Mama Mia Meatballs with Polenta

This meal is so yummy and old fashioned. So simple to make and so satisfying, this is a home run every time. Lucky me this is also a Weight Watchers recipe from their magazine! I am sorry I forgot to take a picture...I was so excited to eat! The kids eat everything here, except I make them noodles instead of polenta. I don't look at it as making multiple dinners. Consistency is a big deal at 2 and 3 years old. We always offer them to taste ours and sometimes they do and sometimes they don't. However, they still enjoy all the flavors we do!

Ingredients:
Meatballs
1/2 lb 95/5 ground beef
1/4 cup panko bread crumbs
1/4 cup grated sweet onion

1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 large egg 

2 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 tsp dried oregano
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper

Sauce
2 tsp olive oil
10oz sliced mushrooms
28oz crushed tomatoes
1/2 cup water
3 strips orange zest
1/2 cup chopped basil

Polenta
1/4 tsp salt
2 1/2 cups water
1/2 cup cornmeal
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Directions:
1. In a large bowl mix all the ingredients for the meatballs and mix well. Shape into 28 TBS sized meatballs. Set aside.

2. Heat 2 tsp olive oil in a Dutch oven and add mushrooms. Cook until they start to release their water, about 5 minutes.

3. Stir in tomatoes, water, orange zest and basil. Bring to a simmer.

4. Drop in the meatballs and make sure they are covered in sauce. Cover and let simmer until meatballs are cooked through. About 20-25 minutes.

5. Right before you are ready to serve make the polenta. Boil the water and salt. Slowly add the cornmeal and stir continuously to avoid clumps. Once all the cornmeal is added and blended. Stir in all the Parmesan cheese. Stir until blended.

6. Serve polenta topped with sauce and meatballs. Serving is 7 meatballs, 1/2 cup polenta and 3/4 cup of sauce - 7 Weight Watchers points