These Creamy Spinach Turkey Meatballs are a healthy, protein-packed dish that’s tender, flavorful, and coated in a rich, creamy sauce. Perfect for weeknight dinners or meal prep, they pair wonderfully with rice, pasta, or roasted vegetables.
🛒 Ingredients
For the Meatballs:
1 lb (450g) ground turkey
1 cup fresh spinach, finely chopped
½ cup breadcrumbs (or almond flour for low-carb)
1 small onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 egg
¼ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
½ teaspoon dried oregano
For the Creamy Sauce:
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup heavy cream or Greek yogurt (for lighter version)
¼ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
½ teaspoon nutmeg (optional, enhances creamy flavor)
Salt & pepper to taste
🔪 Step 1: Prepare the Meatballs
In a large mixing bowl, combine ground turkey, chopped spinach, breadcrumbs, onion, garlic, egg, Parmesan, salt, pepper, and oregano.
Mix gently until all ingredients are well incorporated—avoid overmixing to keep meatballs tender.
Form the mixture into 1.5-inch meatballs using your hands.
🔥 Step 2: Cook the Meatballs
Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
Add meatballs and brown on all sides, about 3–4 minutes per side.
Remove meatballs from the skillet and set aside.
🥣 Step 3: Make the Creamy Sauce
In the same skillet, sauté minced garlic for 30 seconds until fragrant.
Add heavy cream (or Greek yogurt) and bring to a gentle simmer.
Stir in Parmesan cheese and nutmeg.
Season with salt and pepper to taste.
🥘 Step 4: Combine Meatballs & Sauce
Return meatballs to the skillet, coating them with the creamy sauce.
Simmer for 5–7 minutes until meatballs are fully cooked and the sauce thickens slightly.
🍽 Step 5: Serve
Serve over rice, pasta, or mashed potatoes.
Garnish with fresh parsley or extra Parmesan cheese.
For a low-carb option, serve over zucchini noodles or cauliflower rice.
💡 Tips for Perfect Meatballs
Tender meatballs: Don’t overmix the meat; gently combine ingredients.
Uniform size: Use a cookie scoop or spoon to make evenly sized meatballs for even cooking.
Spinach prep: Squeeze out excess water from spinach to prevent soggy meatballs.
Sauce variation: Add a teaspoon of Dijon mustard or a pinch of smoked paprika for extra flavor.
❓ FAQs
Q: Can I bake these meatballs instead of pan-frying? Yes! Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C) and bake for 15–20 minutes until cooked through, then toss in creamy sauce.
Q: Can I freeze the meatballs? Absolutely. Freeze cooked or raw meatballs in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Reheat in sauce when ready to serve.
Q: Can I make this dairy-free? Use coconut cream or cashew cream instead of heavy cream and a dairy-free Parmesan alternative.
These Creamy Spinach Turkey Meatballs are healthy, comforting, and packed with flavor—a perfect way to enjoy a creamy, protein-rich meal without heavy, processed ingredients.
