Description

Spinach Garlic Meatballs combine the savory flavors of ground beef or turkey with fresh spinach and aromatic herbs, simmered in a rich marinara sauce. This recipe is perfect for a family meal, served over pasta, in a sub sandwich, or on their own with fresh basil garnish. Enjoy a hearty, nutritious dish that is easy to prepare and sure to please everyone at the table.

Ingredients

Units Scale

Meatballs

1 pound ground beef or turkey
2 cups fresh spinach, finely chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 large egg
1/2 cup breadcrumbs
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon dried oregano

Sauce

3 cups marinara sauce
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 small onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
Fresh basil leaves for garnish

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Prepare the Meatball Mixture: In a large bowl, combine the ground beef or turkey with chopped spinach, minced garlic, parsley, Parmesan cheese, egg, breadcrumbs, salt, pepper, and oregano. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are evenly incorporated.
Form the Meatballs: Shape the mixture into 20 evenly sized meatballs, about 1.5 inches in diameter, to ensure even cooking.
Cook the Meatballs: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the meatballs in batches, cooking for about 4-5 minutes on each side until browned all over. Remove the meatballs from the skillet and set aside.
Prepare the Sauce: In the same skillet, sauté the chopped onion and minced garlic until fragrant and translucent, about 3-4 minutes. Pour in the marinara sauce and stir well to combine.
Simmer Meatballs in Sauce: Return the browned meatballs to the skillet with the sauce. Cover and simmer on low heat for 15-20 minutes, allowing the meatballs to cook through and absorb the flavors.
Rest and Serve: Once cooked, remove the skillet from heat and let the meatballs rest for a few minutes. Serve the meatballs over cooked pasta, inside a sub sandwich, or simply on their own garnished with fresh basil leaves. Enjoy with garlic bread or a fresh salad as sides.

Notes

For a lighter option, substitute ground turkey for ground beef.
You can freeze uncooked meatballs for up to 3 months; cook directly from frozen by adding extra simmering time.
Use gluten-free breadcrumbs to make this recipe gluten-free.
If preferred, bake the meatballs at 400°F (200°C) for 20 minutes instead of pan-frying.
Add red pepper flakes to the sauce if you prefer a bit of heat.