Spinach Garlic Meatballs Recipe Everyone Will Love Recipe
Delicious spinach garlic meatballs loaded with melted mozzarella inside a savory ground beef or turkey mixture, enhanced with fresh spinach, garlic, and Italian seasonings. These versatile meatballs can be baked or pan-seared and optionally simmered in marinara sauce for extra flavor—perfect for weeknight dinners or gatherings.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: About 20 meatballs 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb Ground Beef or Turkey (can substitute with lean turkey)
- 2 cups Fresh Spinach (sautéed to enhance flavor)
- 4 cloves Garlic (minced)
- 1 small Onion (optional, finely chopped)
- 1 large Egg
- 1 cup Breadcrumbs (can use oats or almond flour)
- 1/2 cup Grated Parmesan Cheese
- 8 oz Low-Moisture Mozzarella Cubes (use chilled to avoid leaks)
- 1 tbsp Italian Seasoning
- to taste Salt
- to taste Pepper
- 1/2 tsp Red Pepper Flakes (for heat)
- 1 tbsp Chopped Parsley (for freshness)
Instructions
- Sauté Spinach and Garlic: In a skillet over medium heat, sauté the fresh spinach and minced garlic until wilted, about 3-4 minutes. Remove from heat and allow the mixture to cool. Once cooled, finely chop the spinach for even distribution in the meatballs.
- Prepare Meatball Mixture: In a mixing bowl, combine ground beef or turkey, egg, breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, red pepper flakes, and the chopped sautéed spinach. Stir gently until all ingredients are just combined, being careful not to overmix which can toughen the meatballs.
- Form Meatballs: Take a portion of the meat mixture and flatten it in your hand. Place a chilled mozzarella cube in the center and carefully encase it by shaping the meat mixture into a ball, ensuring the cheese is completely sealed inside to prevent leaking during cooking.
- Cook the Meatballs: Choose your preferred cooking method. For baking, preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and bake meatballs on a lined baking sheet for 20-25 minutes until cooked through and golden. For pan-searing, heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and cook meatballs for 6-8 minutes per side until browned and cooked through.
- Optional Simmer in Sauce: To add extra flavor, gently simmer the cooked meatballs in warm marinara sauce for 5-10 minutes. This step helps infuse the meatballs with rich tomato flavor and keeps them moist.
- Rest Before Serving: Remove meatballs from heat and let them rest for 5 minutes to retain their juiciness and allow flavors to meld before serving.
Notes
- You can substitute ground beef with ground turkey for a leaner option.
- Using chilled mozzarella cubes helps prevent cheese from leaking out during cooking.
- If gluten-free, replace breadcrumbs with oats or almond flour.
- Simmering the meatballs in marinara sauce is optional but adds moisture and flavor.
- Adjust seasoning and red pepper flakes according to heat preference.
Keywords: spinach garlic meatballs, baked meatballs, mozzarella stuffed meatballs, Italian meatballs, healthy meatball recipe
