These Zucchini Meatballs are tender, moist, and loaded with bursting flavors that come together quickly!
When zucchini season is in full swing these baked zucchini meatballs are a staple in our weekly meals. I like adding shredded zucchini to many of our meals such as stuffed ground beef zucchini boats and breakfast burritos… Zucchini adds moisture and an extra oomph to many savory and sweet dishes. Plus, this fruit "veggie" is so easy to sneak into many recipes that friends or family won’t even know they’re eating some nutritious goodness. Not bad, huh?
Why you'll love these zucchini beef meatballs:
- So easy to make - mix everything in a large bowl, roll, bake and enjoy.
- Bursting in flavor
- Eggless (one less ingredient to add)
- Healthy, packed with nutrients, like Vitamin A and C
- Super moist
- Kid friendly, even my picky toddlers love these!
Ingredients You'll need:
- Zucchini, the main star of this meal
- Ground beef - I like using grass-fed ground beef but you can use ground turkey, ground chicken or meat of ground meat of choice.
- Fresh parsley - add that freshness to the meatballs
- Worcestershire sauce adds a nice subtle depth of flavor to the meatballs plus also help bind the meatballs together.
- Panko helps the meatballs bind together. I like using plain but you can also use seasoned panko.
- Parmesan cheese - freshly grated parmesan is my go-to here, but store bought grated parmesan works in a pinch.
- Seasonings, garlic & herb, pepper, salt.
- Oil, I use extra-virgin olive oil
Full recipe measurements below
Steps-by-step instructions:
For these baked zucchini meatballs I like using grass-fed ground beef, for that extra fat and yummy flavor red meat has, but you can use ground turkey, pork or favorite ground meat. I prefer shredding my zucchini ahead of time to cut time in the prepping process. The chopped fresh parsley definitely adds a nice fragrant smell and unique taste to these meatballs. And the garlic and herb seasoning just adds that extra garlic-y taste; the more garlic the better. I like using Lawry's Garlic powder with parsley. or this Garlic & herb seasoning
So, after you have all your ingredients all you need to do is mix them all in a medium size bowl with your hands until all ingredients are nicely incorporated. Then roll the mixture into golf size balls and place onto a non-stick baking sheet. I prefer baking my meatballs for a healthier version, but will pan-fry them when I have more time.
Serving suggestions:
- Spaghetti and marinara sauce of choice
- Meatball subs
- With your favorite pasta
- As an appetizer with marinara dipping sauce
Storage Tips:
Store in an an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days. You can also freeze these meatballs in an airtight container or freezer zip-top bag for up to three months.
Zucchini Meatballs
Ingredients
- 1 lb grass-fed ground beef
- 1 cup shredded zucchini
- ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
- ⅓ cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1 cup plain panko crumbs
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon garlic & herb * (I use Mrs. Dash Salt Free or garlic powder works just fine)
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- salt to taste (I add 1 tsp)
Instructions
- In a medium sized bowl mix all the ingredients with your hands until all ingredients are nicely incorporated
- Roll the mixture into golf size balls
- Place onto a non-stick baking sheet or dish
- Bake on 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes until the middle is not longer pink or meat thermometer reads 165 degrees F.
- Serve with your favorite side dish and enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
Do you have extra zucchini ? Give these meatballs a try and let me know in the comments below how you liked them.
Want more Zucchini Recipes? Try these other favorites:
Sam @ SugarSpunRun
Ana, these are seriously such a great idea! Zucchini really does lend something wonderful to dishes it's used in and this is no exception 🙂
Ana
Thanks Sam! I'm seriously addicted to zucchini right now! I guess that's a good addiction to have 🙂
Lewis J Grzesiak
Hello, I made a double recipe just because I had a huge zucchini, put the meatballs in spaghetti sauce, and had some great meatball sandwiches
Jerry
I like how you keep sneaking in healthy ingredients in non-traditional ways. Keep it coming. The possibilities are endless.
Ana
Glad you are enjoying them! 😉
Mary
Ana, these look great! Can't wait to add zucchini for that extra nutrition and moistness!
Ana
Thanks Mary! Can't wait to hear about it when you do:)
J @ A Hot Southern Mess
I have never even heard of zucchini meatballs before. Now I am more than intrigued! These look amazing to me. I think I may just have to try them out! 🙂 Thanks for sharing dear!
Ana
Thanks J! Let me know if you give them a try 🙂
Jess @ whatjessicabakednext
Yum - these zucchini meatballs look divine, Ana! Zucchini is one of my favourite summer veggies!
Ana
Thanks Jess 🙂 Mine too! zucchini has invaded my kitchenn 🙂
Anu-My Ginger Garlic Kitchen
What an amazing looking meatballs. Addition of zucchini sounds great!
Ana
Thanks Anu! 🙂
Annie @ The Garlic Diaries
This is the third zucchini recipe I've seen today! It is totally in full swing right now. These meatballs looks to die for!
Ana
Thanks Annie! Yes, zucchini is the talk of the town. Loving zucchini everything 😉
Nicole
I'm loving the sound of these meatballs!
Ana
Thanks Nicole 🙂
Christopher Box
Yes. Yes. Yes. These would make a great take and go snack. Nice photo's - these yummy meatballs are making me hungry!
Ana
Thanks Christopher! They sure are easy to pack for on the-go.
Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary
Gah! Ana!! I am in LOVE with these zucchini meatballs!!!! I'm a zucchini hoarder, so I've been throwing them into everything on the downlow... but into meatballs?? SO genius! I have some zucchini hanging out in my fridge (of course), and now I know exactly what I'm going to do with them!! ♡ Pinned! Cheers, girlfriend!!
Ana
Seriously, i'm doing the same, zucchini on EVERYTHING! Let me know if you try them. Thanks for the pin Cheyanne 🙂
Kelley @ Chef Savvy
Oh my goodness these meatballs sound fantastic! Love the addition of zucchini. So creative. Can't wait to give these a try!
Ana
Thank you Kelley! Let me know how you like them 🙂
Tracey
These look really nice, I agree with extra garlic, gives the best flavour!
Ana
Thanks Tracey! Garlic just makes everything taste soo much better 🙂
Christin@SpicySouthernKitchen
What a fabulous way to use zucchini! The zucchini must help keep the meatballs really moist. 🙂
Ana
Thanks Christin! yes, I love that extra moisture zucchini adds to these meatballs 🙂
Kait @ Our Foodie Appetite
These look great! The recipe looks like they would be super moist from the zucchini and that's one thing that I don't like about meatballs sometimes - when they get so dry from being over cooked. Thanks for the recipe! http://www.ourfoodieappetite.com/el-arepazo-latin-grill-review-gahanna-oh/
Ana
Thanks Kait! I totaly understand what your saying, i've had a handful of dry meatballs in the passed, but zucchini totaly will add that extra moisture to any meatball out there 🙂
Mary @ StrawmarySmith
Hi Ana! These meatballs look amazing! Did you see the latest Food Network Mag? They had their "50 Zucchini Recipes" booklet and it has me obsessed! I've been thinking of different things I can do with zucchinis, and this recipe looks like a perfect one to try!
Ana
Thanks Mary 🙂 I have not, but need to get myself a copy! i'm obsessed with zucchini right now, and it's amazing how many awesome things you can create with it.
Vada
So I have some frozen zucchini any ideas on incorporating that in meatballs maybe to much moisture?
Ana
I would thaw out the frozen zucchini and then remove excess moisture by wringing out the shredded zucchini on a few paper towels.
Dani @ DaniCaliforniaCooks
What a fun new way to use zucchini! I'm always looking for more ways to use up the squash that enters my kitchen!!
Ana
Thanks Dani! I like that zucchini is so easy to incorporate in many recipes:)
Beth
Ana, these look amazing! I must buy extra zucchini to make this next week!
Ana
Thanks Beth! Let me know if you give them a try 🙂
Shelby @ Go Eat and Repeat
Summer is definitely synonymous with zucchini! I love seeing you put it in something different!
Ana
Thanks Shelby 🙂
Kelly - Life Made Sweeter
These meatballs look amazing! I love the sound of the added moisture and flavor from the zucchini! Such a creative and delicious idea!
Ana
Thanks Kelly 🙂
Food Blogger Club
These zucchini meatballs look amazing! And just the perfect size!
Ana
Thank you! 🙂
Courtney
Could these be frozen? If so would you suggest freezing them before cooking?
Ana
Hi Courtney!
Sorry for the delayed response! my emails were going to spam 🙁 But you can freeze these before cooking or cook and then freeze. Also, know people who brown and freeze meatballs and cook just fine.
Cindy
I made these with ground bison and summer squash since that's what I had on hand. They are delicious! You would never know veggies were smuggled in there. 😊 I will have fun playing with variations of this like using ground turkey and adding shredded carrots. Thank you!
Ana
Hi Cindy, Glad you liked 🙂 bison sounds amazing! Incorporating veggies into meatballs is seriously the best way to eat your veggies. I really like doing different variations like ground turkey, pork, and chicken - you can never go wrong 🙂
Michelle M
These zucchini meatballs are a staple in our house!!!! My kids 4 and 2 year old boys LOVE them. Even my critical MIL asked me to make them for a family dinner she was hosting WTH?!?!?! Lol I'm not a fan of zucchini but after this my whole family is hooked. Thank you for this fabulous recipe
Ana
Im glad this recipe is a staple in your house Michelle! when the kids and MIL love a recipe is a win, right?! Happy to hear your family is hooked! This is seriously one of my favorite recipes 🙂
Hannah
These are perfect! My 3 young kids gobbled them up. This will be my new go-to meatball recipe!
Ana
Glad to hear! and happy your kids loved them!
Wendy
These look great. Planning on making them soon. Should I drain the shredded zucchini first?
Thanks
Ana
Hi Wendy, I would drain the zucchini first to remove the excess moisture.