Description
Tender and flavorful meatballs made with ground meat, fresh spinach, and garlic, perfect for serving with pasta, in subs, or as an appetizer.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef or ground chicken/turkey
- 2 cups fresh spinach, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp dried Italian seasoning
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp olive oil (for pan-frying or baking sheet greasing)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C) or heat olive oil in a skillet if pan-frying.
- In a large bowl, combine ground meat, spinach, garlic, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, egg, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper.
- Mix gently until just combined – do not overmix.
- Shape mixture into 1-inch meatballs and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet or plate.
- Bake for 18–20 minutes, or pan-fry for 10–12 minutes, turning occasionally until browned and cooked through (internal temperature 165°F / 74°C).
- Serve warm with marinara sauce, pasta, or as a protein-packed snack.
Notes
- Use ground turkey or chicken for a leaner version.
- Double the batch and freeze cooked meatballs for quick meals.
- Add extra Parmesan for a cheesier flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 20 mins
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking or Pan-Frying
- Cuisine: Italian-American