Savory Spinach Turkey Meatballs Recipe: A Wholesome Delight

Succulent meatballs bursting with wholesome spinach turkey goodness promise a delightful culinary adventure.

These protein-packed spheres blend lean ground turkey with vibrant green spinach for a nutritious twist.

Each meatball delivers robust flavor and tender texture that will have everyone at the dinner table asking for seconds.

Seasoned with aromatic herbs and carefully selected spices, this recipe transforms simple ingredients into a memorable meal.

Crafted with love and simplicity, these meatballs work wonderfully as a main course or appetizer.

Prepare to be amazed by how quickly these delectable morsels disappear from your serving platter.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Calories: 380 kcal

Servings: 4

Creamy Spinach Turkey Meatballs Ingredient Rundown

• Ground Turkey: Lean protein that creates a lighter, healthier meatball with delicate texture.
• Fresh Spinach: Adds vibrant color, nutritional boost, and subtle earthy flavor to the meat mixture.
• Breadcrumbs: Helps bind ingredients and ensures tender, moist meatball consistency.
• Egg: Acts as a natural binding agent to hold meatballs together during cooking.
• Garlic: Provides aromatic depth and classic savory undertone to the meat.
• Parmesan Cheese: Contributes rich, salty flavor and helps enhance overall meatball texture.
• Italian Seasoning: Blends herbs that infuse Mediterranean-inspired taste profile.
• Salt and Pepper: Essential flavor enhancers that balance and elevate the entire dish.

• Chicken Broth: Creates liquid base with rich, foundational flavor for sauce.
• Heavy Cream: Delivers luxurious, silky texture and decadent mouthfeel.
• Additional Parmesan Cheese: Adds creamy, nutty complexity to sauce.
• Cornstarch: Natural thickening agent that provides smooth, consistent sauce consistency.
• Nutmeg: Optional aromatic spice that introduces warm, sophisticated undertone.

• Olive Oil: Provides healthy fat for sautéing and preventing ingredients from sticking.
• Fresh Parsley: Optional bright garnish that adds fresh, herbaceous visual appeal.

Tools That Help Shape and Simmer These Juicy Meatballs

• Large mixing bowl: Essential for combining meatball ingredients thoroughly.
• Skillet: Perfect for browning meatballs and creating creamy sauce.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Precise for measuring ingredients accurately.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: Great for mixing meatball ingredients and stirring sauce.
• Sharp knife: Needed for chopping spinach and mincing garlic.
• Tongs: Helpful for turning meatballs while cooking.

How to Make Spinach Turkey Meatballs from Scratch

• Create Meatball Mixture

Grab a big mixing bowl and toss in ground turkey, finely chopped spinach, and breadcrumbs. Gently fold in an egg, crushed garlic, Parmesan cheese, and seasonings. Mix everything just until combined, keeping the texture light and tender.

• Shape and Prepare Meatballs

Roll the meat mixture into bite-sized balls about the size of a golf ball. Let them rest while you prep the cooking surface.

• Brown the Meatballs

Heat a skillet with a splash of olive oil over medium heat. Carefully place meatballs in the pan, turning them every few minutes to get a beautiful golden-brown color on all sides. Cook until they’re fully done and have a nice crispy exterior.

• Whip Up the Creamy Sauce

In the same pan, sauté some garlic until it becomes wonderfully fragrant. Pour in chicken broth and let it simmer. Stir in heavy cream and Parmesan cheese until the sauce becomes silky smooth. If needed, thicken with a touch of cornstarch.

• Bring It All Together

Return the cooked meatballs to the pan, coating them generously with the luscious sauce. Let everything simmer together for a few minutes to blend the flavors. Serve over your favorite base and sprinkle with extra Parmesan and fresh herbs.

Swap Cream Sauces or Add Cheese for a Twist

• Meaty Moisture Magic: Avoid overmixing the ground turkey to keep meatballs incredibly juicy and tender, ensuring a light, delicate texture.
• Freezer-Friendly Feast: Prepare extra meatballs and freeze uncooked for up to 3 months, perfect for quick future meals – just thaw and cook as needed.
• Dietary Swap Solutions: Replace breadcrumbs with gluten-free alternatives like almond flour or crushed pork rinds for low-carb and gluten-sensitive diets.
• Protein Power Boost: Experiment with lean ground chicken or a mix of ground turkey and lean beef for varied protein profiles and richer flavor combinations.
• Veggie Volume Trick: Finely grate zucchini or add extra chopped spinach to increase vegetable content while maintaining the meatballs' delightful texture and moisture.

Serve With Pasta, Rice, or Crusty Bread

• Pasta Paradise: Serve these creamy spinach turkey meatballs over fettuccine or linguine for a classic Italian-inspired meal that hugs your taste buds with comfort.
• Veggie Bed Delight: Create a low-carb option by nestling the meatballs on a bed of roasted zucchini noodles or cauliflower rice for a lighter, nutrient-packed dinner.
• Appetizer Elegance: Transform the meatballs into bite-sized party starters by serving them on toothpicks with extra sauce for dipping, perfect for game nights or cocktail parties.
• Salad Topper Twist: Slice the meatballs and scatter them over a fresh green salad with a drizzle of the creamy sauce for a protein-packed lunch that feels gourmet and satisfying.

Store and Reheat Meatballs That Don’t Dry Out

• Meal Prep Magic: Cook double batches of meatballs and freeze in portion-sized containers for quick future meals.
• Refrigerator Rescue: Store leftover meatballs and sauce in airtight containers, keeping them fresh for 3-4 days. Separate sauce from meatballs to maintain texture when reheating.
• Freezer-Friendly Feast: Carefully pack cooled meatballs and sauce in freezer-safe containers, lasting up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before gently reheating in a skillet or microwave.
• Smart Reheating Strategy: Warm meatballs slowly in the sauce to prevent drying out. Add a splash of chicken broth if the sauce becomes too thick during reheating, maintaining the original creamy consistency.

Hearty Spinach Turkey Meatballs Recipe

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4.9 from 33 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Hearty Creamy Spinach Turkey Meatballs blend Mediterranean flavors with comforting home-style cooking. Rich protein and leafy greens create a satisfying meal perfect for weeknight dinners.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 lb (454 g) ground turkey
• 1 egg
• 1 cup fresh spinach, finely chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• ¼ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• ½ cup heavy cream (or coconut milk for dairy-free option)
• ⅓ cup breadcrumbs (or almond flour for gluten-free option)
• 1 tsp dried Italian seasoning
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp cornstarch (optional, for thickening)
• ¼ tsp nutmeg (optional)
• 2 tbsps olive oil or butter
• 1 cup chicken broth
• Salt and pepper, to taste

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Instructions

1. Mixture Preparation: Combine ground turkey, spinach, breadcrumbs, egg, garlic, Parmesan, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper in a large mixing bowl, ensuring thorough and even blending.
2. Meatball Formation: Craft uniform spherical meatballs about one inch in diameter, maintaining a light touch to preserve a tender texture.
3. Searing Process: Heat a skillet with olive oil over medium temperature, carefully positioning meatballs to develop a golden-brown exterior through strategic rotation, cooking completely within 8-10 minutes.
4. Sauce Creation: Utilize the same skillet to sauté garlic, then introduce chicken broth, heavy cream, and Parmesan cheese, whisking until a smooth, luxurious sauce emerges.
5. Sauce Refinement: If needed, incorporate a cornstarch slurry to thicken the sauce, optionally enhancing with a hint of nutmeg for added complexity.
6. Final Fusion: Gently return meatballs to the creamy sauce, allowing them to simmer and absorb flavors for 3-5 minutes.
7. Plating and Presentation: Serve the creamy spinach turkey meatballs atop pasta, rice, or roasted vegetables, finishing with a sprinkle of Parmesan and fresh parsley for an elegant touch.

Notes

• Manage Meat Moisture: Mix ingredients gently without overworking to prevent dense, tough meatballs that can become dry and rubbery during cooking.
• Maintain Consistent Size: Use a small ice cream scoop or tablespoon to create uniform meatballs, ensuring even cooking and professional presentation.
• Control Cooking Temperature: Keep skillet at medium heat to develop golden-brown exterior without burning, which helps seal in juices and create perfect caramelization.
• Boost Flavor Variations: Experiment with alternative herbs like thyme or sage, swap turkey for ground chicken, or add red pepper flakes for subtle heat and personalized taste profile.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 400
• Sugar: 1g
• Sodium: 500mg
• Fat: 30g
• Saturated Fat: 10g
• Unsaturated Fat: 20g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 10g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 30g
• Cholesterol: 100mg