Making great meatballs is all about using a basic ratio of ingredients, and customize it using a pound of ground meat — any kind will work, even fish if you want to take it in that direction. Add bread crumbs for lightness, salt and Parmesan and egg to bind all the meat and spices together. To make them as tender as possible and cooked evenly, we bake them in this recipe instead of frying. Using the basic recipe below, you can adjust the recipe to make an infinite variety of meatballs. Be sure to see how we ROCK OUT this recipe below to make various types of meatballs for any taste.

• 1 lb. ground meat (beef, chicken, pork, bison, salmon)

• ¾ cup Italian breadcrumbs

• ¼ cup sweet yellow onion, diced

• ¼ cup preferred sugar or sugar substitute

• 1 egg (or preferred egg replacement)

• 2 teaspoon kosher salt

• 1 teaspoon cracked black pepper

• 1 TBSN minced garlic

• 1 TBSN dried parsley

• 1 TBSN dried basil

• 1 TBSN dried oregano

• 2 TBSN Worcestershire sauce

• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese

• 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes

• 1 cup preferred sauce (marinara, teriyaki, Alfredo)

Medium mixing bowl, mixing spoon, measuring spoons, aluminum foil, measuring cups, large baking sheet, baster, sharp carving knife Prep: 15 minutes prep Cook: 20 minutes Ready: 35 minutes Serves: 4

Before you handle any food, wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water. Clean your kitchen work area and pull back your hair or wear a cap. You want to avoid contaminating your meal with harmful bacteria that could cause food illness.

To make Epic Gourmet Meatballs: 1. Preheat an oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C).

2. Cover baking sheet with aluminum foil and coat with cooking spray.

3. In a large bowl, combine all ingredients and mix thoroughly with wet hands.

4. Form meat mixture into balls about 1-1/2 inches in diameter.

5. Arrange balls onto the baking sheet.

6. Bake them in the preheated oven until browned and fully cooked through, 15 to 20 minutes.

1 serving:

• Total Fat: 23 g

• Saturated Fat: 9 g

• Cholesterol: 123 mg

• Sodium: 482 mg

• Potassium: 427 mg

• Total Carbohydrates: 10 g

• Dietary Fiber: 1 g

• Protein: 23 g

• Sugars: 2 g

The health benefits from this recipe will greatly depend on the type of ground meat that you use. However, most varieties of ground meat are an excellent source of various vitamins and minerals, including vitamin B12, zinc, selenium, iron, niacin, and vitamin B6. When we eat beef we not only feel better but also look better. It gives various skin benefits and helps reduce skin problems in a natural way. By adding meat to your regular diet you will get a clear and glowing skin. Our body needs the energy to perform daily tasks and meat is the best meal to feel energetic all the day. It provides an energy boost and keeps our muscles in good health. Ground beef is nutritionally complete and provides all the nourishment that our body needs. The addition of ground beef to your diet will prevent your body from infections and allergies. It is the great source of nutrients including Vitamin E that is necessary to keep our body safe from cancer like diseases. When we are stressed we need more food and ground beef is the best meal to take in that situation. Ground beef is perfect to break stressed-out mindset. Eating this you will feel full for a long time during times of stress.

Italian Meatballs

Follow recipe and use 1 lb ground chuck, increase minced garlic by one TBSN, and add a TBSN of marinara sauce and shredded Mozzarella cheese on top before baking.

Filet Mignon Meatballs

This is the favorite meal of Iron Man's Robert Downey, Jr. Follow recipe and use 1 lb ground Filet Mignon (ask this of your butcher). Drizzle top of meatballs with melted butter before baking.

Rosemary Salmon Meatballs

Follow recipe and use 1 lb ground fresh salmon (ask this of your butcher). Replace oregano with dried Rosemary. Replace Worcestershire sauce with Dijon mustard. Drizzle top of meatballs with melted butter before baking.

Spicy Cajun Meatballs

Follow recipe and use 1/2 lb. ground pork and 1/2 lb ground chuck, replace Worcestershire sauce with Hot Sauce, and replace oregano and basil with Cayenne Pepper and Smoked Paprika.

Chicken Parmesan Meatballs

Follow recipe and use 1 lb of ground chicken breast, increase minced garlic by one TBSN, and add a TBSN of marinara sauce and shredded Mozzarella cheese on top before baking.

Garlic Butter Meatballs

Follow recipe and use 1 lb ground chuck, increase minced garlic by one TBSN, and drizzle top of meatballs with melted butter before baking.

Cowboy Bison Meatballs

Follow recipe and use 1 lb ground bison meat, replace Parmesan cheese with Cheddar cheese, replace oregano with chili powder, add a 1/4 cup of crumbled bacon, and drizzle top of meatballs with preferred BBQ sauce before baking.

Teriyaki Meatballs

Follow recipe and use 1 lb ground chuck, replace oregano with ground ginger and drizzle top of meatballs with teriyaki sauce before baking. Remove from oven and sprinkle with sesame seeds.