Spinach Garlic Meatballs:A Delicious and Nutritious Recipe
Spinach Garlic Meatballs offer a delicious and nutritious twist on classic meatballs, combining ground beef or turkey with fresh spinach and aromatic herbs. Perfectly cooked and served with marinara sauce, these meatballs make a comforting meal on their own, over pasta, or in a sandwich.
- Author: zara
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings (about 16 meatballs) 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing and Simmering
- Cuisine: Italian-American
- Diet: Low Fat
Meatballs
- 1 lb ground beef or turkey
- 1 cup fresh spinach, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup onion, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 egg
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
Sauce
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp dried basil or fresh basil leaves for garnish
- Prepare the Meatball Mixture: In a large bowl, combine ground beef or turkey, finely chopped spinach, minced garlic, onion, breadcrumbs, egg, Parmesan cheese, parsley, oregano, salt, and pepper. Mix well until all ingredients are evenly incorporated.
- Form the Meatballs: Shape the mixture into evenly sized meatballs, about 1.5 inches in diameter, to ensure uniform cooking.
- Cook the Meatballs: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the meatballs and cook, turning occasionally, until all sides are browned and meatballs are cooked through, approximately 10 to 12 minutes.
- Add the Sauce: Pour marinara sauce over the cooked meatballs in the skillet. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for an additional 10 minutes to allow flavors to meld and meatballs to absorb the sauce.
- Rest Before Serving: Once the meatballs are done, remove from heat and let them sit for a few minutes to set.
- Serve: Serve the meatballs over cooked pasta, inside a sub sandwich, or on their own. Garnish with fresh basil leaves for added aroma and flavor.
- Enjoy Your Meal: Complement the dish with a side of garlic bread or a fresh salad for a balanced and satisfying meal.
Notes
- Ground turkey is a leaner alternative to ground beef for a lighter meal.
- To make the meatballs gluten-free, substitute breadcrumbs with almond flour or gluten-free breadcrumbs.
- Fresh spinach adds nutrients and moisture; make sure to squeeze out excess water after chopping.
- Adjust seasoning to taste, especially salt and pepper.
- Leftover meatballs can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4 meatballs with sauce (approx. 200g)
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
Keywords: spinach meatballs, garlic meatballs, healthy meatball recipe, ground turkey meatballs, Italian meatballs, easy dinner recipe