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    MJ & Hungryman ยป Baby/Kid-Friendly Recipes ยป Moist Healthy Meatballs

    Moist Healthy Meatballs

    By Min On November 10, 2022

    This post may contain affiliate links. Please see our disclosure policy for more details.

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    Six meatballs on a wooden board with toddler grabbing one.

    These healthy meatballs are made with just 5 simple ingredients and are egg free and dairy free. Tender and flavorful, these are perfect for babies and kids of all ages!

    Six meatballs on a wooden board with toddler grabbing one.

    This post is a collaboration with Beef Loving Texans. Thank you for supporting brands that I believe in and keeps this space running. As always, all opinions are my own!

    Jump to:
    • Meatballs for 6 months and up
    • Meatball Ingredients
    • Step-by-step Instructions
    • Tips for making the best homemade meatballs
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Easy Meatballs for Babies
    • Serving Suggestions
    • Storage Suggestions
    • More ground beef recipes
    • Healthy Beef Meatballs

    Meatballs for 6 months and up

    Research is clear! Nutrition in the first 1000 days (the period beginning at conception to two years of life) has a profound impact on a child's brain development, lifelong health, and eating habits.

    This is why The American Academy of Pediatrics, the Women Infants and Childrenโ€™s Program and now for the first time ever, the Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend introducing solid foods, like beef, to infants and toddlers to make every bite count during this critical time of rapid growth and development.

    Beef is a wonderful first complementary food for many reasons, one being it's a source of many essential nutrients that babies need to grow optimally, such as high quality protein, iron, zinc, and choline.

    Here's a great resource for learning more about beef as a complementary food for babies as well as baby-friendly recipes for the whole family.

    And now, let me introduce you to these healthy meatballs!

    As a fellow busy, tired parent, here's my gift to you ;). They're super EASY to make, nutritious, and safe for babies!  Made with ground beef, butternut squash, and peanut butter, itโ€™s a simple way to again, make every bite count! I can't emphasize this enough.

    Meatball Ingredients

    All the ingredients laid out on a white background.

    Ground beef - this is such a convenient and versatile ingredient! Most definitely a freezer staple for us. Nutrients in beef, like iron and zinc, are critical for optimal development as babies grow. You can use lean ground beef, but for moist and flavorful meatballs, I wouldn't go leaner than 85% meat and 15% fat.

    Butternut squash - In addition to it being a good source of vitamins A, C (helps enhance the absorption of iron), and fiber, it provides moisture to these meatballs.

    It also helps hold them together without the use of eggs, breadcrumbs, cheese, tofu (commonly used in Asian cooking), etc.

    How to cook butternut squash perfectly!

    Peanut butter - I know this may sound really strange. But give it a try! I like coming up with unique ways to incorporate this ingredient as research shows that introducing peanuts to your baby early and often can help prevent them from developing a peanut allergy later on.

    To learn more - peanuts, nuts, and seeds for babies

    Step-by-step Instructions

    A collage showing cooked butternut squash before and after mashed.

    Mash cooked butternut squash with a fork. I like to roast this incredibly flavorful and versatile vegetable ahead of time so it's one less thing to do on the day of.

    You can also purchase frozen squash for a quick prep option.

    A two image collage showing peanut butter and butternut squash on left and combined with meat on the right.

    Combine mashed butternut squash with smooth peanut butter.

    In a large bowl, combine the mixture with ground beef. Add garlic powder (can also use fresh garlic) and ginger. Mix using your hands, taking care not to overwork the meat! Shape into 1 ยฝ inch sized balls.

    A small oven shaped dish filled with water placed in the middle of sheet pan with meatballs.

    Place in single layer on baking sheet lined with parchment paper or mat for easy clean up. In a small oven-safe dish, add some water and place in the pan alongside the meatballs.

    Bake!

    Tips for making the best homemade meatballs

    A close up shot of 6 baked meatballs.
    • Combine the butternut squash and peanut butter before adding to the ground beef. This will allow you to gently mix in the meat.
    • Donโ€™t overwork the meat mixture. Your hands are seriously the best tools for mixing meatballs. You just want to mix until everything is combined. Otherwise, the meatballs will turn out tough.
    • When shaping the balls, work with slightly wet hands to prevent them from sticking to your hands. Otherwise, you may accidentally overwork them. 
    • Flip halfway through to prevent the bottoms from browning.
    • Don't forget to add the oven-safe dish filled with water. this helps create steam resulting in tender meatballs.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Will this recipe work with ground turkey?

    Absolutely! You can also use ground chicken, bison, pork...any ground meat will work.

    You should also try these moist turkey meatballs with rice! It's one of the most beloved recipes on my blog.

    What can I substitute peanut butter with?

    The peanut butter imparts a nutty flavor and creamy texture to these meatballs. If you donโ€™t want these elements, then you can substitute with 1 egg.

    If there's a peanut allergy or the daycare/school has a nut-free policy, swap with a seed butter (e.g. sunflower, pumpkin) or tahini.

    What is a good substitute for butternut squash?

    You can substitute with pumpkin or sweet potato.ย 

    Can I make these meatballs on the stovetop?

    You can, although it will be more time-consuming and messy. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the meatballs to the pan and cook on all sides for about 10-12 minutes.

    Easy Meatballs for Babies

    A two image collage showing how to serve meatballs to babies depending on age.

    For babies 6-8 months, you can serve these baby meatballs whole or halved so they can grab easily using their palmer grasp. Once they start developing the pincer grasp (around 8-9 months and will continue to get refined), you can start cutting into bite-sized pieces.

    P.S this plate is AMAZING! It's so spacious, allowing plenty of room for small hands to explore, and the suction is so powerful! My baby has not once been able to remove from the table.

    Serving Suggestions

    Enjoy as is or with your favorite sauce, like veggie-loaded tomato sauce, marinara sauce, sweet potato sauce, or Thai coconut sauce.

    For a well-balanced meal, serve them alongside vegetables, fruit, avocado, pasta, yogurt, toast, oatmeal....all easy, nutritious accompaniments.

    If you've been spoon-feeding purees and are feeling anxious about transitioning to more textured foods (acknowledge that and go at your comfort level), I suggest serving the meatballs alongside thicker purees or mashes. You can also mash the meatball and mix it into purees/mashes.

    Try preloading the spoon (we absolutely LOVE these!) and hand it to your baby or place on the table/plate. I know it can feel scary and overwhelming but I highly encourage you to start giving your baby opportunities to self-feed.

    Storage Suggestions

    • Store in an airtight container for 3-4 days in the fridge.
    • Freeze for up to 3 months. I personally flash freeze all my baked goods.

    To reheat, place in a skillet with a splash of liquid (e.g. water, broth, sauce, etc.). Cover and heat over medium-low heat until warm,  2-3 minutes or so. This is to ensure meatballs don't get dried out.

    More ground beef recipes

    • Baked Quinoa and Mushroom Beef Meatballs
    • Homemade Hamburger Helper
    • Easy Stuffed Shells with Meat and Veggies
    • One Pot Cabbage Lasagna

    Did you make this recipe? Leave a rating below and let me know how you liked the recipe! Your feedback means so much to me!

    Six meatballs on a wooden board with toddler grabbing one.

    Healthy Beef Meatballs

    These healthy beef meatballs are made with just 5 simple ingredients and are egg free and dairy free. Tender and flavorful, these are perfect for babies and kids of all ages!
    5 from 27 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Cook Time: 20 minutes
    Total Time: 30 minutes
    Servings: 18 meatballs
    Author: Min | MJ and Hungryman

    Equipment

    • Sheet Pan
    • Parchment Paper

    Ingredients

    • 1 pound ground beef
    • ยฝ cup (110 g) mashed cooked butternut squash
    • 3 tablespoons (60g) smooth peanut butter
    • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
    • ยฝ teaspoon ground ginger

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 400 degrees Farenheit. Lightly oil a baking sheet or line with parchment paper.
    • Combine mashed butternut squash with peanut butter.
    • In a large bowl, combine the mixture with ground beef and the seasonings. Mix gently using hands, taking care not to overwork the meat. Shape into 1 ยฝ inch balls.
    • Place on baking sheet. In a small oven-safe dish(es), add some water and place in the pan alongside the meatballs.
    • Bake for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway through. Inserted thermometer should read 160 degrees Fahrenheit.

    Notes

    • Store in an airtight container for 3-5 days in the fridge.
    • Freeze for up to 3 months. I personallyย flash freezeย all my baked goods.
    ย 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 61kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 3g
    Course Dinner
    Cuisine American
    Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Tag me @KidFriendly.Meals today!
    « How to Cook Frozen Broccoli (5 Ways)
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    About Min

    Thank you so much for stopping by! I am Min, a Registered Dietitian, a Christ follower, a wife, and a mom to our two miracle babies! Currently, Iโ€™m having a ton of fun feeding their tummies and sharing our baby led weaning journey! Follow me on Instagram if interested in seeing daily menu as well as tips and tricks.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. April says

      January 12, 2023 at 1:11 pm

      5 stars
      Oh my goodness! This recipe is AMAZING! It is so easy as well! Today, I made it with Turkey, sweet potato, and an egg! It is so soft and moist. I had to restrain myself from eating all of my nine-month oldโ€™s meatballs.

      Reply
      • Min says

        January 12, 2023 at 9:09 pm

        Aww yay!! I'm so glad to hear this!!

        Reply
    2. Andrea says

      November 23, 2022 at 8:35 am

      Can I use sweet potato instead of butternut squash?

      Reply
      • Min says

        November 26, 2022 at 8:38 pm

        Sure!

        Reply
    3. Farzana says

      November 17, 2022 at 3:23 pm

      Can you put this in the air fryer instead of oven?

      Reply
      • Min says

        November 17, 2022 at 7:56 pm

        I don't own one so not sure, but I've heard a lot of people finding success with using an air fryer to make meatballs so worth a try!

        Reply
    4. DB says

      November 13, 2022 at 10:25 am

      Can you use tofu and omit nut butter?

      Reply
      • Min says

        November 13, 2022 at 6:55 pm

        I haven't tried but I want to say it will work. Let me know if you try!

        Reply
    5. BH says

      October 24, 2022 at 5:49 pm

      5 stars
      My babyโ€™s favorite meatball recipe! Super easy and healthy!

      Reply
      • Min says

        October 24, 2022 at 7:40 pm

        I'm so glad!! Thanks for sharing!

        Reply
    6. Erin says

      May 24, 2022 at 11:38 am

      5 stars
      My 10 month old absolutely loves these!! They are a great texture for easy eating and incredibly flavourful. I love that they are packed with nutrients by including both the squash and PB. Thank you for this recipe! It is now a freezer staple for us

      Reply
      • Min says

        May 24, 2022 at 2:08 pm

        Woohoo! I love how easy this is to whip up too! thank you for sharing

        Reply
    7. Julie S says

      April 18, 2022 at 2:29 pm

      This looks great! Can you substitute the peanut butter for something else?

      Reply
      • Min says

        April 18, 2022 at 4:28 pm

        Any nut butter or tahini will work!

        Reply
    8. Amanda says

      February 16, 2022 at 7:45 pm

      Love making your recipes for my 9 month old!
      Do you use natural smooth peanut butter?

      Thanks!

      Reply
      • Min says

        February 17, 2022 at 3:11 pm

        I do!

        Reply
        • Amanda says

          February 18, 2022 at 7:22 pm

          Perfect! Making these this weekend! And thanks so much for the quick response!! ๐Ÿ™‚

          Reply
    9. Stacey says

      December 29, 2021 at 5:37 am

      Hi, hope youโ€™re well. Thanks for the recipe, so do you defrost before cooking or cook from frozen.

      Thanks x

      Reply
      • Min says

        December 29, 2021 at 7:46 pm

        I would thaw in the fridge overnight and cook briefly before serving

        Reply
    10. Jane Hong says

      November 10, 2021 at 10:14 am

      5 stars
      These are sooooo easy to make and super delicious! Even hubby approved. My baby chows them down like no tomorrow

      Reply
      • Min says

        November 10, 2021 at 10:27 am

        So glad to hear!!

        Reply
    11. Elaine says

      October 26, 2021 at 7:19 pm

      My son loves this meatball recipe so much! Thank you for sharing this recipe.

      Reply
      • Min says

        October 29, 2021 at 6:04 am

        So happy to hear!

        Reply
    12. Cynthia says

      September 27, 2021 at 10:16 pm

      Hi! Can I get some clarification for step 4? Where does the dish with water go exactly? Does it go in the (same) pan with the meatballs? If so, do I leave some space in the baking pan to put that bowl of water in? Sorry if this is a stupid question!

      Reply
      • Min says

        September 29, 2021 at 7:53 pm

        Hi yes! Place water in an oven safe dish and put it in the middle of the pan alongside the meatballs. Refer to this post as it includes a picture of how this is done - https://www.mjandhungryman.com/asian-turkey-rice-meatballs/

        Reply
        • Cynthia says

          October 01, 2021 at 2:17 am

          Got it. Thank you!

          Reply
    13. Annette Krivacek says

      September 20, 2021 at 9:25 am

      Hi! You might have stated this somewhere, but I couldnโ€™t find it and figured Iโ€™d ask! What type of ground beef do you recommend? Lower or higher fat? I know babies need the fat, but wasnโ€™t sure if 80/20, etc would make these too greasy? Excited to try these!

      Reply
      • Min says

        September 20, 2021 at 3:24 pm

        Yes 80/20 would be too greasy. I like to use 90% lean!

        Reply
    14. Saira says

      September 10, 2021 at 1:00 pm

      Delicious!!! And so unbelievable moist. Used sweet potato in lieu of butternut squash since I had it at home already. Also added some oregano and basil to some and it was also tasty ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
      • Min says

        September 10, 2021 at 8:01 pm

        yay!! So glad you enjoyed these!!

        Reply
    15. Ankitha says

      September 06, 2021 at 8:48 pm

      Hi , these look great, is there a substitute for ground beef ?we take chicken shrimp fish but don't consume beef often

      Reply
      • Min says

        September 09, 2021 at 3:39 pm

        You can do chicken or turkey!

        Reply
    16. Heather says

      September 01, 2021 at 4:43 pm

      I whipped these up and had them in the oven in less than 10 min. So easy and good. My picky almost 2 year old approves! These will be perfect to freeze and heat up for lunch. Thank you for the quick and yummy recipe!

      Reply
      • Min says

        September 01, 2021 at 6:00 pm

        So so glad to hear! It really doesn't get any easier than this, right? ๐Ÿ˜‰

        Reply

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    I am MJ, a registered dietitian and a mom of 2. I truly hope youโ€™ll enjoy all the recipes and tips that I share on what and how to feed your child!

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