Description
These Creamy Spinach Turkey Meatballs are tender, juicy, and packed with flavor! Made with lean ground turkey, fresh spinach, and Parmesan cheese, they are simmered in a rich, creamy garlic sauce. This dish is perfect for a cozy dinner and pairs wonderfully with pasta, rice, or mashed potatoes.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Meatballs:
- 1 lb ground turkey
- 1 cup fresh spinach, finely chopped
- ½ cup breadcrumbs (or almond flour for low-carb)
- ¼ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 large egg
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (for searing)
For the Creamy Sauce:
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 cup chicken broth
- ½ cup heavy cream (or coconut cream for dairy-free)
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch (mixed with 1 tbsp water, optional for thickening)
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
1. Prepare the Meatballs:
- In a large bowl, combine ground turkey, chopped spinach, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, egg, garlic, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning.
- Mix gently until just combined. Do not overwork the meat.
- Roll the mixture into 1-inch meatballs and place on a plate.
2. Sear the Meatballs:
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Sear the meatballs for 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown. They don’t need to be fully cooked at this stage.
- Remove from the skillet and set aside.
3. Make the Creamy Sauce:
- In the same skillet, melt butter and sauté garlic and red pepper flakes for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Pour in chicken broth and bring to a gentle simmer.
- Add heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper. Stir to combine.
- If the sauce needs thickening, stir in the cornstarch slurry and let it simmer for 2 minutes.
4. Simmer the Meatballs:
- Return the seared meatballs to the skillet.
- Simmer in the sauce for 8-10 minutes, until the meatballs are fully cooked (internal temperature 165°F/74°C).
- Stir in fresh parsley and adjust seasoning to taste.
5. Serve and Enjoy:
- Serve over pasta, mashed potatoes, or rice.
- Garnish with extra Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley.
Notes
- Meal Prep: These meatballs can be made ahead and stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
- Extra Veggies: Add finely chopped mushrooms or zucchini for more nutrition.
- Make it Spicier: Increase the red pepper flakes or add a dash of cayenne pepper.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Cuisine: Italian, Comfort Food, Healthy
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4 servings
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 22g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 34g
Keywords: Turkey Meatballs, Creamy Garlic Sauce, Spinach Meatballs, Healthy Dinner, Comfort Food