THE BEST ITALIAN-STYLE MEATBALL RECIPE

INGREDIENTS :

Meatballs

1 pound extra-lean ground beef, 4% fat at most
1/4 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup panko breadcrumbs
3/4 cup reduced-fat marinara sauce
1/4 cup egg whites or fat-free liquid egg substitute
2 teaspoon chopped garlic
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon each salt and black pepper

Topping :
1 cup seeded and chopped tomato
1 teaspoon chopped garlic
2 tablespoon chopped fresh basil
1/4 cup finely hashed sweet onion
1/4 teaspoon each salt and black pepper

DIRECTIONS :

1 . Set oven to 350 degrees and preheat. Choose 8″ X 8″ baking pan and spray with nonstick spray.
2 . Combine all topping ingredients in a medium bowl. Mix softly until homogenous. Then refrigerate covered.
3 . Combine in a large bowl the following ingredients: ground beef, egg whites or substitute, breadcrumbs, onion powder, garlic, salt, and black pepper. Make 12 equal sized meatballs.
4 . Place meatballs in the baking pan, and evenly garnish with marinara sauce.
5 . Use foil to cover pan before baking for 20 minutes.
6 . Remove foil, bake again about 10 minutes until meatballs are cooked through.
7 . Scatter mozzarella and Parm, bake for 5 minutes until mozzarella melts.
8 . Garnish with topping.