Quinoa Meatballs

For those whose kids don't care for quinoa on its own or kick and scream when it comes to eating veggies, we offer up this recipe. Packed with protein-rich quinoa and a variety of fresh vegetables, these meatballs are the perfect answer to kid food woes. And if you've never tried cooking with quinoa before, now is the perfect time to try!

Quinoa, pronounced “keen-wa,” is a complete protein that's easy to digest and possesses a mild, slightly nutty flavor. It's a great source of nutrition for kids and can be easily substituted for rice or couscous. Try serving these meatballs with gluten-free spaghetti for a hearty, healthy meal you can feel good about serving.

What You Need:

• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
• 1 1/3 pounds lean ground beef
• ½ cup quinoa, cooked in gluten free chicken or vegetable stock
• ½ cup onion, finely chopped
• ¼ cup carrots, grated
• ¼ cup zucchini, grated
• 2 large cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon fresh flat-leaf Italian parsley, chopped
• 2 tablespoons gluten-free ketchup
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire Sauce (Lee & Perrins is gluten free)
• 1 egg, slightly beaten
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon pepper
• ½ cup Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, freshly grated