Introducing Meatballs in Tomato-Maple Sauce – far from your average tomato concoction, this sauce is a culinary delight, enriched with the tantalizing duo of balsamic vinegar and maple syrup.
Crafted with just a few simple ingredients, these succulent meatballs are a breeze to whip up, creating an irresistible family meal in no time. Adored by my kids and cherished by me – honestly, who can resist them?
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Calories in Meatballs in Tomato Maple Sauce
This yummy meatballs dish serves 4 and is 272 calories per serving.
If you're looking for more recipes within the same calorie range, you'll find an abundance of options in my dedicated collection of 200+ calorie recipes.
If you're following a calorie-controlled diet or a healthy eating plan, it's important to calculate your daily calorie intake using a reliable calorie calculator. Please note that the calorie counts provided are estimates and can vary based on specific ingredients and serving sizes. Personalizing your calculations is essential to meet your individual needs. By using a calorie calculator, you can make informed choices and stay on track with your dietary goals.
See the recipe card for full nutritional estimation.
Ingredients Needed
To prepare this yummy recipe, you will need the following ingredients:
- Beef Mince/Ground Beef: I opt for extra lean with 5% fat. Using mince leaner than this isn't something I'd recommend, as it tends to make the meatballs somewhat dry.
- Paprika, Garlic and Onion Powder: I use just the sweet originalpaprika (not smoked) and garlic and onion powder for additional flavour.
- Bell Pepper: red bell pepper adds a little texture to the meatballs
Onion: adds a touch of flavour and added texture. It softens and melds into the sauce as it cooks. - Garlic: fresh garlic minced, but lazy or jarred mince garlic is fine also
- Passata: commonly found in major grocery stores, typically comes in cartons or large glass jars. It's essentially sieved tomatoes, imparting richness and depth of flavour.
- Stock: Ensuring the correct proportion of stock cubes to water is essential for achieving the desired flavor intensity in your broth. It's essential to use the correct ratio of stock cubes to water, as not all stock cubes are identical. Using too few can lead to a bland, watery broth, while too many may create a stock that's overly salty.
- Balsamic Vinegar: It is recommended to use aged balsamic vinegar for the best flavour
- Maple Syrup: Maple syrup which is the star of the recipe infuses the tomato sauce with a unique sweetness, which harmoniously balances the tanginess of the balsamic vinegar, enriching the savoury meatballs with a deep, complex flavor contrast.
- Salt and Pepper - These basic yet essential flavour enhancers are key for elevating the taste of your dishes. No food will ever be bland when these are used to season to taste.
- Low Calorie Spray - Use your preferred choice of low calorie spray, I prefer olive oil or avocado sprays without any added emulsifiers.
Once you've gathered all the ingredients and prepared them accordingly, you're all set to create this easy and delightful recipe.
See the recipe card for specific quantities and instructions.
Variations and Substitutes
Homemade meatballs are always a crowd-pleaser, and this recipe is easy to customise. Whether you want to switch up the meat, add some spice, or boost the veggies, there are plenty of ways to make it your own.
- Ground Meats: Swap extra lean beef mince for ground turkey, chicken, or pork. For a richer flavour, try a combination of beef and pork mince.
- Vegetables: Add grated carrot or courgette (zucchini) to boost the veg content and keep the meatballs moist. Swap the red pepper for green, yellow, or even a handful of finely diced mushrooms for a deeper flavour.
- Spices and Herbs: Add some chilli flakes or a finely chopped red chilli to the meatball mixture or sauce for a bit of heat. Smoked paprika can replace regular paprika for a bolder, smoky flavour. You can also experiment with different herbs—basil, oregano, or thyme work beautifully here.
- Sauce Tweaks: For a creamier sauce, stir in a splash of light single cream or cream cheese. Prefer a chunkier texture? Use diced tomatoes instead of passata. If you enjoy a tangier flavour, add a little Worcestershire sauce.
- Sweetener Swap: Replace maple syrup with honey, agave syrup, or even a little brown sugar to balance the acidity of the tomatoes. You can use a granulated sweetener if you prefer, but as sweetener doesn't caramelize you may not get the same glossiness appearance to the sauce.
- Garnishes: Fresh basil or grated Parmesan can add an extra layer of flavour when serving
Sides for Meatballs in Tomato Maple Sauce
To accompany meatballs in tomato-maple sauce, consider the following side dish options:
- Cooked Pasta - tossed in a little butter and finely grated parmesan
- Rice - A fluffy bed of rice perfectly captures the sauce's flavours.
- Oven-Baked Homemade Fries - Crispy and comforting, adding a satisfying crunch.
- Roasted Broccoli - Offers a savoury and slightly smoky complement.
- Caramelized Carrots - Their natural sweetness echoes the maple syrup in the sauce.
- Mashed Potatoes - Ideal for soaking up the delicious sauce.
- Steamed Green Beans - A simple, healthy side that brings colour and crunch.
- Grilled Asparagus - Adds a touch of elegance and a slight charred flavor.
- Rustic Garlic and Parmesan Mashed Potatoes - an ideal base for soaking up the delicious sauce. Their rich taste and comforting texture complement the savoury meatballs and the sweet-tangy sauce
- Roasted or Sauteed Peppers and Onions - These make an ideal side dish. I prefer to season them simply with salt and black pepper, then sauté or roast them with a bit of olive oil spray.
These sides offer a range of flavours and textures that can enhance and balance the hearty appeal of meatballs in tomato-maple sauce.
More Meatball Recipes
Love a delicious meatball recipe? Check out some of these other options on Slimming Eats:
- Greek Moussaka Meatballs
- Saucy Asian Hidden Vegetable Beef Meatballs
- Cheesy Meatball Pasta Bake
- Southwestern Turkey Meatballs
- Firecracker Chicken Meatballs (Instant Pot and Stove Top)
- Creamy Tomato Orzo Soup with Chicken Meatballs
or if you would like more recipe ideas - head on over to the FULL RECIPE INDEX where you will find over 900 delicious recipes with calories and you can search by meal type, ingredients, course, diet and more.
All recipes on Slimming Eats have estimated nutritional information for your convenience.
FAQ for Meatballs in Tomato Maple Sauce
Certainly, you can substitute with any ground meat of your preference for the meatballs. Yet, for optimal tenderness, I suggest selecting a mince with no less than 5% fat content.
Yes, meatballs in tomato-maple sauce can be easily frozen. To do so, let them cool completely, then transfer into a freezer-safe container or bag, and freeze for up to 3 months. When ready to enjoy, they can be reheated to maintain their delicious taste and texture.
For reheating, thaw the meatballs and sauce before warming them up. In the oven, heat at 350°F (175°C) covered with foil, for 25-30 minutes. Alternatively, use the microwave by covering the dish and reheating on high for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through. These methods ensure your meatballs remain juicy and flavorful, just like when they were first made.
Maple syrup is ideal for this sauce because it adds great flavour and helps create a glossy finish as it caramelises. While a sweetener will still add sweetness, it won’t give the same sheen or depth of flavour, so keep this in mind if you decide to make the swap.
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Recipe Card
Meatballs in Tomato Maple Sauce
Meatballs in Tomato-Maple Sauce – far from your average tomato concoction, this sauce is a culinary delight, enriched with the tantalizing duo of balsamic vinegar and maple syrup.
Ingredients
For the meatballs:
- 500g (17.6oz) of extra lean beef mince (ground beef)
- 30g (1oz) of fresh breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons of 2% milk
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon of salt
- ½ teaspoon of black pepper
- ½ teaspoon of onion powder
- ½ teaspoon of garlic powder
For the sauce
- 1 small onion, chipped
- ½ red pepper, finely chopped
- 2 cloves of garlic, crushed
- low calorie spray
- ½ tablespoon of paprika
For the sauce:
- 1 cup (240g) of passata
- 1 tablespoon of tomato paste (puree)
- 1 cup (240ml) of chicken stock
- 2 tablespoons of maple syrup
- 1 tablespoons of balsamic vinegar
Instructions
- Add the breadcrumbs and milk to a bowl. Let them soak until the milk is fully absorbed.
- Add the ground beef, egg, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder to the bowl. Mix until well combined.
- Shape the mixture into 16 equal-sized meatballs and set them aside.
- Heat a frying pan over medium-high heat and coat it with low-calorie spray. Sauté the chopped peppers, onion, and garlic until softened.
- Stir in the passata, tomato paste, paprika, chicken stock, maple syrup, and balsamic vinegar. Bring the sauce to a boil.
- Place the meatballs directly into the sauce and spoon the sauce over them to ensure they’re coated. Reduce the heat to a simmer, cover with a lid, and cook for 20–25 minutes until the sauce has thickened and the meatballs are cooked through. If sauce becomes too thick you can add in a little more stock.
- For the last 5 minutes, remove the lid to let the sauce reduce fully.
- Serve with your favourite sides and enjoy!
Notes
Please see below for full nutritional info and additional details about recipe:
- Calories - scroll down to nutritional info box
- WW Points and other Slimming or Weight Loss programs - due to plans regularly changing and updating, we recommend calculating with the official tools you get as a member to those plans to ensure accuracy of values.
- Dairy Free Friendly
- Gluten Free Friendly - use gluten free breadcrumbs and stock
- Freezer Friendly ❄️ - see FAQ for freezing tips
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Nutrition Information
Yield 4 Serving Size 1 SERVINGAmount Per Serving Calories 272Total Fat 7gSaturated Fat 1gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 1gCholesterol 21mgSodium 861mgCarbohydrates 19gFiber 1gSugar 12gProtein 31g
Nutritional information and valuesetc are an estimate and is to be used for informational purposes only. Ingredients can vary greatly from brand to brand and therefore it would be impossible to give accurate information. It is always advised that you calculate by the ingredients you use.
Selina Taylor says
This is genuinely gorgeous, made it for a few dinner parties and everyone always asks for the recipe!
Siobhan (Slimming Eats) says
that is great to hear 🙂
Kay says
Another stunning recipe. You have such a talent for cooking.
Shevy (Slimming Eats) says
Awww thanks so much Kay - I love hearing that you are enjoying my recipes.
Alison Davies says
Can you use any maple syrup, even the cheaper type?
Siobhan (Slimming Eats) says
you definitely want to use 100% pure maple syrup
Sarah says
These look delicious, what would you serve them with? Usually have pasta and meatballs but not sure it’d work?
Siobhan (Slimming Eats) says
these go with anything, pasta, rice, syn free chips or mashed potatoes.
Brig says
Could I use panko breadcrumbs instead of fresh?
Siobhan (Slimming Eats) says
they should be okay, fresh make the meatballs more tender.