A Family Favorite: Apple and Cheese Meatballs with Bulgur

Tags Tags: kid-friendly recipes, ground meat, healthy dinner, bulgur, meatballs, apple dish, veggie-packed recipe

Spring Is Still on Hold – Apple Meatballs for Those Cold, Sick Mondays

It’s late May, but the weather certainly doesn’t show it. Over the weekend, we went to a birthday party at Normafa – a beautiful spot, full of laughter and running around. Unfortunately, it was so chilly that the kids caught a cold despite all the warm clothes.

And so the week began with two sniffly, slightly fussy kids.  

When it came to today’s lunch, I knew I had to make something the kids would eat without hesitation — a warm, comforting, and familiar meal they truly love.

I had a pack of ground pork shoulder in the fridge, which turned into today’s easy family lunch: apple-cheddar meatballs with bulgur and green peas.  

Soft, juicy, kid-friendly — and mom-approved, too.

Cheesy Apple Meatballs

Ingredients:

• 500 g ground pork

• 1 small apple, finely grated

• 1 small carrot, finely grated

• 1 small onion, finely chopped

• 1 egg

• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs

• 80–100 g grated cheddar cheese

• 1–2 tablespoons milk

• 1/2 teaspoon salt, pinch of black pepper

• Dried herbs to taste (e.g. oregano, parsley)

Instructions

1. Lightly squeeze the grated carrot and apple to remove excess moisture.

2. Combine all ingredients in a bowl and mix thoroughly.

3. Form about 40 small meatballs – perfect for little hands.

4. Bake on a parchment-lined tray at 220°C (430°F) for about 20 minutes, until cooked through and lightly golden.

Side: Buttery Bulgur with Green Peas

• 1 cup bulgur

• 2 cups water or vegetable broth

• 1 tablespoon butter

• 1 cup frozen green peas

Cook the bulgur with the butter and water, then add the peas during the last 5 minutes of cooking.

Serving Tip:

Serve the meatballs with the green pea bulgur, and add a side of yogurt dip if you like — it’s a little extra joy for the kids in our house.

Recipe Variations – To Keep Things Fresh

+ Spenótos verzió: 1 marék apróra vágott bébi spenótot is adhatsz a masszához

+ Gluténmentes: zsemlemorzsa helyett gluténmentes zabpehely vagy morzsolt puffasztott rizs

+ Pulykahúsból: sertés helyett szárnyas daráltbúsból is készíthető, könnyedebb ízvilág

+ Más sajt: cheddar helyett parmezán vagy reszelt mozzarella is jó választás

Anyateszt: siker!

„Nagyon ízlett mindkét gyerkőcnek.” – mondtam ezt boldogan, miközben ők már a második tányért kérték. Ennél nagyobb elismerés nincs is egy ilyen napon.

Ha kipróbálod, írd meg, nálatok hogyan vált be!