Mini Meatballs For Babies & Toddlers

Name: Mini Meatballs Recipe for Toddlers
Prep time: 00:10
Cook time: 01:00
Total time: 01:10
Yield: 25
Ingredients: 250g lean minced pork lamb or beef; Half a small onion; 60g mushrooms; 2 tsp fresh herbs such as parsley or thyme; 30g fresh wholemeal breadcrumbs; 1 egg yolk; 1 tbsp good-quality vegetable oil; 250g fresh tomatoes (or 50ml passata); 150ml water or vegeta

Prep: 10-30 mins

Cooks in: 60+ mins

Serves: 25

Contains:

Eggs
Gluten
Wheat

Suitable for:

No dairy

Ingredients

For the meatballs:

250g lean minced pork, lamb or beef
Half a small onion
60g mushrooms
2 tsp fresh herbs such as parsley or thyme
30g fresh wholemeal breadcrumbs
1 egg yolk
1 tbsp good-quality vegetable oil

For the tomato sauce:

250g fresh tomatoes (or 50ml passata)
150ml water or vegetable stock (ideally homemade with no added salt, or a low salt alternative)
Half small onion
1 tbsp tomato purée
1 tbsp fresh herbs such as basil, parsley or thyme

Contains:

Eggs
Gluten
Wheat

Method

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 180°C / 350F / Gas mark 4. For the meatballs, finely chop the onion, mushrooms, fresh herbs (you can prep the onion and herbs for the sauce now as well).

See recipe notes

This is one of our favourite meatball recipes for baby led weaning once cool enough for little fingers to touch. Or, for older toddlers, the baby meatballs can be served with pasta or rice to make a meal for the whole family to enjoy.

step 1/5

Method

Step 2

Place all the ingredients, except the oil, in a bowl and mix thoroughly. Use your hands to divide and shape the mixture into 25 balls. Chill in the refrigerator while you make the sauce.

See recipe notes

step 2/5

Method

Step 3

For the sauce, finely chop the onion and herbs (if you haven't already) and skin, seed and chop the tomatoes. Put all of the ingredients in a pan and bring to the boil over a medium heat. Reduce the heat, cover and simmer for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from the heat and leave to cool slightly, then liquidise.

See recipe notes

step 3/5

Method

Step 4

Heat the oil in a frying pan over a medium heat. Fry the meatballs, turning them frequently, until they are lightly browned all over for about 5-10 minutes.

See recipe notes