Garlic Meatballs

You can make a flavorful, fuss-free dinner by cooking everything in one skillet with this tasty meatball dish.

Ready IN

30 mins

Servings

Save

By Tribune News Service

November 05, 2025Updated:June 24, 2026

By Linda Gassenheimer Tribune News Service

You can make a flavorful, fuss-free dinner by cooking everything in one skillet with this tasty meatball dish. Parmesan cheese and panko breadcrumbs give the meatballs a rich flavor and texture.

To elevate a store-bought pasta sauce, I added a touch of garlic, then paired it with frozen green beans and sweet potatoes for a colorful, well-rounded meal ready in minutes.

Helpful Hints

If frozen sweet potato cubes are unavailable use frozen or fresh butternut squash cubes.
Any type of low sodium pasta sauce can be used.

Countdown

Assemble ingredients.
Brown meatballs and remove.
Start sauce and add meatballs.

Shopping List

To buy: 3/4 pound 95 percent lean ground beef, 1 container plain panko breadcrumbs, 1 piece Parmesan cheese, 1 container frozen cut green beans, 1 container frozen sweet potato cubes, 1 bottle no-salt-added pasta sauce

Staples: olive oil, egg, garlic, salt, and black peppercorns.

Linda Gassenheimer is the author of over 30 cookbooks, including her newest, “The 12-Week Diabetes Cookbook.” Listen to Linda on www.WDNA.org and all major podcast sites. Email her at [email protected]. Copyright 2025 Tribune Content Agency, LLC

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Garlic Meatballs

Tribune News Service

Time

30 mins

(Prep 15 minsCook 15 mins)

Servings

Prep Time

15 mins

Cook Time

15 mins

Total Time

30 mins

Servings

ingredients

3/4 pound 95 percent lean ground beef
1 large egg
2 tablespoons plain panko breadcrumbs
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 teaspoons olive oil
2 cups frozen-cut green beans
2 cups frozen sweet potato pieces, about 1/2-inch pieces
1 1/2 cups no-salt-added pasta sauce
4 cloves garlic, crushed

Instructions

STEP 1

Add beef, egg, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper to a small bowl. Mix all ingredients together and form into 8 meatballs. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the meatballs. Brown on all sides for 3 to 4 minutes. Remove meatballs to a plate.

STEP 2

Add the green beans, sweet potatoes, pasta sauce, and garlic to the skillet. Mix to combine all ingredients. Return the meatballs to the skillet. Bring sauce to a simmer, cover with a lid and cook 9 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. The green beans should be tender and meatballs cooked through. A meat thermometer should read 130-135 degrees F.

STEP 3

Divide in half and serve on 2 dinner plates.

STEP 4

Per serving: 620 calories (31 percent from fat), 21.7 g fat (7.2 g saturated, 8.0 g monounsaturated), 213 mg cholesterol, 50.2 g protein, 55.4 g carbohydrates, 10.6 g fiber, 800 mg sodium.

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