Eggplant meatballs might fool you! They're savory and filling and a great plant-based alternative! Gluten-free, too!
Italian food is so satisfying, isn’t it? The tang of rich tomato sauce paired with gooey cheese and perfectly cooked pasta is the stuff of dreams. We conceived this easy Eggplant Meatballs and Zoodle meal prep to incorporate the traditional Italian flavors that we all love, but with a few lightened-up substitutions. These eggplant meatballs are actually meatless, and we subbed traditional wheat flour or breadcrumbs for almond flour, making them gluten-free as well.
These are the perfect Meatless Monday dinner, and are even Whole30 compliant! They do take a little while to bake, but the actual hands-on preparation time is minimal, making these perfect for an easy meal prep or a comforting weekend dinner.
Though typically thought of and treated as a vegetable, eggplants are actually fruits, because they have seeds and grow from flowering plants. Their deep purple color is an indication of the presence of a range of antioxidants, which are crucial for cell health and longevity. Eggplant is also a good source of fiber, and its mild flavor makes it pretty easy to add to just about anything. We love the taste and texture of it blended with garlic, onion, and Italian seasoning for these Eggplant Meatballs and Zoodle Meal Prep.
Spiralized fruits and veggies are a consistent way to enjoy a lightened version of a huge range of dishes. However, instead of traditional pasta, the use of zucchini noodles as a base for the Eggplant Meatballs and Zoodle Meal Prep allows for significantly lower caloric intake, plus the added benefit of Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Potassium, and fiber. Plus, using zoodles basically ensures that you’re getting at least one extra serving of vegetables in each portion, all without compromising any flavor or convenience. And who doesn’t want that? This easy meal prep is both light and satisfying.
Meatballs have come a long way. No longer are the days of just pasta, meatballs and sauce. From beef to turkey, to chicken, pork, lamb or even vegetarian recipes the possibilities are endless with meatballs! And don’t even get us started on the sauces! There is a recipe out there for every palate! And the best part? Meatballs are easy to make, inexpensive and transport in your containers without a hitch! Read More Here
Easy peasy! Pop these into meal prep containers that seal well. Store them in the fridge for 4 to 5 days. Reheat in the microwave or in the oven, covered. Add a little more sauce if need be, if things start to look a little too dry.
Here's an important tip, though. Zoodles release a lot of water when reheated, so if you plan to reheat your meals later, pack the zoodles raw. 1 minute in the microwave is enough to cook them and they won’t get soggy.
We wouldn't recommend freezing the zoodles, but you could freeze the eggplant meatballs. We recommend defrosting them in the fridge first, and then reheating them in a moderate oven (about 350 F works), wrapped in foil, until they're completely hot all the way through. Zoodles just won't hold up well to freezing and then defrosting and reheating. It's not hard to do, so you can always double batch the meatballs and then just make the zoodles as needed!
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Love these!!! Do you know how they freeze?
Hey Michelle - We haven't tried freezing them yet. Not sure how the eggplant will do after it's thawed.