Spicy Meatballs + Roasted Broccoli

Have you ever looked at the ingredients on a bag of frozen meatballs? There are so many completely unnecessary ingredients. Walmart's Great Value brand Italian Style Meatballs have soy flour, corn syrup, sugar (why do we need corn syrup and sugar?!), hydrogenated soybean oil (trans fats), and soy protein concentrate.

They're meatballs....why do we need soy? Why do we need corn syrup? Or sugar?I find it frustrating to buy meat only to realize how many other strange ingredients are in my food. I don't want soy. My body doesn't like soy. I wish food companies would stop putting it in everything. Homemade meatballs are much tastier and don't have any funky filler ingredients!

So today I have a recipe for Paleo Italian Sausage Meatballs to share with you! It's so easy to get creative with meatballs, and nothing beats fresh, homemade meatballs and spaghetti (squash)!

Ingredients:
3 small garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon sea salt
1 tablespoon paprika
1 teaspoon ground pepper
1 teaspoon Trader Joe's South African Smoke Seasoning Blend
1/4 cup chopped cilantro
1/2 teaspoon of ground chipotle chili pepper
2 teaspoons dried rosemary
1 tablespoon spicy brown mustard
2 lbs Italian mild sausage (organic, no corn/soy/wheat)
1 large egg
2 tablespoons milled flax seed

Optional:
1 spaghetti squash (cut in half, remove seeds, roast at 400 degrees for 50 minutes)
1 jar organic spaghetti sauce (no corn/soy/sugar)
       *I always add garlic, chili powder, and TJ's South African seasoning blend to the sauce.

Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
2. Combine all ingredients in a large mixing bowl and mix well. Don't be afraid to use your hands!
3. Roll mixture into golf-ball sized balls and place on foil-lined baking sheet.
4. Bake at 400 degrees for 25 minutes, or until browned and no longer pink in the middle.
5. (Optional) Serve over tomato sauce and spaghetti squash. Enjoy!

Here are the results:

I served the meatballs over spaghetti squash, with a side of Garlic Roasted Broccoli:

Garlic Roasted Broccoli
    Broccoli
    Fresh chopped garlic
    Olive Oil (Be generous with the amount you put on. You won't be ravenous by 10pm.)
    Seasoning of choice
    Salt and Pepper (if seasoning doesn't already contain salt)

Instructions:
   1. Preheat oven to 425.
   2. Cut and wash broccoli. Dry broccoli thoroughly. (Otherwise it won't get crispy in the oven!)
   3. Toss broccoli with garlic, olive oil, and seasoning. (I used Trader Joe's South African spice. I've also used Tony's, chili powder, and fajita seasoning. Experiment!)
   4. Place broccoli on a baking sheet and bake for 20 minutes.

Question for Readers: What's one thing you could buy frozen but you love to make fresh? Other than meatballs, I've enjoyed making homemade chicken broth and paleo chicken tenders made with almond meal!

Good night!