Spinach Garlic Meatballs
Spinach Garlic Meatballs combine savory ground meat with fresh spinach and fragrant garlic to create a nutritious, flavorful, and easy-to-prepare dish. Perfect as a quick meal or appetizer, they offer a healthy balance without sacrificing taste, suitable for busy weeknights or entertaining guests.
- Author: Elena
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings (approx. 20 meatballs) 1x
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb ground meat (beef, pork, turkey, or a mix)
- 2 cups fresh spinach, finely chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs (or almond flour for gluten-free)
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp olive oil (for cooking)
- Prepare the spinach and garlic: Finely chop fresh spinach and mince garlic cloves. Sauté them lightly in olive oil over medium heat until the spinach wilts and garlic becomes fragrant. Allow the mixture to cool to prevent cooking the eggs in the next step.
- Mix the meatball ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the ground meat with the cooled spinach and garlic mixture, breadcrumbs, egg, grated Parmesan, salt, and pepper. Mix gently until just combined, avoiding overworking for tender meatballs.
- Shape the meatballs: Form the mixture into evenly sized balls about 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter using your hands or a scoop. Arrange them on a baking sheet or plate ready for cooking.
- Cook the meatballs: To bake, preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Place meatballs on a greased baking sheet and bake for approximately 20 minutes or until golden and fully cooked through. Alternatively, pan-fry in olive oil over medium heat until browned on all sides and cooked through.
- Serve and enjoy: Serve meatballs warm with your favorite sides or sauce. Allow to cool if storing for later use.
Notes
- Do not overmix the meat to keep the meatballs tender.
- Use fresh garlic for a sharper flavor compared to powdered alternatives.
- Press out excess moisture from sautéed spinach to avoid sogginess.
- Ensure uniform meatball size for even cooking.
- Baking is a healthier option that uses less oil and still keeps meatballs moist.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5 meatballs
- Calories: 220 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 1.5 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg
Keywords: spinach meatballs, garlic meatballs, healthy meatballs, gluten free meatballs, quick dinner, kid-friendly meatballs