Imagine a mouthwatering meal that's not just delicious, but also quick, healthy, and incredibly easy to prepare. These Instant Pot Bison Meatballs are about to revolutionize your weeknight dinner routine! Packed with lean, protein-rich bison meat and bursting with Italian-inspired seasonings, this recipe transforms ordinary ingredients into a gourmet experience that will have your family begging for seconds.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 20 mins
Total Time: 30 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground bison
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 egg
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup marinara sauce
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine ground bison, breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, minced garlic, beaten egg, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix thoroughly but gently to avoid overworking the meat.
- Using clean hands, form the mixture into uniform meatballs approximately
- 5 inches in diameter. This recipe should yield around 12-16 meatballs depending on size.
- Pour 1/2 cup water into the Instant Pot inner pot and insert the trivet or steamer basket to prevent direct contact with liquid.
- Carefully place the formed meatballs onto the trivet in a single layer. If needed, cook in batches to avoid overcrowding.
- Close the Instant Pot lid, set the valve to sealing position, and select "Manual" or "Pressure Cook" mode at high pressure for 8 minutes.
- Once cooking completes, allow a natural pressure release for 5 minutes, then carefully do a quick release for remaining pressure.
- Remove meatballs and pour marinara sauce over them, gently coating each meatball. Alternatively, return meatballs to pot and simmer with sauce for additional 2-3 minutes.
- Serve hot, garnished with additional Parmesan cheese and fresh chopped parsley if desired. Pair with pasta, zucchini noodles, or crusty bread.
Tips
- Handle the meat gently when mixing and forming meatballs to keep them tender and prevent tough texture.
- Bison is leaner than beef, so be careful not to overcook to maintain moisture.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure internal temperature reaches 160°F for food safety.
- For extra flavor, consider toasting your breadcrumbs lightly before mixing.
- If you don't have an Instant Pot, this recipe can be adapted for oven baking or stovetop cooking.
- Leftover meatballs can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days and reheat beautifully.
- For a low-carb option, serve over cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles instead of traditional pasta.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 496kcal
Carbohydrates: 41g
Protein: g
Fat: g
Saturated Fat: 8g
Cholesterol: 296mg
