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Adventure Day's Dinner

6:30 PM

Chef Level:

Mighty Meatball Mountain Range

Create a delicious and visually stunning landscape of lean beef meatballs with a vibrant vegetable scenery and a savory tomato sauce river.

40 mins
Medium

Fun Food Fact!

Meatballs exist in almost every cuisine around the world, from Italian to Swedish to Middle Eastern!

What You'll Need

  • 🥩Lean ground beef (1 lb)
  • 🍞Whole wheat breadcrumbs (1/2 cup)
  • 🥚Egg (1)
  • 🧂Salt (1 tsp)
  • 🌶️Black pepper (1/2 tsp)
  • 🥒Zucchini (2)
  • 🥕Carrots (2)
  • 🫒Olive oil (2 tbsp)
  • 🍅Tomato sauce (1 jar, ~2 cups)
  • 🌿Italian seasoning (1 tsp)
  • 🧄Garlic powder (1/4 tsp)
  • 🧀Parmesan cheese (optional)

Super Chef Tip

Roll meatballs with wet hands to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.

Let's Cook!

🥩

Step 1: Prepare Ingredients

Gather all the ingredients and wash the vegetables thoroughly.

🏔️

Step 2: Meatball Crafting

In a large mixing bowl, combine 1 pound of lean ground beef, 1/2 cup of whole wheat breadcrumbs, 1 egg, 1 teaspoon of salt, and 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper. Mix well using your hands or a wooden spoon. Wet your hands with water and shape the mixture into mountain-shaped meatballs, about 1.5 inches in size.

🔥

Step 3: Cook the Meatballs

Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Place the meatballs in the skillet and cook for 3-4 minutes on each side until browned. Transfer to a plate and set aside.

🥒

Step 4: Prepare the Vegetable Landscape

Slice 2 zucchinis and 2 carrots into thin rounds. Optionally, use a small cookie cutter to create fun shapes like stars or hearts for added flair. Lightly steam the vegetables for 3-5 minutes until tender but still crisp.

🌊

Step 5: Create the Sauce Waterfall

In the same skillet used for the meatballs, pour 1 jar (about 2 cups) of tomato sauce. Stir in 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning and 1/4 teaspoon of garlic powder. Simmer the sauce over low heat for 5 minutes.

🏞️

Step 6: Assemble the Landscape

Return the meatballs to the skillet, spooning sauce over each one to create a 'river.' Arrange the steamed vegetables around the meatballs in the skillet to resemble trees and hills.

🍽️

Step 7: Serve and Enjoy

Serve the meatball landscape on individual plates or in the skillet. Add a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese on top for extra flavor, if desired.

Safety First, Young Chef!

  • Wash hands after handling raw meat.
  • Use separate cutting boards for meat and vegetables to avoid cross-contamination.
  • Ensure meatballs reach an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C).

Delicious and Easy Dinner Recipes

Discover dinner ideas for picky eaters that are quick, easy, and kid-approved! Our recipes are tailored to help families enjoy healthy dinner ideas without the hassle. From quick and easy dinners to simple family recipes, we’ve got you covered with options that will make mealtime stress-free and enjoyable.

  • Quick dinner recipes: Ready in 30 minutes or less.
  • Kid-friendly meals: Approved by even the pickiest eaters.
  • Healthy options: Packed with nutrition and flavor.
  • Easy recipes for families: Simple and delicious solutions for busy evenings.

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