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Spaghetti and meatballs? Yawn. It’s time to give your weekly dinner staple a much-needed makeover. Enter hearty polenta and meatballs, a classy twist on an old favorite. Best of all, it costs only $15 to whip up four servings.
RELATED: 37 Fancy Dinners You Can Make with a Pound of Ground Beef
Meatballs
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 sweet onion, minced
2 garlic cloves, minced
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for garnish
½ cup chopped fresh parsley, plus more for garnish
½ teaspoon dried oregano
1 large egg
1 pound ground beef
¾ cup panko bread crumbs
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
2½ cups store-bought marinara sauce
Polenta
1 cup whole milk
1 cup polenta
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1. Make the Meatballs: In a small skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until tender, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the garlic and sauté until fragrant, 1 minute more. Set aside and let cool to room temperature.
2. In a medium bowl, combine the cooled onion mixture with the Parmesan, parsley, oregano, egg and ground beef; mix until combined. Add the bread crumbs, season with salt and pepper and then mix again.
3. Preheat the oven to 375°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and grease it generously with nonstick cooking spray.
4. With a spoon, scoop the meat mixture into 1-inch balls and arrange them evenly on the prepared baking sheet. Bake until the meatballs are fully cooked, 20 to 25 minutes. Pour the marinara sauce over the meatballs, toss to coat and then return the pan to the oven until the sauce is bubbly, 10 minutes more.
5. Make the Polenta: In a medium pot, bring the milk and 3 cups water to a simmer over medium heat. Whisk in the polenta and cook, whisking occasionally to prevent it from sticking to the bottom of the pan, until the polenta absorbs all of the liquid, 15 to 20 minutes.
7. Divide the polenta among four plates and then spoon the meatballs over the polenta. Garnish each serving with parsley and Parmesan. Serve immediately.
Meatballs
488 calories
30g fat
28g carbs
25g protein
14g sugars
Polenta
259 calories
11g fat
34g carbs
5g protein
4g sugars
Note: The information shown is Edamam's estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist's advice.
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