Pork Meatballs with Mushroom Sauce & Zoodles – Recipe!

Meatballs are a comfort food everyone can enjoy, whether you are a meat lover, vegetarian or vegan.  I just happen to love meatballs in all varieties, but especially those with a little pork inside. Ground pork, which is naturally moist and succulent, is a perfect start to a great meatball because it doesn’t require a bunch of bread crumbs to keep them tender.

Meatballs don’t have to take all day to cook like Nana’s Sunday Meatballs, there are much quicker ways to prepare them.  Meatballs are actually a one-pot wonder because you can brown them and make the sauce in one vessel.

The sauce in this recipe is a mix of mushrooms with a little chicken stock for a light glaze, to enhance the earthiness of the dish.  I think the combination of pork and mushrooms is quite delightful and the zoodles are just a green bonus, which adds a bit of spring freshness.  I created my zoodles with a mandoline, but you can use a regular vegetable peeler or spiralizer or buy them already done at the grocery store.

Ingredients

Meatballs

1 pound ground pork

1/2 cup oatmeal

1/4 cup milk

1 egg

2 teaspoon dried oregano

1 1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

1/2 teaspoon onion powder

1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika

1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes

Sauce

4 ounces Shiitake mushrooms

6 ounces Baby Bella or Button mushrooms

1 tablespoon cornstarch

1 1/2 cups chicken broth

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 cup Parmesan cheese

1/4 cup chives, chopped – optional

olive oil

3 large zucchini, zoodled

(Serves 4)

To Prepare:

1. In a large bowl, combine all meatball ingredients.  In a large saute pan, add 2 tablespoons of oil and place over medium heat.  Form meat into 1-inch balls and brown on all sides, about 8 minutes. Add mushrooms and saute together for 5 minutes.

2.  Sprinkle cornstarch over meatballs and mushrooms and stir to coat.  Cook for 1 minute to remove any raw taste.  Pour in broth and salt, stir to combine.  Turn heat to low and cover pan with lid.  Cook for 7 minutes or until sauce is reduced and meatballs are cooked through.

3.  While meatballs are cooking, add zoodles to a separate pan with 2 teaspoons of olive oil.  Cook on medium-high heat for 3 minutes, toss and continue to cook 4 minutes. Pour Pork Meatballs and Mushroom Sauce into a serving dish and add Zoodles on the side.  Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and chives, Enjoy!