This Chimichurri Pesto Meatballs recipe right here is meal prep with big energy. When I was reheating this bad boy at the office, I had no less than 3 coworkers pop in & ask what I had cooked this week. The tantalizing aromas had the whole office absolutely buzzing. If you think that’s hard to believe… then you best not even LOOK at the pi chart that goes along with it. Over 60g protein per serving. What other blog has macros like that? This recipe is proof positive that my meal prep methodology is currently in 2050 at the earliest. What else need I even say about this one? Get in there and make it happen.
Chimichurri Pesto Meatballs
Equipment
Ingredients
For the Meatballs:
- 2 lbs ground beef 93% lean
- 3/4 cup bread crumbs
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp pepper
- 1/2 tbsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tbsp onion powder
- 1/2 tbsp paprika
For the Chimichurri:
- 1 cup parsley
- 2 tbsp oregano
- 1 cluster garlic
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
- 1 tbsp water optional
- 3/4 tsp salt
- 1 tsp pepper
- 1 tsp red pepper flakes
For the Sprouts:
- 1.5 pounds brussels sprouts
- 1 tbsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tbsp onion powder
- 1/2 tbsp paprika
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp red wine vinegar
- 1 tsp pepper
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
For the rice:
- 1 cup Jasmine Rice
Instructions
- Heat oven to 350°F. Line two large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Begin cooking rice according to your preferred method. I love my rice cooker!1 cup Jasmine Rice
- In a food processor or blender, combine parsley, oregano, & garlic. Pulse a few times to break down the herbs. Do not pulverize- as weird as it is may sound, you want it to remain slightly chunky.1 cup parsley, 2 tbsp oregano, 1 cluster garlic
- Stir in oil, red wine vinegar, salt, pepper, & red pepper flakes. If sauce is too thick, add a tablespoon or two of water to thin it out.1/4 cup olive oil, 1/4 cup red wine vinegar, 1 tbsp water, 3/4 tsp salt, 1 tsp pepper, 1 tsp red pepper flakes
- Chop brussels sprouts into halves. In a medium bowl, combine the chopped sprouts with garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, olive oil, red wine vinegar, black pepper, & red pepper flakes. Evenly mix, then spread over one of the large baking sheets.1 tbsp garlic powder, 1/2 tbsp onion powder, 1/2 tbsp paprika, 1 tbsp olive oil, 1 tbsp red wine vinegar, 1 tsp pepper, 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
- In a large bowl, mix 1/4 cup of the prepared chimichurri sauce with the bread crumbs, lean ground beef, eggs, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, & paprika. Mix well with your hands until the mixture is completely combined.2 lbs ground beef, 3/4 cup bread crumbs, 2 large eggs, 1 tsp salt, 1 tsp pepper, 1/2 tbsp garlic powder, 1/2 tbsp onion powder, 1/2 tbsp paprika
- Roll the meat mixture into 1 ½ inch balls (about 2 tablespoons each) and place on the baking sheet. You will make around 32 meatballs.
- Bake for 15 minutes. Turn the oven to broil and cook for 5 more minutes until the meatballs are browned and have reached an internal temperature of 165°F. Discard any fat that leaked out of the meatballs, then remove from the oven.
- Broil the sprouts for a few minutes, until desired crispiness has been achieved. Be CAREFUL here… the sprouts will burn incredibly fast is your are not on top of this.
- Separate the meatballs & sprouts into 4 separate servings, topping with remaining chimichurri sauce. Enjoy!
Nutrition
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👉 Meaningful Macros – Chimichurri Pesto Meatballs in MyFitnessPal.
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Why You’ll Love These Chimichurri Pesto Meatballs
Juicy, herb-loaded meatballs, roasted crispy brussels sprouts, and a tangy, garlicky chimichurri—this meal is absolutely elite for meal prep. And let’s talk about those macros: 62g protein per serving? Say less.
✅ Insane flavor from homemade chimichurri
✅ Meal prep-friendly & high-protein
✅ Crispy roasted brussels for the perfect sidekick
Ingredient Substitutions & Customizations
💥 Swap the protein – Try ground turkey or chicken for a leaner version.
💥 Make it dairy-free – Swap breadcrumbs for almond flour or omit altogether.
💥 Go low-carb – Serve over cauliflower rice instead of jasmine rice.
💥 Spice it up – Add extra red pepper flakes to the chimichurri.
💥 Extra crispy sprouts – Toss them in the air fryer for max crunch.
Expert Tips for Perfect Chimichurri Pesto Meatballs
🔥 Don’t overmix the meat – Overworking the meat will make the meatballs dense instead of juicy.
🔥 Let the chimichurri rest – Letting it sit for 15-20 minutes deepens the flavor.
🔥 Broil at the end – That extra 5 minutes under the broiler adds the perfect char.
🔥 Don’t walk away from the sprouts – They go from perfect to burnt FAST.
Serving Suggestions & Storage Tips
🥡 Storage: Keep in an airtight container for up to 4 days in the fridge or freeze for up to 3 months.
🔥 Reheating: Warm in a skillet over medium heat for the best texture or microwave in 90-second intervals.
🍽️ Garnish ideas: Extra chimichurri, a sprinkle of parmesan, or fresh herbs.
🥗 Pair it with: Roasted sweet potatoes, mashed cauliflower, or a fresh side salad.
Optional Garnishes
🌿 Extra chimichurri sauce
🧀 Grated parmesan
🍋 Fresh lemon wedges