“Spaghetti” and Meatballs

Plan Z Phase: This is a Z2 (ZReduction) recipe.

“‘Spaghetti’ and meatballs – yes, that’s what I said.  I think this is my favorite so far!” — Plan Z dieter Amy.

Servings: Serves 2-4

Ingredients:

Meatballs

• 1 lb sirloin
• ¼ cup minced onion
• 1 tsp garlic (fresh or the kind in the jar)
• 2 Tbl tomato paste (from the small can — you will use the rest in the sauce)
• 1/2 tsp salt
• ½ tsp pepper

Sauce

• 6 oz can of tomato paste
• 1/8 cup minced onion
• 2 tomatoes (seeded if desired – I left them in), chopped
• 2 tsp garlic
• 1 cup beef broth (less if you like thicker sauce)
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 tsp Italian seasoning

“Spaghetti”

• 1 large Vidalia onion
• 1/2 tsp salt
• olive oil spray

Instructions:

For the meatballs,  mix the sirloin, onion, garlic, tomato paste, salt and pepper together with your hands and form into meatballs. 1 lb of meat = 16 oz — make 16 meatballs and you know how much you are getting!

Bake on a cookie sheet for 20 minutes at 350 degrees.

For the sauce, saute the onions until soft, then your minced onions, chopped tomatoes, garlic,  beef broth, salt, remaining tomato paste, and Italian seasoning in a food processor or blender and blend until pureed. Pour into a saucepan and simmer over low for 20 minutes to get flavors melded. You can add more or less of the seasonings to suit your tastes.

For the spaghetti, slice the onion very thin using a mandolin if you have one (makes it easier). Put the onion strings in a large sauté pan sprayed with olive oil spray and add salt.  Saute until soft and flimsy like noodles.

Put ¼ of the onions on the plate, top with four meatballs and sauce – enjoy! This will be your meat and vegetable all in one.

Enjoy!

Cheers,