
- 4 Cloves grated garlic
- 2 Cloves minced garlic
- ½ tsp. Crushed chili pepper flakes
- 1 tsp. Italian seasoning
- 1 Bouillon cube, crumbled
- 1 c. Fresh parsley chopped
- 3 tbsp. Butter
- 4 Zucchini
- Juice from ½ of a lemon
- 1 tbsp. Hot sauce
- Salt and Pepper to taste
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Instructions
- Use a spiralizer to make zucchini noodles using the 4 large zucchini. If you do not want to make your own zucchini noodles, you can purchase them already made in the produce department of your local grocery store.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the ground pork, ground turkey, cheese, 4 cloves of grated garlic, bouillon cube, Italian seasoning, chili pepper flakes, chopped parsley and salt and pepper to taste.
- Combine the meat mixture well using your hands, and then form it into small meatballs.
- Melt two tablespoons of butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat, and cook the meatballs until browned on all sides and cooked through, usually about 10 minutes. Once they have finished cooking, remove the meatballs and set them aside, keeping them warm.
- In the same skillet melt 1 tablespoon of butter, and add the hot sauce, minced garlic cloves, as well as the juice from half of a lemon.
- Toss the zucchini noodles into the skillet, and cook them for just 2-3 minutes.
- Place the meatballs back into the skillet, warming them back up, and serve topped with more fresh parsley, as well as additional salt and pepper to taste if you like.
Nutrition
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Check Out Other Low Carb Recipes:
Keto Cauliflower Mac and Cheese – This keto mac and cheese is way better because you know you are filling your body with much-needed nutrients.
Garlic Butter Chicken with Parmesan Cauliflower Rice – When you taste the garlic butter sauce for chicken, you will be hooked for life! It’s seriously so scrumptious!
Oven Roasted Turnips – Roasted turnips with thyme and parmesan are an easy, tasty side dish as a much healthier alternative to roasted potatoes!
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