Description
Delightful spinach turkey meatballs blend Mediterranean flavors with lean protein for a nutritious meal. Hearty and satisfying, this dish brings comfort to your dinner table with minimal effort and maximum taste.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (454 g) ground turkey
- 1 cup fresh spinach, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 egg
- ⅓ cup breadcrumbs (or almond flour for gluten-free option)
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp dried Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsps olive oil or butter
- 1 cup chicken broth
- ½ cup heavy cream (or coconut milk for dairy-free option)
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp cornstarch (optional, for thickening)
- ¼ tsp nutmeg (optional)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Meatball Preparation: Combine ground turkey, chopped spinach, breadcrumbs, egg, garlic, Parmesan, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper in a mixing bowl. Blend ingredients gently and form into 1-inch spherical meatballs, ensuring consistent size and delicate texture.
- Searing and Cooking: Heat skillet over medium temperature with olive oil. Brown meatballs in batches, rotating to achieve golden exterior and ensuring complete internal cooking. Cook approximately 8-10 minutes until reaching appropriate internal temperature. Remove and set aside.
- Sauce Creation: In the same skillet, sauté minced garlic until fragrant. Pour chicken broth, then integrate heavy cream and Parmesan, whisking to create smooth sauce. If needed, thicken with cornstarch dissolved in water. Optional nutmeg can enhance flavor complexity.
- Final Assembly: Return meatballs to sauce, coating thoroughly. Simmer 3-5 minutes to marry flavors. Serve over preferred base like pasta, rice, or roasted vegetables. Garnish with additional Parmesan and fresh parsley for visual and flavor enhancement.
Notes
- Prevent Tough Texture: Mix meatball ingredients gently and minimally to keep turkey tender and prevent dense, rubbery consistency.
- Achieve Perfect Browning: Ensure skillet is medium-hot and avoid overcrowding to develop golden-brown exterior without burning meatballs.
- Control Sauce Consistency: Whisk cream and Parmesan slowly to prevent sauce from breaking or becoming grainy; use cornstarch slurry sparingly for thickening.
- Dietary Adaptations: Substitute breadcrumbs with gluten-free alternatives like almond flour or crushed pork rinds for low-carb version; use Greek yogurt instead of heavy cream for lighter sauce.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg