I hate meatloaf! …but, what about *REAL* food MEATBALLS?
Last updated on March 12, 2026 by Jessica Healey
Originally published on September 23, 2013
A quote from one of my favorite movies of all time…
Randy:
Meatloaf, smeatloaf, double-beatloaf. I hate meatloaf.
The Old Man:
All right, I’ll get that kid to eat. Where’s my screw driver and my plumber’s helper? I’ll open up his mouth and I’ll shove it in.
For as long as I can remember, it’s been a tradition in my family to watch this movie (A Christmas Story) on Christmas Eve and intermittently throughout Christmas day.
You haven’t seen it!??? Please, watch it.
Over the years, meatloaf has gotten a bad wrap. It’s, too bad, really. I love a nice slice of *real* food meatloaf, and there’s so much you can do with a meatloaf!
So, (you or) your kiddos won’t eat meatloaf, but what about meatballs? Ehhh? Meatballs can be like little round individual meatloaves, I guess…right?
Well, that’s what I have created with this recipe. Here is a kid (and Mom & Dad) friendly recipe for *real* food meatballs, with a taste that resembles a lovely meatloaf.
They are versatile, in that they stand on their own, yet you could add any number of sauces to create entirely new dishes. They are flavorful, nourishing, and freeze very well! I usually make a double batch so that there are plenty around for a quick bite to eat for lunch, dinner, and yes…even breakfast.
*REAL* Food Meatballs
Equipment
- 1 large bowl
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper – or (my preferred tool) a baking mat (I use mine alllll of the time; it's an affordable and handy tool to keep in the kitchen)
- Ice cream scooper – (not necessary, but another really helpful tool for this recipe…and in general for your kitchen)
Ingredients
- 1 LB ground beef grass-fed/finished
- 1 LB ground pork pastured
- 3 slices cooked bacon finely chopped
- 1 small onion finely minced
- 1 large egg pastured
- 2 T milk
- 1/2 C cooked rice I use organic jasmine rice cooked in my homemade bone broth
- 1 C breadcrumbs I use my own homemade, sprouted breadcrumbs, but your favorite will work
- 3/4 C parmesan cheese shredded
- 1 t oregano
- 1/2 t basil
- 1/4 t garlic powder
Add To Fit Your Tastes…
- 1/8 t White pepper
- 1/4 t Sea salt
- 1/4 t Red pepper flakes
- 1/8 t Rubbed sage – I love this stuff
Instructions
- Grab a large bowl and dump in everything except the meats. Mix that all together thoroughly. ingredients into the bowl.
- Add the meats. Use your hands to work it all together. Do no overwork it or you'll have golf balls for meatballs! Just mix until everything is combined.
- Use ice cream scooper and make golf ball sized meatballs (or slightly smaller).
- Place meatballs on your baking sheet (not touching).
- Bake at 375℉ for about 20-25 minutes (until cooked through and nicely browned).
- I usually get between 35-45ish meatballs, depending on their size. Eat them within a few days &/or freeze the rest for later. They reheat nicely in the oven and on the stove.
Ta-da! Enjoy your little meatloaves…err, meatballs. You can feel good about serving these to your family, as they are full of healthy fat, excellent spices, and yummy sprouted grains.
I especially like them over rice with my homemade zesty BBQ sauce.
Enjoy, my *real* food friends.
Until next time…
xoxo,
Jess, aka Scratch Mommy
Let me just say…LURVE!
Thanks for linking up to Real Food Fridays 🙂
My boys love meatloaf, and I also use taco seasoning to make taco meatloaf, which they love. They also love meatballs, have some teens coming over Sunday think I’ll try your recipe. Pinning to my everything yummy board, thanks for sharing on Real Food Fridays, come back tonight and share some more. Mama needs more recipes.
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