Feeding teens is a challenge! Not only do my sons have hearty appetites but they’ve also developed distinct likes and dislikes. In their early child years, I was assured they would pretty much eat everything on their dinner plate as presented. Now that they’ve grown up, getting them to try new foods is more difficult, especially when it comes to their tried-and-true favorites.
One of my go-to family favorite recipes that I know my sons will love (and that will fill them up!) is a basic fresh Italian marinara with noodles and meatballs recipe I (and my husband) have prepared hundreds of times. Though my husband prepares meatballs slightly different than I do, the kids enjoy either version… because of course, nothing tastes as good as food cooked with love from mom or dad, right? Or so I thought!
Initially, I had my skepticism about the Beyond Meat Italians Meatballs and how my family would react to the switch in our favorite dish. We’ve tried alternative meat products before, especially as we are fond of adding “meatless Mondays” to our weekly menu, but haven’t had much success in getting the whole family to enjoy the product. Until now…
Beyond Meat looks at meat differently, using protein from plants to create their products which range from chicken strips and tenders to meatballs and beef crumbles. 100 percent plant-based, they allow families to enjoy the recipes and tastes they love without the health or other downsides of animal proteins. This movement is finding plenty of support from athletes like J.J. Redick, David Wright, April Ross and Tia Blanco, who understand the benefits of plant-based proteins.
In essence, Beyond Meat has all the same properties, chew, building blocks and variations of meat, but is a better, plant-based product that aims to represent The Future of Protein.
The first thing I noticed about Beyond Meat Italian Meatballs was the texture, aroma and ease of preparation – all very much in alignment with preparing my standard meatball recipe but with less grease and less fuss! I could easily get used to including this quick and ready product into our family meals.
For the taste test, I prepared our meal as normal, simply swapping out the meatballs in the recipe. I decided I would serve my sons separately in order to get their authentic opinion without influence from the other, so I chose a day when they had opposite sport schedules so that they would be eating at separate times.
They knew they would be tasting a new product and they are certainly used to me whipping up all sorts of new recipes and sampling new products in the kitchen, so for them, it was business as usual in Rural Mom’s kitchen! They didn’t know the product would be Beyond Meat, a plant-based protein that is definitely different than any other meat or meatless product they’ve tried in the past.
I was genuinely surprised by their reactions. They knew I was video taping them but these are their unfiltered, unrehearsed reactions they had after their first bite or two of Beyond Meat Italian Meatballs in their favorite marinara dish. See if you are as surprised as I was by what they have to say:
What surprised me the most is that they preferred them to our normal recipe meatballs! I think I’m still recovering from that bit, ha ha!
Honestly, I enjoyed the Beyond Meat Italian Meatballs, too. They have excellent texture and flavor and I could enjoy them regularly. I have to say that unlike my sons, though, I do prefer our homemade meatball recipe more (especially my hubby’s as he adds shallots) but would not complain to have Beyond Meat Italian Meatballs served up instead. I’m eager to try more of their product line now and I’m thinking it’s going to be a great addition to our meatless Monday efforts.
How about a taste test of your own?
Right now, Beyond Meat is offering 5 lucky fans of Rural Mom (and other participating bloggers,) the chance to win some awesome prizes, including Le Creuset cookware, 3 months of Chef’d meal delivery, a $500 Visa Gift Card, and a chance to watch your favorite athletes like Maya Moore or J.J. Redick in action! Beyond Meat created the Future of Protein Sweepstakes as a fun way to encourage families to try the Future of Protein challenge with their own families. Here is how you can get started for your chance to win:
- Purchase discounted Beyond Meat products with this coupon
- Secretly substitute a Beyond Meat product in a family-favorite meal. Click here to download Beyond Meat product info and some Suggested Future of Protein Recipes.
- After everyone has enjoyed the meal, reveal to them that the meal they just ate was made from 100% plants! Capture their thoughts, comments, and of course, empty plates and happy faces.
Post your photos and a recap of the dinner to Instagram or Twitter by 11:00PM PST on 10/31, tagging “@BeyondMeat” and “#FutureOfProtein.” – this will automatically enter you in the sweepstakes. - Repeat whenever your family wants to enjoy protein-packed meals without the downsides of animal meat!
What family favorite recipe will you use Beyond Meat in first?
Ahhhh haaaaaa (in my best starwars voice!) Between Beyond Meat and Yoda Grace, we will win you all over to the meatless side. I have not tried this yet. I will have to see if our grocery stocks this.
Wow. Most of the time when I think I have so much meat intake, I feel so guilty for my health. Thank heavens for this meat alternative! 🙂
I love trying new meat alternatives. I’ll have to look for this the next time I’m at the store!
OMG, I have to see what happens when I serve my meatball sliders. I love the idea that it is meatless because we need to eat less meat but my daughter is like your boys pretty picky.
This is great – my daughter has recently decided to cut out all beef and pork, so this will be a great addition to our meatless recipes. It’s great there are so many options!
I eat a plant based diet and this looks like something I need to try. Looks delicious!
As a vegetarian I love this!! IT can be hard to find other sources of protein that my husband and I both like for dinner time.
I haven’t tried this yet but what a great alternative to meat. The meatballs look delicious.
I’d be so excited to try these meatballs! I would have never guessed they came from plants, yum!
I’m always looking for healthy meatless options. It’s always nice when they look and feel like traditional meat dishes and still taste good.
This sounds like a great taste test for my house. We are all big meat eaters and I would love to know if my husband would notice a difference.
I have seen so many great things about beyond meat. I really want to try some of their products because I am trying to cut back on eating meat.
Wow this looks delectable.!!! can’t wait to try this one. Thanks for sharing such a wonderful recipe
You can’t go wrong with pasta and red sauce. I am curious if my family would be able to tell the difference.
I think I”m going to have to try these. Meatballs is a huge favorite in this house, and I’d love to find more non-meat meals.
Hmmmm I dunno! My husband really loves his meat, but far be it from me to tell anyone how to eat. I will try anything once. It does sound interesting if anything.
I wonder if my kids would know the difference. Would love to try them out.
Hmmm, they look like actual MEAT balls. I need to try them out! Because I think they look delicious. Then again I have used meat substitutes before and personally didn’t mind them. My teenager is the picky one in that regard!!
These are making me super hungry right now! They look delicious and are so much more healthy I’m sure!
Yum this looks so yummy! I love that this is a protein alternative and that it tastes great!
These would be great to try with my kids! I always try to get them to try more foods.