Italian Meatloaf (or Meatballs)

By Ashley Jean March 28, 2023 31 mins read 90 Views

This is my favorite meatloaf recipe. Meatballs are authentically Italian. However, meatloaf, as Americans know it, isn’t actually made in Italy. I have just added Italian seasonings and made it Italian Meatloaf. I believe that serving this classic ground beef mixture in a baked loaf is a unique American tradition.

Over the years I have tried many different meatloaf recipes, but this is the one my mother made. It's Italian-inspired in flavor, consistently cooks well, and always gets compliments from guests. In nearly 55 years of cooking, I have never found a better recipe. The only thing that made the recipe different was the use of 2-3 slices of white bread, leftover rolls, or biscuits for the flax roll or low-carb roll. The carb savings from switching to low-carb is not noticeable on our palates.

This delicious recipe is suitable for all Atkins and Keto diets. If you leave out the cheese, it can also be made Paleo-Primal. This recipe is what I use for meatloaf and Italian meatballs to make spaghetti. My meatballs are baked on a sheet pan for 30 minutes. Alternatively, you can fry them in medium heat. Baking meatballs is my preferred method of cooking. I don't usually turn them while baking so it's a no-brainer to bake over frying.

You can substitute 1 teaspoon of flax for the 2 T. Chia seeds, soaked for 10 minutes in 3 T. water or. Then add 1 tsp to the meat mixture. To avoid your meatloaf becoming dense/hard, you will want to do one.

INGREDIENTS:

1.5 lb. Lean ground beef (1 lb. beef+ 1/2 lb. Ground pork

2 oz. chopped yellow onion (more if your budget allows)

2 oz. chopped green pepper (more if your budget allows)

1 T. bacon grease

1/4 tsp. 1/4 tsp. dried oregano

1/4 c. chopped parsley

Beat 1 egg (or 2 if you don't want to use the flax meal).

1 T. flax meal/ground chia seeds, soaked for 10 minutes. In 3 T. water (or crumbled low carb biscuit/roll or another beaten egg).

2 T. Parmesan cheese grated

4 oz. Can tomato sauce (no added Sugar)

1/4 tsp. coarse ground black pepper

1/4 tsp. 1/4 tsp. salt

DIRECTIONS Soak flax meal (or chia) in water for approximately 10 minutes. As the mixture thickens, stir occasionally. In a large bowl, combine meat and vegetables. Cut onion and bell pepper into small pieces. Add the meat to the bowl. Add parsley, oregano and Parmesan. Add the soaked flax meal, salt, and pepper. Mix in all other ingredients, except tomato sauce. Mix all ingredients together with a fork or your hands until they are well combined. To allow the meat to fall onto the baking pan (I actually use the same saute pan). Reshape as desired. Roll into balls of 1/2 inch and place them on a large baking sheet. Bake covered for 30 minutes at 350oF. They will take 20 minutes to bake if you make meatballs. At the 30 minute mark, remove from oven and add 6 oz. Spread a can of tomato sauce over the meatloaf. Return to the oven for another 20-30 minutes. As every oven cooks differently, it is best to check the meatloaf at 15 minutes. You can test if the loaf is cooked by lightly pressing a knife against the top. The meatloaf should feel firm when it is done. The meatloaf should register 160o internal temperature on the thermometer in the middle. If not quite done, cook 5-10 minutes longer.

NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION:

Each serving is 4 oz. Serving size: ( with the tomato sauce topping).

349 cals, 22.9 g fat, 4.27g carbs, 1.1g fiber, 3.17g NET CARBS, 30.2g protein, 588 mg. sodium

Net Carbs drop about 1g. If you do not add tomato topping, the serving size is approximately 1g.

By: Peggy
Title: Italian Meatloaf (or Meatballs)
Sourced From: buttoni.wordpress.com/2023/03/28/italian-meatloaf-or-meatballs-2/
Published Date: Tue, 28 Mar 2023 18:05:08 +0000

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does lazy keto take to lose weight?

It can be hard to determine how long it takes for a lazy keto plan to lose weight. There are many factors that can influence the effectiveness of the diet, and they won't work for everyone. It depends on individual lifestyle, goals, and adherence to this type of diet.

A study suggests that you will see a decrease in bodyweight after approximately two weeks. You might notice a decrease in body weight after about two weeks. However, it is possible for factors like your caloric intake or body composition to cause inconsistencies. It is best to stick with the plan and keep track of your progress over a longer period.

For those who don't exercise regularly, there is no need to worry; even without physical activity, most people who follow this program can expect at least some weight loss during the first few months. When engaged in regular exercise coupled with sensible eating habits, it's possible that noticeable results could occur within as little as seven days.

If you are trying to change your lifestyle, like eating a healthier diet or engaging in exercise, consistency is important. You will be able to reach your goals quicker if your nutrition requirements and metabolism rate are met. With dedication, knowledge, and hard work, significant results from trying programs like lazy keto should appear quickly.

What is a suggested lazy keto diet for beginners?

Beginning your keto journey can be an exciting but intimidating endeavour. It's easy to become overwhelmed by all the books, websites, and nutrition advice out there. The "lazy keto diet", is a great option.

Rather than tracking every detail of your macros, a lazy keto diet focuses on reducing net carbohydrate intake to 25-50 grams daily to enter and stay in a state of ketosis. This approach is more relaxed than traditional keto diets since you don’t need to keep so close tabs on macronutrient ratios and caloric intake.

In simple terms, a lazy ketogenic eating plan allows you to skip tracking macros. Instead, it encourages you to eat whole foods low in carbs that you enjoy most.

This may be the right option for you if you are looking for a simpler way to live low-carb without having to sacrifice delicious meals or lose important nutrients. Lazy Keto can be a great choice for those just starting their journey to healthy eating.

Can you eat fruits on keto?

Do you want to know if fruit can be eaten on a low-carb diet? However, be cautious.

Keep carbs low to stay in ketosis, and burn fat. However, some fruits can be included in a balanced and healthy keto diet.

Low-carb fruits can be included in a keto diet, but they need to be consumed sparingly and with moderation. There are many different fruits with different carbohydrate content. For example, avocados are relatively low in carbohydrates, while bananas have significantly more carbs.

The sugar found in fruit is broken down by your body into glucose, which you use to generate energy. When you're trying to achieve nutritional ketisis, too much sugar can cause high blood sugar levels and lead to rapid weight loss. Be mindful of how much sugar you are consuming and don't overindulge in it.

Fresh fruit is more nutritious than processed sugary snacks. This will help you fuel your body, without the added carbs of desserts and processed snacks such as pies or candy bars.

If you are unsure whether eating fruit on the ketogenic diet is right for you, remember that fresh fruits are often healthier than sugary treats. But only if you eat a small amount at a time.

Statistics

Fats should replace the majority of cut carbs and deliver approximately 60–80% of your total caloric intake. (healthline.com)
It typically contains 70% fat, 20% protein, and only 10% carbs (9Trusted (healthline.com)
One older study found that the ketogenic diet improved insulin sensitivity by a whopping 75% (25Trusted Source (healthline.com)
Around 35% of total calorie intake is probably the upper limit. (healthline.com)
But, a 1-ounce slice of cheese delivers about 30% of the Daily Value for saturated fat, so if you're worried about heart disease, consider portion size when eating cheese. (eatingwell.com)

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How To

Common Mistakes to Avoid on a Ketogenic Diet

A ketogenic diet is only successful if you adhere to it correctly. Many people make mistakes in the beginning of their ketogenic journey. This can severely impact their progress.

It is important that you pay attention to the type of food and the amount you eat. You can lose weight by eating too many fats and making poor carb choices. You should monitor the amount of carbohydrate, fat, and proteins you consume for each meal.

Accidentally consuming hidden carbs could truly derail your efforts. Hidden carbs can be found in processed meats, parmesan cheese and other seemingly innocent foods. It's crucial to carefully read labels. Don't eat out if you don't know what to eat. Many restaurants have meals that exceed the recommended carb limits because they add sauces or starches such rice or potatoes.

Insufficient water intake can make it difficult to follow a keto-friendly lifestyle. During the transition to ketosis, your body will need a lot more fluids than usual, especially in the initial phase. Neglecting to adhere to this simple rule can cause side effects like fatigue, headaches, muscle cramps, and fatigue. This is easily avoided by drinking enough water!

Remember, you can't expect miracles overnight. It will take time for your body to adjust to burning fats rather than glucose. So be patient as you join the "keto community". You can keep track of your progress and be motivated. However, it is important to remember that this process takes time.