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Tomato Basil Zoodles with Meatballs

30 Minute Meals Main Course

These Tomato Basil Zoodles and Meatballs makes a simple, fresh, and easy weeknight meal. Filled with fresh zucchini noodles, a tomato basil marinara sauce, and hearty meatballs, this dish comes together in minutes and is bursting with flavor!

A skillet of zoodles and meatballs.

Since it’s summer, I’ve been taking advantage of all of the fresh produce that I can. You can often find me at my local farmer’s market on Friday afternoons, scouring the fresh fruits and veggies.

Produce is my favorite all year long, but it tastes even better in the summer. There’s just nothing like creating a meal that bursting with fresh vegetables and tons of flavor.

These Tomato Basil Zucchini Noodles and Meatballs makes a simple, fresh, and easy weeknight meal. Filled with fresh zucchini noodles, a tomato basil marinara sauce, and hearty meatballs, this dish comes together less than an hour and is bursting with flavor!

How about that for a simple, yet zesty weeknight meal? If you’ve never tried zucchini noodles before, now is the time to start!

Overhead view of a skillet of zoodles and meatballs next to two jars of pasta sauce.

Even the hubster liked them, and he is pretty picky about certain foods. The fresh zucchini, flavorful marinara sauce, and meatballs combine for a match made in heaven.

Now, I actually stole the meatball recipe from the hubster! One of the very first meals that he ever made me back when we were dating was spaghetti and meatballs. And over the years, it’s become a staple in our house.

So, naturally, when I thought of this zoodles and meatballs recipe, I grabbed our favorite one. The meatballs are easy to prepare and can even be made ahead of time and cooked for when it’s time to start dinner.

And then there’s the zoodles. Simply grab your spiralizer and spiralize away! Trust me, you’ll be amazed at how “un-zucchini-ish” it tastes once it’s cooked!

Two jars of Prego pasta sauce.

Ingredients for Zoodles and Meatballs 

To make the zucchini noodles and meatballs, you’ll need the following ingredients: 

  • Italian breadcrumbs
  • Water
  • Ground sirloin
  • Eggs
  • Garlic powder and onion powder
  • Parmesan cheese
  • Zucchini
  • Olive oil
  • Tomato basil sauce 

How to Make Zoodles 

To make the best zucchini noodles, I recommend using a spiralizer. You can buy handheld versions at most grocery stores these days, or you can order a larger spiralizer with multiple attachments online. 

Alternately, you can use a vegetable peeler to create thin slices of zucchini. From there, you can use a knife to cut the sliced zucchini into spaghetti-shaped pieces. 

A skillet of zucchini noodles and meatballs.

How to Make Zoodles and Meatballs 

Cooking zoodles is much easier than you might think. They require just a few minutes in a hot skillet, and then you can add the sauce and meatballs. 

  1. Prepare the meatballs: Preheat oven to 350F. Lightly grease a large baking pan with non-stick cooking spray or line with parchment paper.
  2. In a small bowl, combine the breadcrumbs and water until it resembles a crumbly mixture.
  3. In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumb mixture, eggs, garlic powder, onion powder, Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper. Stir thoroughly to combine.
  4. Use a small cookie scoop or spoon to scoop the meat mixture and then roll into balls. Place onto prepared baking pan.
  5. Bake until the meatballs are no longer pink in the middle.
  6. Make the zoodles: I used the Prego® Farmers’ Market Tomato & Basil sauce for the base of these Tomato Basil Zoodles with Meatballs. Pour it into a skillet or medium pot, heat over medium heat, and then add in the zoodles.
  7. Cook for several minutes, add in the meatballs, and let everything heat up. And that’s it!

Grab those fresh veggies, a jar of your favorite Prego® Farmers’ Market sauce, and whip up this simple Tomato Basil Zoodles with Meatballs for dinner. It’ll be a summertime dish that your family will love!

How long do you cook zoodles?

The zucchini noodles need to be sautéed in an oiled skillet over medium heat for just 3 to 4 minutes. 

Can you freeze zoodles?

Yes! Spiralize the zucchini, then pat dry and seal in a freezer bag for up to 3 months. When ready to use, add the frozen zoodles straight to the skillet and cook for just a minute or two. 

A skillet of zucchini noodles and meatballs.

Tips for Making Zucchini Noodles and Meatballs

  • The meatballs can be made up to 4 days in advance. Store them in the fridge and reheat them throughout the week with the zoodles. 
  • You can also spiralize the zoodles in advance. Wait to sauté them until you’re ready to eat! 
  • Be careful not to over cook the zucchini noodles, as you don’t want them to be mushy. 

Looking for more quick dinner recipes? 

30-minute meals are my specialty! Here are some of my favorites: 

These Tomato Basil Zoodles with Meatballs makes a simple, fresh, and easy weeknight meal. Filled with fresh zucchini noodles, a tomato basil marinara sauce, and hearty meatballs, this dish comes together in minutes and is bursting with flavor!
Print Pin

Tomato Basil Zoodles and Meatballs

These Zoodles and Meatballs makes a simple, fresh, and easy weeknight meal. This dish comes together in under an hour and is bursting with flavor!
Course Main Course
Cuisine Italian
Keyword spaghetti recipe, zucchini recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings 4
Calories 301kcal

Ingredients

Meatballs

  • 1 cup Italian breadcrumbs
  • ½ cup water
  • 1½ pounds ground sirloin
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 teaspoons garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Zoodles

  • 2 tablespoon olive oil
  • 3 medium zucchini spiralized
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Grated Parmesan cheese for topping if desired
  • 1 jar (23.5 ounce) jar tomato basil sauce or other marinara sauce of choice

Instructions

Make the meatballs:

  • Preheat oven to 350F. Lightly grease a large baking pan with non-stick cooking spray or line with parchment paper. Set aside.
  • In a small bowl, combine the bread crumbs and water until resembles a crumbly mixture.
  • In a large bowl, combine the ground sirloin, breadcrumb mixture, eggs, garlic powder, onion powder, Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper. Stir thoroughly to combine, making sure eggs are completely mixed in.
  • Use a small cookie scoop or spoon to scoop meat mixture and then roll into balls. Place onto prepared baking pan. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until meatballs are no longer pink in the middle.

Make the zoodles:

  • While meatballs are baking, prepare zoodles. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add zoodles, garlic powder, salt and pepper, Sauté for about 3-4 minutes, or until tender.
  • Add marinara sauce into skillet and stir to combine. Add cooked meatballs to skillet and heat until warmed through.
  • Remove pot from heat. Top with Parmesan cheese, if desired.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 301kcal | Carbohydrates: 21g | Protein: 19g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 85mg | Sodium: 1243mg | Potassium: 798mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 879IU | Vitamin C: 12mg | Calcium: 133mg | Iron: 4mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @pumpkin_n_spice or tag #pumpkin_n_spice!

 

By Gayle |

Comments

  1. cakespy says

    I was all like “I have no freaking idea what zoodles are but I want them” upon opening this page. Now that I have discovered what zoodles are I crave them even more!

    Reply

  2. Mir says

    Zucchini and I are at peace, but I think it’s cool that you have veggies you prefer. After all, we’re all different, and that’s cool. And you make a pretty mean-looking zoodle. Those meatballs are heaven!

    Reply

  3. Dawn @ Girl Heart Food says

    Every single time I see a spiralizer, I think I need to get one ASAP! This looks delicious, Gayle! As you probably know, recently I had a bad experience with zucchini bread so me and zucchini weren’t friends, lol. But, I did have one zucchini left and I just roasted it this week with some other veg and it was delicious! Now, we are ok again 🙂 Those meatballs look supper yummy and who doesn’t love a good meatball?! Pinning 🙂

    Reply

    • Gayle says

      So glad you and zucchini are back on good terms! 🙂 I think you will love a spiralizer! Thanks for the kind words and pin, friend!

      Reply

  7. Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary says

    Giiiirl, your forgiven for not being the biggest fan of zucchini. I’ll eat all your raw zucchini, no problem! 😉 Zoodles are the best (I mean just the word alone is fun), and these zoodles with meatballs look crazy delicious! Love that you paired something hearty (meatballs) with something light (zucchini). Totally perfect for a satisfying summer dinner! Pinned! Cheers, Gayle!

    Reply

    • Gayle says

      Thanks for the kind words and pin, Cheyanne! I am totally hooked on zoodles…I wish I would’ve made them a long time ago!

      Reply

  11. Kelly says

    Yay for zoodles! So glad you love them now too! This is the perfect comforting t dish to sneak in more veggies! I love how fresh and flavorful the Prego sauce is too! It sounds amazing with the meatballs and zoodles!

    Reply

  13. Danielle says

    I’m the exact same way when it comes to zucchini, Gayle. I really need to buy a spiralizer because I feel like I would totally love this dish and I love that it’s healthier too!

    Reply

    • Gayle says

      Thanks, Danielle! I think you would love having a sppiralizer! Now I just want to spiralize everything! 🙂

      Reply

    • Gayle says

      Thank you, Michelle! I was surprised at how much I liked zucchini noodles…I’ve been making them all the time now!

      Reply

    • Gayle says

      Thanks, Sarah! This dish definitely gives regular spaghetti and meatballs a run for their money! 🙂

      Reply

  16. Demeter | Beaming Baker says

    Oh Gayle, I know exactly what you mean with zucchini! It’s definitely a very specific taste not suited to all palates. But you make zoodles and suddenly it’s like an entirely different thing! So yummy, so fresh and delish. And your Friday trips to the farmer’s market has me all exciting about doing so myself. Love that you found a sauce that reflects that wonderful experience. Have a wonderful weekend, friend! xo

    Reply

  17. Annie says

    Gayle this looks AMAZING! I haven’t seen this sauce yet but I will have to look for it! Those meatballs are calling my name!

    Reply

  23. marcie says

    I love zucchini noodles more than pasta, and with meatballs, even better! This dish is so perfect for summer because who wants heavy pasta in bikini season? haha

    Reply

  26. Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom says

    Hi Gayle! Well, I’m glad spiralized zucchini noodles finally got you liking zucchini!!! 🙂 this looks amazing and perfect for summer when all that lovely zucchini is in season. . love the Prego® Farmers’ Market Tomato & Basil Sauce!! wow, totally different packaging and label! I’ll look for it!

    Reply

    • Gayle says

      Thank you, Alice! I am loving spiralized zucchini noodles…I wish it didn’t take me so long to try them! 🙂

      Reply

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