Meatball

There are many recipes for meatballs, but the dish most likely originated in ancient Rome. The Roman cookbook Apicius includes a recipe for isicia omentata, which are meatballs made with ground pork and beef, pine nuts, white wine, and a seasoning mixture of pepper, cumin, and oregano.

The dish became popular in other parts of Europe during the Middle Ages. In Sweden, meatballs are known as kottbullar, and the traditional recipe includes a mixture of pork and beef, bread crumbs, milk, onion, salt, and pepper. These meatballs are usually served with boiled potatoes, lingonberry jam, and pickled cucumber.

In Italy, meatballs are called polpettes, and the traditional recipe includes ground beef, bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese, parsley, eggs, garlic, milk, and salt. These meatballs are usually fried or baked, and served with a tomato sauce.

Jump to: Ingredient Breakdown Insights

Recipes

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North African Meatballs

  • MEATBALLS
  • all purpose flour
  • olive oil
  • milk
  • ground beef
  • ginger
  • salt
  • turmeric
  • day white bread
  • egg
  • cumin
  • black pepper
  • cayenne pepper
  • clove
  • coriander
  • nutmeg
  • paprika
  • cilantro
  • parsley
  • green onion
  • garlic
  • SAFFRON TOMATO SAUCE
  • saffron
  • salt
  • onion
  • cinnamon
  • olive oil
  • tomato paste
  • chicken broth
  • garlic
  • COUSCOUS (OPTIONAL)
  • salt
  • giant couscou
  • raisin
  • cinnamon
  • butter
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Rao's Meatballs With Marinara Sauce

  • MEATBALLS
  • salt
  • olive oil
  • pecorino romano cheese
  • ground beef
  • garlic
  • garlic
  • parsley
  • ground pork
  • veal
  • bread crumb
  • egg
  • SAUCE
  • salt
  • olive oil
  • oregano
  • salt pork
  • plum tomato
  • garlic
  • onion
  • basil
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Lamb Meatballs With Spiced Tomato Sauce

  • SAUCE
  • thyme
  • cumin
  • sugar
  • orange juice
  • salt
  • red pepper flake
  • tomato
  • orange peel ch
  • bay leaf
  • onion
  • rosemary
  • cayenne pepper
  • cinnamon
  • olive oil
  • MEATBALLS
  • cinnamon
  • parsley
  • heavy cream
  • salt
  • bread crumb
  • cumin
  • onion
  • cayenne pepper
  • red pepper flake
  • lamb
  • egg yolk
  • TOPPING
  • mint
  • feta
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Pressure Cooker Spaghetti and Meatballs

  • SAUCE
  • ricotta cheese
  • salt
  • tomato
  • black pepper
  • red pepper flake
  • parmesan cheese
  • basil
  • garlic
  • olive oil
  • spaghetti
  • MEATBALLS
  • ground beef
  • salt
  • egg
  • parmesan cheese
  • panko bread crumb
  • garlic
  • basil
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Sicilian Meatball Soup

  • tomato
  • pasta shell
  • egg
  • onion
  • zucchini
  • chicken broth
  • ground beef
  • rosemary
  • black pepper
  • parmesan cheese
  • bread crumb
  • olive oil
  • raisin
  • carrot
  • celery
  • salt
  • parsley
  • garlic
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30 Minute Butter Chicken Meatballs

  • coconut milk
  • tomato paste
  • ground turkey
  • garam masala
  • cayenne pepper
  • egg
  • ginger
  • panko bread crumb
  • greek yogurt
  • turmeric
  • onion
  • cilantro
  • butter
  • olive oil
  • curry powder
  • garlic
  • salt
  • rice
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Spiced Lamb Meatballs With Yogurt and Herbs

  • cilantro
  • red pepper flake
  • olive oil
  • turmeric
  • chicken broth
  • tart yogurt
  • cornstarch
  • coriander
  • cumin
  • lamb
  • bread crumb
  • onion
  • black pepper
  • sumac
  • cinnamon
  • cayenne pepper
  • feta
  • dill
  • salt
  • mint
  • egg
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Baked Meatballs

  • garlic powder
  • salt
  • egg
  • basil
  • parsley
  • bread crumb
  • parmesan cheese
  • lamb
  • ground pork
  • round
  • red pepper flake
  • spinach
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Cheesy Chicken Parmesan Meatballs

  • parsley
  • egg noodle
  • salt
  • ground chicken
  • oregano
  • egg
  • parmesan cheese
  • ricotta cheese
  • bread crumb
  • olive oil
  • garlic
  • bell pepper
  • pasta sauce
  • tofu
  • provolone cheese
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Vegetarian Swedish Meatballs

  • MEATBALLS
  • canola oil
  • chickpea
  • egg
  • salt
  • black pepper
  • nutmeg
  • onion powder
  • bread crumb
  • sour cream
  • bulgur wheat
  • allspice
  • mushroom
  • GRAVY
  • salt
  • parsley
  • sour cream
  • dijon mustard
  • mushroom stock
  • all purpose flour
  • butter
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Chicken Parm Meatball Subs

  • parsley
  • olive oil
  • chicken stock
  • parmesan cheese
  • grill seasoning
  • egg
  • provolone cheese
  • ground chicken
  • italian bread crumb
  • tomato
  • red pepper flake
  • garlic
  • ch sub roll
  • basil
  • pepper
  • salt
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Moroccan-Spiced Chicken Meatballs

  • salt
  • ground chicken
  • olive oil
  • garlic
  • light brown
  • sweet paprika
  • egg
  • yogurt
  • panko bread crumb
  • cumin
  • ginger
  • cinnamon
  • lemon juice
  • parsley
  • pine nut
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The Best Swedish Meatballs

  • heavy cream
  • ground beef
  • parsley
  • worcestershire sauce
  • olive oil
  • dijon mustard
  • egg
  • garlic powder
  • salt
  • panko bread crumb
  • allspice
  • nutmeg
  • onion
  • pepper
  • beef broth
  • all purpose flour
  • butter
  • salt
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Turkey-Spinach Meatballs

  • salt
  • cooking spray
  • oregano
  • fennel seed
  • lemon zest
  • salt
  • spinach
  • tomato
  • garlic
  • garlic
  • egg
  • ground turkey
  • parmesan cheese
  • bread crumb
  • onion
  • red pepper flake
  • onion
  • parsley
  • olive oil
  • tomato paste
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Spaghetti and Meatballs

  • wheat spaghetti
  • tomato
  • egg
  • onion
  • ground turkey
  • ground beef
  • parsley
  • black pepper
  • parmesan cheese
  • olive oil
  • bread
  • chicken broth
  • salt
  • garlic
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Jerk Chicken Meatballs With Barbecue-Pineapple Glaze

  • MEATBALLS
  • oil
  • ground chicken
  • parsley
  • garlic powder
  • egg
  • yellow
  • bread crumb
  • black pepper
  • salt
  • jamaican jerk seasoning paste
  • GLAZE
  • white rice
  • pineapple juice
  • cornstarch
  • garlic
  • onion powder
  • light
  • ketchup
  • salt
  • red pepper flake
  • worcestershire sauce
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Herbed Chicken and Spinach Meatballs

  • all purpose flour
  • olive oil
  • lime
  • cilantro
  • bread crumb
  • spinach
  • egg
  • serrano chile
  • ground chicken
  • heavy cream
  • black pepper
  • fennel seed
  • lemon zest
  • cayenne pepper
  • cinnamon
  • nutmeg
  • salt
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Meatball Subs

  • olive oil
  • salt
  • ground beef
  • egg
  • parmesan cheese
  • pasta sauce
  • basil
  • garlic
  • sub
  • mozzarella cheese
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Spicy Meatballs With Chickpeas

  • GRAVY
  • olive oil
  • salt
  • chicken
  • cumin
  • plum tomato
  • cinnamon
  • parsley
  • onion
  • red pepper flake
  • saffron
  • chickpea
  • MEATBALLS
  • coriander
  • cumin
  • lamb
  • onion
  • arborio rice
  • cinnamon
  • salt
  • garlic
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Italian Meatballs (Extra Soft and Juicy!)

  • red pepper flake
  • salt
  • egg
  • white bread
  • onion
  • water
  • parsley
  • parmesan cheese
  • ground beef
  • garlic
  • tomato passata
  • olive oil
  • italian seasoning
  • ground pork
  • onion
  • black pepper
  • parmesan cheese
  • parsley
  • pasta
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Meatless Meatballs in Marinara Sauce

  • olive oil
  • parmesan cheese
  • tamari
  • plant based vegan ground beef
  • salt
  • panko bread crumb
  • oregano
  • black pepper
  • parsley
  • onion
  • red pepper flake
  • pasta sauce
  • garlic
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Almost-Famous Swedish Meatballs

  • salt
  • salt
  • lingonberry jam
  • vegetable oil
  • bread crumb
  • worcestershire sauce
  • egg egg white
  • beef broth
  • milk
  • ground pork
  • onion
  • heavy cream
  • allspice
  • all purpose flour
  • parsley
  • butter
  • garlic
  • ground beef
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Slow Cooker Spaghetti and Meatballs

  • salt
  • parsley
  • panko bread crumb
  • sweet
  • spaghetti
  • ground beef
  • tomato
  • onion
  • red pepper flake
  • tomato paste
  • milk
  • red wine vinegar
  • garlic
  • egg
  • basil
  • red wine
  • parmesan cheese
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Chicken Parmesan Meatballs with Soft Polenta

  • salt
  • polenta
  • basil
  • olive oil
  • ricotta cheese
  • yellow cornmeal
  • egg
  • oregano
  • ground chicken
  • parsley
  • bread crumb
  • nutmeg
  • onion
  • onion
  • olive oil
  • parmesan cheese
  • garlic
  • garlic
  • tomato puree
  • butter
  • mozzarella cheese
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Meatballs

  • salt
  • ground beef
  • egg
  • italian bread ch
  • italian flat leaf parsley
  • olive oil
  • garlic
  • pecorino romano cheese
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Simple Baked Italian Oregano Meatballs.

  • ground italian sausage
  • gochujang
  • pomegranate molasses
  • san marzano tomato
  • egg
  • oregano
  • harissa
  • olive oil
  • cumin
  • white bread
  • provolone cheese
  • garlic
  • mozzarella cheese
  • pasta
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Chinese Spaghetti and Meatballs

  • black pepper
  • ground pork
  • triple spinach
  • wheat spaghetti
  • sesame oil
  • chinese 5-spice powder
  • egg
  • bell pepper
  • puffed rice cereal
  • snow pea
  • tamari dark soy
  • inches ginger root
  • sesame seed
  • vegetable oil
  • garlic
  • green onion
  • salt
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Crockpot Meatballs

  • italian seasoning
  • egg
  • ground beef
  • italian bread crumb
  • tomato
  • onion
  • parmesan cheese
  • parsley
  • garlic
  • pasta sauce
  • tomato
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Swedish Meatballs

  • Cream Gravy
  • heavy cream
  • lemon juice
  • salt
  • butter
  • all purpose flour
  • allspice
  • nutmeg
  • pepper
  • beef broth
  • Meatballs
  • ​ground beef
  • ground pork
  • allspice
  • nutmeg
  • pepper
  • parsley
  • egg
  • olive oil
  • salt
  • panko
  • onion
  • garlic
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Turkey Meatballs in a Creamy Red Curry Sauce

  • Curry Sauce
  • chili flake
  • fish sauce
  • sugar
  • cilantro
  • basil
  • salt
  • coconut milk
  • thai red curry paste
  • lime juice
  • sweet
  • garlic
  • Meatballs
  • cornstarch
  • red curry paste
  • basil
  • green onion
  • ground turkey
  • fish sauce
  • sugar
  • vegetable oil
  • salt
  • garlic
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Cheese Stuffed Bacon Meatballs

  • chuck
  • beef stock
  • chicken bouillon
  • black pepper
  • black pepper
  • worcestershire sauce
  • onion soup
  • onion
  • panko bread crumb
  • red pepper flake
  • olive oil
  • basil
  • oregano
  • garlic
  • tomato
  • tomato
  • bocconcini mozzarella ball
  • applewood smoked bacon
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Mojo Meatballs

  • white rice
  • black pepper
  • orange juice
  • lime juice
  • morton salt
  • cilantro
  • cumin
  • egg
  • ground pork
  • olive oil
  • onion
  • serrano chile
  • salt
  • panko
  • sugar
  • garlic
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Weeknight Meatballs

  • black pepper
  • tomato sauce
  • parmesan cheese
  • garlic powder
  • ground beef
  • panko
  • salt
  • milk
  • olive oil
  • egg
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Bun Cha - Vietnamese Meatballs

  • birds eye chilli
  • garlic
  • vermicelli noodle
  • oil
  • green onions scallion
  • water
  • white pepper
  • lime juice
  • rice wine vinegar
  • lemongrass paste
  • pork mince
  • fish sauce
  • sugar
  • garlic
  • beansprout
  • lettuce
  • cilantro
  • carrot
  • red chilli
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Turkey Meatballs

  • ground turkey
  • egg
  • bread crumb
  • oregano
  • pepper
  • salt
  • onion
  • parsley
  • garlic
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Big Beef Meatballs with Bucatini

  • parsley
  • salt
  • beef stock
  • bucatini
  • egg
  • sirloin
  • red wine
  • parmesan cheese
  • italian bread crumb
  • portobello cap
  • tomato
  • pancetta
  • allspice
  • sage
  • onion
  • caper
  • olive oil
  • garlic
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Vegetarian Meatballs

  • pasta sauce
  • oregano
  • fennel seed
  • chickpea
  • egg
  • parmesan cheese
  • italian bread crumb
  • black pepper
  • salt
  • olive oil
  • ricotta cheese
  • bulgur wheat
  • garlic
  • mushroom
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One Pan Meatball Casserole

  • milk
  • salt
  • oregano
  • garlic powder
  • onion powder
  • ziti pasta
  • mozzarella cheese
  • water
  • pasta sauce
  • meatball
  • parmesan cheese
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Spaghetti and Meatballs

  • bacon
  • ground beef
  • ground pork shoulder
  • veal
  • red pepper flake
  • parmesan cheese
  • spaghetti
  • black pepper
  • oregano
  • loaf ciabatta
  • heavy cream
  • pasta sauce
  • butter
  • olive oil
  • salt
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Chicken Teriyaki Meatballs

  • black pepper
  • salt
  • sesame seed
  • panko breadcrumb
  • cornstarch
  • light brown sugar
  • rice vinegar
  • vegetable oil
  • egg
  • bell pepper
  • onion
  • broccoli
  • ground chicken
  • soy sauce
  • mirin
  • ginger
  • red pepper flake
  • garlic
  • white rice
  • green onion
  • green onion
  • garlic
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Chicken Meatballs

  • black pepper
  • salt
  • panko breadcrumb
  • egg
  • lipton french onion soup
  • onion
  • ground pork
  • ground chicken
  • parsley
  • butter
  • parmesan cheese
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Chicken Marsala Meatballs

  • white meat chicken
  • salt
  • egg
  • shallot
  • all purpose flour
  • chicken broth
  • marsala wine
  • pecorino romano cheese
  • panko breadcrumb
  • black pepper
  • olive oil
  • parsley
  • milk
  • mushroom
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Classic Porcupine Meatballs

  • tomato sauce
  • water
  • vegetable oil
  • salt
  • ground beef
  • onion
  • garlic powder
  • pepper
  • worcestershire sauce
  • grain white rice

Ingredient Breakdown

 
salt
garlic
olive oil
egg
onion
black pepper
parsley
parmesan cheese
ground beef
red pepper flake
bread crumb
ground chicken
ground pork
oregano
tomato
cumin
basil
ginger
cilantro
butter
green onion
milk
chicken broth
panko bread crumb
panko
pasta sauce
cinnamon
pepper
ground turkey
all purpose flour
cayenne pepper
nutmeg
lamb
garlic powder
heavy cream
sugar
fish sauce
spaghetti
soy sauce
ricotta cheese
lemon juice
feta
allspice
worcestershire sauce
vegetable oil
water
spinach
tomato paste
white rice
chickpea
lime juice
coconut milk
turmeric
pecorino romano cheese
mint
carrot
cornstarch
bell pepper
onion powder
mushroom
italian bread crumb
beef broth
fennel seed
lemon
mozzarella cheese
ritz cracker
coriander
paprika
rosemary
italian sausage
broccoli
greek yogurt
provolone cheese
canola oil
dijon mustard
cooking spray
lemon zest
oil
white bread
panko breadcrumb
white
jalapeño
bay leaf
saffron
raisin
veal
plum tomato
lime
shallot
zucchini
orange juice
egg yolk
yogurt
dill
sour cream
bulgur wheat
chicken stock
sweet paprika
wheat spaghetti
pomegranate molasses
ketchup
hummus
persian cucumber
serrano chile
italian seasoning
pasta
sweet
red wine vinegar
red wine
san marzano tomato
sesame seed
red curry paste
caper
beef stock
tomato sauce
bacon
honey
vegetable
meat
chive
giant couscou
day white bread
clove
salt pork
peach
wine
thyme
orange peel ch
chile powder
hot sauce
tahini
cumin seed
orecchiette
pasta shell
celery
garam masala
curry powder
rice
tart yogurt
sumac
round
egg noodle
tofu
mushroom stock
sweet white miso
grill seasoning
ch sub roll
light brown
pine nut
locatelli cheese
chinese broccoli
rolled oat
bread
orange zest
pineapple juice
yellow
light
jamaican jerk seasoning paste
avocado
orzo pasta
eggplant
green
sub
loaf italian bread
grape
chicken
arborio rice
tomato passata
tamari
plant based vegan ground beef
all spice powder
lingonberry jam
egg egg white
polenta
yellow cornmeal
tomato puree
sherry vinegar
fennel
brown lentil
italian bread ch
italian flat leaf parsley
ground italian sausage
gochujang
harissa
triple spinach
sesame oil
chinese 5-spice powder
puffed rice cereal
snow pea
tamari dark soy
inches ginger root
​ground beef
chili flake
thai red curry paste
walnut
herb
white wine
marinated oil tomato
chuck
chicken bouillon
onion soup
bocconcini mozzarella ball
applewood smoked bacon
morton salt
cherry tomato
harissa paste
birds eye chilli
vermicelli noodle
green onions scallion
white pepper
rice wine vinegar
lemongrass paste
pork mince
beansprout
lettuce
red chilli
grape jelly
chili sauce
bucatini
sirloin
portobello cap
pancetta
sage
ziti pasta
meatball
brown sugar
ground pork shoulder
loaf ciabatta
italian bread
mushroom base
steak
cheddar cheese
hawaij
dill pickle
light brown sugar
rice vinegar
mirin
lipton french onion soup
white meat chicken
marsala wine
sriracha
grain white rice
rice vermicelli noodle
bok choy
shiitake mushroom
almond

Insights

Correlated with Higher Ratings

  • red wine
  • lime juice
  • veal
  • blue cheese
  • bay leaf
  • mushroom
  • egg yolk
  • ketchup
  • paprika

Staple Ingredients

  • salt 56%
  • egg 46%
  • garlic 39%
  • onion 32%
  • black pepper 30%
  • olive oil 28%
  • ground beef 24%
  • parsley 24%
  • bread crumb 18%
  • parmesan cheese 17%
  • milk 15%

Common Ingredients

  • ground pork 13%
  • oregano 11%
  • red pepper flake 10%
  • water 10%
  • garlic powder 10%
  • ginger 9%
  • ground chicken 9%
  • green onion 9%
  • pepper 9%
  • butter 9%
  • soy sauce 9%
  • tomato 8%
  • cilantro 8%
  • all purpose flour 7%
  • basil 7% See More
  • cumin 7%
  • panko 6%
  • worcestershire sauce 6%
  • sugar 6%

Usual Ingredients

  • lemon juice 5%
  • panko breadcrumb 5%
  • vegetable oil 5%
  • onion powder 5%
  • cayenne pepper 5%
  • panko bread crumb 5%
  • paprika 5%
  • ground turkey 4%
  • heavy cream 4%
  • lamb 4%
  • cornstarch 4%
  • ketchup 4%
  • mint 4%
  • italian seasoning 4%
  • spaghetti 4% See More
  • allspice 4%
  • brown sugar 4%
  • cinnamon 4%
  • honey 4%
  • nutmeg 4%
  • pasta sauce 4%
  • tomato sauce 4%
  • white bread 4%
  • beef broth 3%
  • chicken broth 3%
  • fennel seed 3%
  • sesame oil 3%
  • sour cream 3%
  • hot sauce 3%
  • thyme 3%
  • egg yolk 3%
  • meatball 3%
  • tomato paste 3%
  • coriander 3%
  • sesame seed 3%
  • 2%
  • bell pepper 2%
  • fish sauce 2%
  • mushroom 2%
  • celery 2%
  • cooking spray 2%
  • oil 2%
  • rice vinegar 2%
  • ricotta cheese 2%
  • white pepper 2%
  • chicken stock 2%
  • greek yogurt 2%
  • italian sausage 2%
  • lemon 2%
  • light brown sugar 2%
  • lime juice 2%
  • broccoli 2%
  • canola oil 2%
  • carrot 2%
  • chili powder 2%
  • jalapeño 2%
  • lemon zest 2%
  • mozzarella cheese 2%
  • mustard 2%
  • shallot 2%
  • veal 2%
  • white rice 2%
  • zucchini 2%
  • bay leaf 2%
  • dijon mustard 2%
  • lime 2%
  • pasta 2%
  • pork mince 2%
  • red wine 2%
  • apple cider vinegar 1%
  • barbecue sauce 1%
  • beef 1%
  • beef stock 1%
  • blue cheese 1%
  • bread 1%
  • chickpea 1%
  • chive 1%
  • coconut milk 1%
  • pecorino romano cheese 1%
  • red pepper 1%
  • spinach 1%
  • sriracha 1%
  • sweet paprika 1%
  • turmeric 1%
  • buttermilk 1%
  • chili sauce 1%
  • chipotle 1%
  • cumin seed 1%
  • dill 1%
  • feta 1%
  • garam masala 1%
  • hoisin sauce 1%
  • italian bread crumb 1%
  • nonstick spray 1%
  • oat 1%
  • pineapple 1%
  • red wine vinegar 1%
  • rice 1%
  • ritz cracker 1%
  • rosemary 1%
  • smoked paprika 1%
  • yogurt 1%