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Spinach Garlic Meatballs

A cozy, kid-friendly dish featuring savory meatballs filled with mozzarella, spinach, and garlic - perfect for busy weeknights and family gatherings.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 250
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 1 lb Ground Beef or Turkey Can substitute with lean turkey
  • 2 cups Fresh Spinach, sautéed Enhances flavor
  • 4 cloves Garlic, minced Backbone of the savory taste
  • 1 small Onion, finely chopped Optional, adds sweetness and depth
  • 1 large Egg Binder to hold everything together
  • 1 cup Breadcrumbs Can use oats or almond flour
  • 1/2 cup Grated Parmesan Cheese Adds saltiness and umami
  • 8 oz Low-Moisture Mozzarella Cubes Chill to avoid leaks
  • 1 tbsp Italian Seasoning To taste
  • to taste Salt
  • to taste Pepper
  • 1/2 tsp Red Pepper Flakes For heat
  • 1 tbsp Chopped Parsley For freshness

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Sauté the spinach and garlic until fragrant and the spinach has wilted. Squeeze out excess moisture before mixing.
  2. In a mixing bowl, combine the ground meat, sautéed spinach and garlic, finely chopped onion (if using), egg, breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, red pepper flakes, and chopped parsley. Mix gently until just combined.
  3. Take a small handful of the mixture, place a chilled mozzarella cube in the center, and form into a meatball, sealing the cheese inside.
  4. Repeat with the remaining mixture. You should get evenly sized meatballs for consistent cooking.
Cooking
  1. Cook the meatballs by baking, pan-frying, or simmering in sauce until fully cooked through and golden on the outside.
  2. Serve hot, with your preferred sides.

Notes

This recipe is forgiving and can accommodate substitutions. You can prepare and refrigerate the meatballs ahead of time and bake them when ready.