large pot, blender/ food processor, knife, mandoline/spiralizer, skillet, zester/grater
Ingredients
Nomato Sauce *modified for serving 6 people
3tspSolid Cooking Fat(like ghee or butter)
1onion
8ozCarrots4 medium carrots, chopped
8ozBone Broth
1lbsBeets3 medium beets, chopped
5tspChopped Garlic(4 cloves of garlic)
1tbspFresh Thyme
1tbsp Fresh Rosemary
4tbspFresh Basil
Spaghetti "Noodles" & Meatballs
2lbsGrass Fed Ground Beef
1tbspFresh Rosemary
1tbspFresh Thyme
1tbspFresh Sage
1tspSea Salt(omit!)
2tbspSolid Cooking Fat(like ghee or butter)
3lbsZucchini(about 6 medium zucchini)
1tbspFresh Basil
1Lemon
Savvy Alternates
3.5lbsSpaghetti Squash(ONE squash, sub for zucchini)
3tbspExtra Virgin Olive Oil(add-on for squash)
Instructions
Nomato Sauce
Heat the cooking fat in a heavy-bottomed pot on medium heat. When the fat has melted and the pan is hot, add the onion and cook for about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for another couple of minutes, stirring. Add the beets, carrots, thyme, and rosemary and cook for another couple of minutes.
Add the bone broth and salt; bring to a boil. Lower the heat, then cover and simmer on low for 30 minutes, or until the vegetables are soft.
Carefully transfer the mixture to a blender and puree.
Add back to the pot and stir in the fresh basil, turning on the heat to cook for 5 more minutes.
Serving suggestion: on top of cooked spaghetti squash or zucchini noodles.
"Spaghetti" and Meatballs
In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, fresh herbs, and salt.
Using your hands, form into large, 2- to 3-inch meatballs.
Heat 1 tablespoon of the cooking fat in a skillet on medium heat. Add the meatballs and brown well on all sides. Add the Nomato Sauce, cover and turn down to a simmer. Cook for another 10 to 15 minutes, or until the meatballs are cooked throughout.
Meanwhile, heat the remaining cooking fat in the bottom of another skillet or a wok. When the fat has melted and the pan is hot, and the succhini noodles and cook, tossing them gently, until they soften (about 5 minutes).
Serve a plate of zucchini noodles, meatballs, and sauce garnished with the chopped basil and lemon zest.
Variation: Feel free to use any kind of ground meat for this recipe, or a combination thereof. You can also replace the zucchini noodles with cooked spaghetti squash.
Notes
WHOLE RECIPE: Total Calories: 3,150 kcal . Total Cost - $25.00 . Grade - C . *Monthly Cost - $949Programming Notes:
YES! This recipe is Paleo, Wheat & Gluten Free, lactose/dairy free.
Nutrition Facts Label: for Mickey Trescott's original recipe with zucchini noodles.
Original recipe calls for adding 1 tsp of salt. Don't add it. The recipe doesn't even need it.
PLEASE stop by our "SAVVY ALTERNATES" table below this recipe. I (Dana Ketter, MS, RDN, CPT) recommend using spaghetti squash instead of zucchini noodles, capitalizing on the free "beet greens", and cutting the amount of beef in half OR making our "Vegan Paleo Meatballs Exist" instead of beef, for a lower-cost meal that's better for health now and in the long-run.
.*This refers to the monthly grocery bill if TWO PEOPLE ate cumulatively 4,000 Calories per day, and only ate this meal all month long. If you're running calculations for one person, divide "monthly cost" in half.
Nutrition
Nutrition Facts
"Spaghetti" and Meatballs with Nomato Sauce (AIP book)
Amount Per Serving
Calories 525Calories from Fat 279
% Daily Value*
Fat 31g48%
Saturated Fat 11g69%
Cholesterol 122mg41%
Sodium 540mg23%
Potassium 1487mg42%
Carbohydrates 27g9%
Fiber 7g29%
Sugar 14g16%
Protein 35g70%
Vitamin A 7021IU140%
Vitamin C 63mg76%
Calcium 119mg12%
Iron 6mg33%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.