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–+ servings
Easy Fennel and Pork Meatballs
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5 from 2 votes

Fennel and Pork Meatballs

These Fennel and Pork Meatballs are super tender, savory, and flavorful. These can be served as a low-carb dinner or as a delicious appetizer!
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Total Time30 minutes
Course: Appetizer, Entree
Cuisine: Italian-Inspired
Diet: Gluten Free
Servings: 15 meatballs
Calories: 134.84kcal
Author: Tracey Gene

Ingredients

The Meatballs:

  • 1 lb ground pork
  • ½ tsp fennel seeds
  • 2 garlic cloves minced
  • 1 shallot minced (about 2 tbsp)
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp oregano
  • 1 tsp granulated sugar
  • ½ tsp red pepper flakes
  • 2 tbsp of olive oil
  • 2 cup marinara either homemade or store-bought (we like Rao's Marinara Sauce)
  • 1 cup Havarti Cheese shredded, plus more to serve
  • 2 cup spinach
  • 1 tbsp fresh basil chopped, plus more to serve

Instructions

  • Add the ground pork, shallot, garlic, and seasoning to a mixing bowl. Use either your hand or a fork to combine the ingredients. 
  • Use a large cookie scoop to scoop out meatballs and place on a plate, or use a large spoon grab about 1 tbsp of the mixture out and roll into balls. 
  • Add olive oil to a pan and turn the burner on to medium-high heat. Add prepared meatballs to the pan and cover with the lid. Let the meatballs cook for about 7 minutes. Flip the meatballs, cover with the pan and cook for 3 additional minutes. 
  • Remove the meatballs from the pan to a plate. Reduce heat to medium and add the marinara sauce to the pan and scrape the pan's bottom to get all the brown bits off. Add 1 cup of shredded Havarti cheese and mix into the sauce. Add the spinach and toss together until the spinach wilts.
  • Add the meatballs back to the pan to cook for about 7 minutes. 
  • Add 1 tablespoon of fresh basil and toss to combine. 
  • Sprinkle additional Havarti Cheese and basil on top. Serve in a serving dish as an appetizer, or divide into bowls as a carb-free dinner. 

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 134.84kcal | Carbohydrates: 2.9g | Protein: 7.65g | Fat: 10.4g | Saturated Fat: 4.03g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1.25g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4.22g | Trans Fat: 0.15g | Cholesterol: 30.22mg | Sodium: 642.01mg | Potassium: 224.48mg | Fiber: 0.78g | Sugar: 1.59g | Vitamin A: 629.79IU | Vitamin C: 3.96mg | Calcium: 67.34mg | Iron: 0.99mg