As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Why Parmesan Meatballs with Sun-dried Tomato Pesto and Zoodles Are a Match Made in Heaven
Meatballs might seem simple, but they’ve got a story that goes way back. People have been rolling up bits of meat into tasty little balls for centuries—from ancient Persia to Italy’s famous spaghetti and meatballs. They’re a symbol of comfort, creativity, and the magic of making something amazing out of humble ingredients. And when you pair them with sun-dried tomato pesto? Oh, it’s a love story on a plate.

This recipe isn’t just delicious; it’s good for you, too. The pesto is loaded with healthy fats from olive oil and nuts, plus a burst of flavor from the sun-dried tomatoes. The meatballs? Packed with protein and cheesy goodness. And the zoodles keep things light and fresh. It’s like the best of all worlds: hearty, healthy, and irresistibly tasty.
Print
Parmesan Meatballs with Sun-dried Tomato Pesto
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings depending on size 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Easy
Description
What if comfort food could be healthy too?
Parmesan meatballs and zoodles are here to prove it’s not just possible, it’s downright delicious.
Ingredients
Parmesan Meatballs
- 500g Ground Meat
- 1/2 cup Breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup Grated Parmesan Cheese
- 1 Egg (beaten)
- Salt & Pepper to taste
- 1 Teaspoon Dried Oregano
- 1 Teaspoon Dried Parsley
- 2–3 Tablespoons Olive Oil
Sun-dried Tomato Pesto
- 1 cup sun-dried tomatoes
- 1/3 cup almonds or pine nuts (roasted)
- 2–3 cloves of garlic
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme
- 1 cup olive oil (give or take)
- Salt & pepper, to taste
Noodles
- Spiraled zucchini
Instructions
Sun-dried Tomato Pesto
- Toss everything into a food processor and let it work its magic until the mixture is finely chopped.
- Drizzle in the olive oil while it’s blending until the consistency feels just right, thick, but still spreadable.
- Give it a taste, adjust the seasoning, and stash it in a jar.
- It’ll keep for a week in the fridge, though you’ll probably use it up faster than that.
- When needed, heat a little pesto in a pan with some olive oil, toss in the meatballs, and coat them in that flavorful goodness.
- Serve it all up with zoodles and a shower of Parmesan.
Parmesan Meatballs
- Throw everything into a bowl and get your hands in there, mix until it’s all combined.
- Roll the mixture into meatballs about the size of a golf ball.
- Heat some olive oil in a pan over medium heat and brown the meatballs in batches.
- Don’t cram too many in at once; they need space to get that golden crust.
- Once they’re done, set them aside.
Zoodles
- Grab a couple of zucchinis and spiralize them to create your zoodles.
- No spiralizer? No problem, most stores have pre-made zoodles these days.
- Warm them up in the same pan you used for the meatballs so they pick up any leftover flavors.
- Don’t overdo it; they’re best with a little crunch.
Serving
- Combine the warm meatballs with the heated pesto, gently tossing to coat every bite.
- Pile it all on a bed of zoodles, then top with plenty of freshly grated Parmesan.
- If you’re feeling extra, drizzle a bit more olive oil on top, because why not?
Tips:
- No fresh thyme? Use basil or parsley instead.
- Want a little kick? Toss some chili flakes into the pesto.
- Leftover pesto? Spread it on toast, stir it into scrambled eggs, or use it as a sandwich spread. Trust me, it’ll elevate anything.
Notes
Created, Prepared, Tried, and Tested by Rochelle from SA Tasty Recipes – Saffas Daily Recipes
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 644
- Sugar: 1.3 g
- Sodium: 1043.4 mg
- Fat: 57.7 g
- Saturated Fat: 10.3 g
- Trans Fat: 0.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 11.1 g
- Fiber: 2.3 g
- Protein: 25.1 g
- Cholesterol: 85.8 mg

Thanks for dropping in and checking out the recipes and what’s on offer.
Thanks for dropping in and checking out the recipes and what’s on offer.
If you try out this delightful recipe, please let me know, rate it, and tag me on Instagram at @_esmesalon. I’m excited to see your amazing recreations, and I’m hooked on those mouthwatering photos!
We happily share our tasty and fantastic recipes and are excited to spread some love by sharing our posts at these awesome Linky Parties.
Copyright © 2025 esmesalon.com – All rights reserved.
Esme, this recipe sounds wonderful. We just made a meatball recipe, but I’m going to add this one to our newest recipes to try. It sounds so good. Thank you for sharing with us at The Crazy Little Lovebirds link party.
Hi Steph. Hope you will enjoy this one as well. Thank you for trying it out.
Esme,
Looks delicious!! Thanks so much for stopping by!! I hope you are enjoying your weekend!!
Hugs,
Deb
Debbie-Dabble Blog
Thank you for popping in here, Debbie. It’s a treat, and hope you get to test it out. Enjoy
Yum! It sounds and looks delicious!
Morning Amy. I love Parmesan and use it a lot, Hope you enjoy these meatballs with Parmesan.