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Spinach Garlic Meatballs

Spinach Garlic Meatballs
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Spinach Garlic Meatballs are a flavorful and nutritious dish combining fresh spinach, aromatic garlic, and hearty ground meat. Perfect for a quick weeknight meal or as a crowd-pleasing appetizer, these meatballs offer a healthy twist on classic comfort food with versatile serving options and easy preparation.

Ingredients

Scale

Meatball Mixture

  • 1 lb ground meat (beef, pork, or a mix)
  • 2 cups fresh spinach, washed and finely chopped
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1/2 cup bread crumbs (use gluten-free if needed)
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning (or substitute with fresh parsley, cilantro, or thyme)
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

For Cooking

  • 2 tbsp olive oil

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Spinach and Garlic: Wash and finely chop fresh spinach leaves. Mince the garlic cloves. Sauté the spinach lightly in a pan over medium heat just until wilted, then remove and set aside to cool. This softens the spinach and retains flavor without overpowering the meatballs.
  2. Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl, add the ground meat, cooled spinach, minced garlic, bread crumbs, egg, Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix gently but thoroughly using your hands or a fork until all ingredients are evenly incorporated to form a consistent mixture.
  3. Form the Meatballs: Shape the mixture into small, evenly sized meatballs about the size of a golf ball. Uniform size ensures even cooking. Place them on a parchment-lined baking tray or plate.
  4. Cook the Meatballs: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat and brown the meatballs on all sides for 5-7 minutes. Alternatively, bake them in a preheated oven at 400°F (200°C) for 15-20 minutes or until cooked through and golden brown. Baking reduces the need for extra oil and ensures even cooking.
  5. Serve and Enjoy: Serve the meatballs immediately with your favorite sauce or side dish. They are delicious hot or chilled, making them perfect for meals, snacks, or appetizers.

Notes

  • Don’t overmix the meat mixture to keep the meatballs tender and avoid toughness.
  • Drain excess moisture from spinach thoroughly to prevent soggy meatballs.
  • Use fresh garlic and herbs to maximize flavor.
  • Make all meatballs a consistent size to ensure even cooking.
  • Test cook one meatball first to adjust seasoning if necessary before cooking the rest.

Nutrition

Keywords: spinach, garlic, meatballs, healthy, gluten free, appetizer, quick dinner, nutritious

Find it online: https://homemademealz.com/spinach-garlic-meatballs/