Description
This classic comfort meal brings together juicy homemade meatballs, perfectly crispy fries, and a refreshing salad. It’s a balanced and delicious meal that’s perfect for family dinners or a cozy weekend meal. Serve it with your favorite dipping sauce for a truly satisfying dish!
Ingredients
Scale
- For the Meatballs
- 1 lb ground beef (or ground turkey for a lighter option)
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 egg
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (for pan-frying)
- For the Crispy Fries
- 4 large potatoes, peeled and cut into fries
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika (optional for extra flavor)
- For the Fresh Salad
- 4 cups mixed salad greens (such as arugula, spinach, and lettuce)
- 1 cucumber, sliced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/4 red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup feta cheese, crumbled (optional)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Make the Meatballs:
- In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, parsley, egg, garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper.
- Mix everything together until just combined. Be careful not to overwork the mixture.
- Form the mixture into meatballs, about 1-2 inches in diameter. You should get around 12-15 meatballs.
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add the meatballs to the skillet and cook for 8-10 minutes, turning occasionally, until browned on all sides and cooked through.
- Remove the meatballs from the skillet and set aside.
- Make the Crispy Fries:
- Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C).
- Place the potato fries in a large bowl and toss with olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika (if using).
- Spread the fries evenly on a baking sheet in a single layer.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and crispy.
- Once cooked, remove from the oven and set aside.
- Prepare the Fresh Salad:
- In a large bowl, combine the mixed greens, cucumber slices, cherry tomatoes, red onion, and feta cheese (if using).
- Drizzle with olive oil and balsamic vinegar, and toss to coat.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve:
- Serve the meatballs with the crispy fries and fresh salad on the side.
- Enjoy with your favorite dipping sauces like ketchup, mustard, or a tangy barbecue sauce.
Notes
- You can bake the meatballs instead of frying them if you prefer a healthier option. Simply bake at 400°F (200°C) for 15-20 minutes, or until cooked through.
- For extra crispy fries, soak the cut potatoes in water for 30 minutes before baking to remove excess starch.
- Add any additional veggies to the salad, such as bell peppers, olives, or avocado.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 meatball, serving of fries, and salad
- Calories: 700
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 35g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 25g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 70mg