Stuffed Italian Meatloaf Balls - PCOS-Friendly Recipe
Nutrition per Serving
Ingredients
- Filling:
- Cooking spray
- 1 Tbsp. olive oil
- 8 oz cremini (baby bella) mushrooms, chopped
- ½ medium onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, chopped
- 1 tsp. dried oregano
- ¼ tsp ground black pepper
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
- Meatloaf:
- 1 lb lean ground turkey (7% fat)
- ½ cup oatmeal
- 2 egg whites
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ medium onion, minced
- 1 medium zucchini, shredded
- ½ tsp. salt (optional)
- ¼ tsp. ground black pepper
- Glaze:
- ½ cup ketchup
- ¼ cup balsamic vinegar
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F. Coat a large baking sheet with cooking spray.
- Heat olive oil in a medium sauté pan over medium high heat. Add the filling ingredients except the Parmesan cheese and sauté and until mushrooms and onions are tender and have expelled all of their liquid. Remove from heat, stir in the Parmesan cheese and set aside to cool.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the meatloaf ingredients until incorporated.
- Once the filling is cool, pulse the filling in a food processor until minced but still slightly chunky. Do not puree into a paste.
- Divide meatloaf mixture into 8 equal portions. Flatten one portion onto your hand to form a patty. Place on heaping Tablespoon of mushroom mixture into center of the patty and close your hand to form a ball around the mushroom mixture. Repeat for remaining meatloaf balls. Place onto the sprayed baking sheet and bake for 35 minutes.
- In a small bowl, whisk together ketchup and balsamic vinegar. After the meatloaf balls have baked for 35 minutes, brush each meatloaf ball generously with half the glaze. Return to the oven for 5 minutes, then brush the remaining glaze on the meatloaf balls and bake for 5 more minutes.
- MAKE IT GLUTEN-FREE: Verify that the ingredients that you are using are gluten-free, especially the oats (and not cross- contaminated) and this dish can be gluten-free.
How This Recipe Supports PCOS Management
Understanding the nutritional profile of what you eat is a powerful step in managing PCOS. Here is how the key ingredients in this Stuffed Italian Meatloaf Balls contribute to your health goals:
- Turkey: B vitamins play a role in energy metabolism and hormone regulation
- Egg: Contain choline which supports liver function and hormone metabolism
- Oat: Supports steady blood sugar release, reducing insulin resistance
- Olive oil: Anti-inflammatory properties make it especially beneficial for PCOS
- Garlic: May help reduce cholesterol levels often elevated in PCOS
PCOS Diet Principles in This Recipe
The PCOS diet focuses on three core principles: reducing inflammation, managing insulin resistance, and supporting hormonal balance. Every recipe in our collection is evaluated against these principles. This recipe excels in providing protein-rich ingredients that help regulate appetite hormones (ghrelin and leptin), and anti-inflammatory spices that target the chronic inflammation underlying PCOS. As part of a balanced PCOS meal plan, we recommend pairing recipes like this with a variety of nutrient-dense foods throughout the week to ensure you are meeting all your micronutrient needs.
Meal Prep Tip: This Stuffed Italian Meatloaf Balls can be prepared ahead and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Meal prepping is one of the most effective strategies for sticking to a PCOS-friendly diet, as it removes the temptation to reach for processed convenience foods when time is short.
Stop Second-Guessing Every Meal
Get a personalized eating plan for YOUR PCOS type. Know exactly what to eat this week.
No subscription. No commitment.
Not sure what to eat for PCOS?
Take a 60-second quiz and get a personalized 7-day meal plan.
Take the Quiz
Comments
Register or log in to add a comment