Cheesy Meatballs with Lemon Garlic Asparagus

Cheesy Meatballs with Lemon Garlic Asparagus – This easy and nourishing skillet meal is absolutely fabulous in every way imaginable! Cheesy turkey and pork meatballs just melt in your mouth and crunchy asparagus help keep carbs low. Just because you watch the carbs doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy warm, hearty, savory meals like this cheesy meatballs recipe. Gluten-free, paleo, low-carb, keto-friendly and ready in 30 minutes or less, these low carb meatballs and asparagus sure can be a lifesaver when the evening gets busy. Enjoy!

Photo credit: © Eatwell101.com

Ingredients list for the Cheesy Meatballs with Lemon Asparagus

• 1/2 lb (220g) ground turkey meat
• 1/2 lb (220g) ground pork meat (optional, see recipe notes)
• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella (or cheddar, provolone…)
• 4 cloves garlic, grated + 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon red crushed chili pepper flakes, optional
• 1 crumbled bouillon cube, optional
• Salt and fresh cracked black pepper, to taste
• 1 cup fresh chopped cilantro (or parsley), divided
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 1 bunch asparagus, trimmed
• Juice of 1/2 lemon
• 1 tablespoon hot sauce of your choice (we used Sriracha)

Photo credit: © Eatwell101.com

Photo credit: © Eatwell101.com

Photo credit: © Eatwell101.com

Photo credit: © Eatwell101.com

Photo credit: © Eatwell101.com

Photo credit: © Eatwell101.com

Photo credit: © Eatwell101.com

Photo credit: © Eatwell101.com

Directions

1. To make the cheesy meatballs: In a large bowl, combine ground turkey and ground pork, egg, cheese, grated garlic, Italian seasoning, bouillon cube, red chili pepper flakes, chopped cilantro, and black pepper. Mix well with your hands or fork and form medium golf-sized balls. Arrange the turkey meatballs on a plate and set aside.

2. Wash and trim the ends of the asparagus, then blanch them in boiling water for 2 minutes then soak in ice water to stop the cooking asparagus. This way they will cook asparagus faster and evenly in the skillet. You can skip this step if you have very thin asparagus. Drain and set aside.

3. Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Cook the meatballs for 8 – 10 minutes on all sides, until browned and cooked through. While cooking, baste the meatballs with the mix of butter and juices. Remove to a clean plate and set aside.

4. In the same skillet melt remaining tablespoon butter; then add lemon juice, hot sauce, minced garlic, and red pepper flakes (if you want). Add the blanched asparagus and toss for 2 minutes to cook it up for 3 or 4 minutes, stirring regularly, until asparagus is done but still crisp and juices have reduced a bit. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper and garnish with more cilantro or parsley if you like.

5. Push asparagus on one side of the skillet and add the turkey meatballs back to the pan and reheat for a minute or two. Garnish the turkey meatballs and asparagus with more parsley, crushed chili pepper, and lemon slices and serve your cheesy meatballs and asparagus immediately. Enjoy!

Tips for the meatballs and asparagus recipe

• Ground pork in this recipe allows the cheesy meatballs to be more juicy and tender. If you don’t eat pork, just double the amount of ground turkey, it’s delicious too!
• Make sure to cook the meatballs over medium heat to avoid burning them while still raw in the inside.
• This recipe is also perfect for a meal prep lunch the next day. Check this meatball meal prep recipe for a variant with chicken.
• If you use thin asparagus, you may skip blanching.

More meatballs recipes

• Cheesy Meatballs Casserole {Low Carb}
• Garlic Butter Turkey Meatballs with Lemon Zucchini Noodles
• Meal Prep Garlic Butter Chicken Meatballs with Cauliflower Rice
• Baked Turkey Meatballs with Lemon Garlic Butter Sauce

Photo credit: © Eatwell101.com