Hearty Spinach Meatballs Recipe

Scrumptious Spinach Meatballs Recipe: A Tasty Family Twist

Juicy, tender meatballs packed with nutritious spinach create a delightful twist on a classic comfort food.

These savory spheres burst with flavor and pack a hidden veggie punch that even picky eaters will love.

The combination of ground meat and verdant spinach delivers a protein-rich meal that’s both wholesome and satisfying.

Every bite offers a perfect balance of herbs, spices, and leafy goodness that elevates your dinner plate.

Simple ingredients come together effortlessly to produce these crowd-pleasing morsels.

Quick to prepare and even faster to devour, these spinach meatballs will become your new go-to recipe for a hearty and delicious meal that everyone will request again and again.

Rolling, Baking, and Saucing Instructions

  • Kitchen Preparation

Set up your cooking workspace with clean surfaces and gather essential tools like mixing bowls, baking sheets, and parchment paper.

  • Flavor Foundation

Blend dry seasonings and ground chicken with creamy eggs, creating a rich base for your meatballs that promises incredible taste.

  • Green Power Boost

Fold tender spinach and crumbly feta into the mixture, adding vibrant color and robust nutrition to your protein-packed creation.

  • Shaping Magic

Craft bite-sized spheres using gentle hands, ensuring each meatball is uniformly sized for consistent cooking and beautiful presentation.

  • Oven Transformation

Slide the baking sheet into a hot oven, allowing the meatballs to develop a golden exterior while maintaining a juicy, tender center. Watch as they transform into a delectable meal that promises flavor in every single bite.

Ideas to Change Up Greens, Protein, or Sauce

  • Swap ground chicken for turkey or lean beef to match your protein preference and create different flavor profiles.
  • Enhance the veggie content by adding grated zucchini or finely chopped kale alongside spinach for extra nutrients and moisture.
  • Cook larger batches and freeze uncooked meatballs between parchment paper layers, allowing quick weeknight meal preparation within 20 minutes of baking.
  • Serve these meatballs with tzatziki, marinara, or a light Greek yogurt sauce to complement their Mediterranean-inspired ingredients and elevate the overall taste experience.

Serving Meatballs with Grains, Breads, or Dips

  • Pasta Paradise: Serve these juicy spinach meatballs over a bed of whole wheat spaghetti or zucchini noodles for a hearty and nutritious meal that satisfies comfort food cravings.
  • Mediterranean Mezze Platter: Arrange meatballs alongside hummus, tzatziki, olives, and warm pita bread for a vibrant and shareable appetizer that celebrates Greek-inspired flavors.
  • Salad Sensation: Top a crisp mixed green salad with these protein-packed meatballs, crumbled feta, and a light lemon vinaigrette for a low-carb, high-flavor lunch option that feels indulgent yet healthy.
  • Meal Prep Marvel: Cool the meatballs completely and store in meal prep containers with quinoa and roasted vegetables for easy grab-and-go lunches throughout the week, ensuring a delicious and balanced meal every time.

How to Freeze and Reheat Without Drying

  • Refrigerator Smart Storage: Keep leftover meatballs in an airtight container for up to 4 days, ensuring they stay fresh and maintain their delicious flavor profile.
  • Freezer Meal Prep Magic: Individually wrap uncooked or cooked meatballs in plastic wrap, then store in freezer bags for convenient future meals lasting 2-3 months.
  • Reheating Perfection: Warm refrigerated meatballs in a skillet with a splash of chicken broth to prevent drying, or microwave on medium power for 30-45 seconds until heated through.
  • Lunch Box Champion: Pack cold meatballs in compartmentalized containers with crisp salad greens or roasted vegetables for a protein-packed midday meal that travels easily and stays appetizing.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Calories: 182 kcal

Servings: 13

Spinach Meatball Mix: What Goes In

For Base and Binding:
  • Almond Meal: Provides gluten-free foundation with nutty undertones, choose fresh and finely ground for smooth texture.
  • Eggs: Acts as crucial binder that holds ingredients together, select fresh organic eggs for best results.
For Flavor Enhancers:
  • Oregano, Salt, Pepper: Classic seasoning blend that brings Mediterranean zest and balanced seasoning.
  • Parsley, Onion, Garlic: Aromatic trio that adds depth and bright herbal notes, select fresh herbs for maximum flavor punch.
  • Feta Cheese: Introduces tangy, creamy element that elevates overall taste profile, opt for high-quality crumbled cheese.
For Protein and Bulk:
  • Ground Chicken: Lean protein base that creates tender meatballs, choose fresh ground chicken with moderate fat content for juiciness.
  • Spinach: Adds nutritional boost and vibrant green color, use fresh or well-drained frozen spinach to prevent excess moisture.

Meatball-Making Tools for a Cleaner Prep

  • Large mixing bowl: Essential for combining all ingredients thoroughly.
  • 1½-inch cookie scoop: Perfect for creating uniform meatball sizes.
  • Baking sheets: Provides even cooking surface for meatballs.
  • Parchment paper: Prevents sticking and makes cleanup easy.
  • Measuring spoons: Helps accurately measure herbs and seasonings.
  • Cutting board: Great for chopping fresh parsley and preparing ingredients.
  • Sharp knife: Useful for finely chopping herbs and garlic.
Print
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Hearty Spinach Meatballs Recipe

Hearty Spinach Meatballs Recipe


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4.8 from 38 reviews

  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 13 1x

Description

Juicy spinach meatballs showcase Mediterranean flavors with herbs and ground meat. Savory herbs and tender spinach blend perfectly, creating a delightful dish you’ll crave again and again.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 lbs (907 g) ground chicken (93% lean | 7% fat)
  • 8 oz (226 g) feta cheese, finely crumbled
  • 20 oz (567 g) frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
  • 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
  • ½ cup (120 ml) chopped parsley
  • 8 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 large eggs
  • ½ cup (60 g) almond meal or almond flour (use breadcrumbs for non-low-carb version)
  • 2 tsps oregano
  • 1.5 tsps salt
  • 1.5 tsps pepper

Instructions

  1. Preparation: Gather all ingredients and equipment, ensuring a clean, organized workspace for efficient meatball creation.
  2. Seasoning Blend: Combine almond meal with oregano, salt, and black pepper, creating a robust flavor foundation for the meatballs.
  3. Binding Process: Whisk eggs and integrate thoroughly with the seasoned almond meal, forming a cohesive base mixture that will hold the meatballs together.
  4. Flavor Infusion: Fold in spinach, feta cheese, parsley, onion, and garlic, distributing ingredients evenly throughout the mixture to ensure balanced flavor in every bite.
  5. Protein Integration: Gently incorporate ground chicken, mixing with a light hand to maintain a tender, delicate meatball texture and prevent compacting.
  6. Shaping and Positioning: Use a portioning scoop to form consistent meatballs, arranging them on a parchment-lined baking sheet with slight spacing to promote even cooking.
  7. Roasting: Position baking sheets in a preheated 400°F oven, roasting for 15-20 minutes until meatballs achieve a golden-brown exterior and reach a safe internal temperature of 165°F.
  8. Resting Phase: Allow meatballs to rest briefly after removing from oven, enabling residual heat to complete cooking and redistribute internal moisture for optimal juiciness.

Notes

  • Prep Like a Pro: Gather all ingredients and tools beforehand to streamline cooking and prevent last-minute scrambling.
  • Season Smartly: Mix almond meal with herbs and spices thoroughly to ensure every meatball bursts with consistent, delicious flavor.
  • Fold Gently: Use light, careful mixing techniques when combining ingredients to maintain a tender, soft meatball texture that doesn’t become tough or dense.
  • Temperature Check: Use a meat thermometer to confirm chicken reaches safe internal temperature of 165°F, guaranteeing perfectly cooked, juicy meatballs every time.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 13
  • Calories: 182
  • Sugar: 1 g
  • Sodium: 154 mg
  • Fat: 10 g
  • Saturated Fat: 3 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 6 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 19 g
  • Cholesterol: 70 mg
Mia Reynolds

Mia Reynolds

Food Writer & Home Cooking Specialist

Expertise

Easy Home Baking, Recipe Writing and Storytelling, Local and Seasonal Ingredients, Baking for Beginners

Education

New England Culinary Institute (NECI), Montpelier, Vermont

  • Certificate: Baking and Pastry Arts Certificate
  • Focus: Hands-on baking skills, pastry basics, and creating delicious, approachable baked goods.

Community College of Vermont, Winooski, Vermont

  • Degree: Certificate in Food and Beverage Management
  • Focus: Essential knowledge of recipe development, ingredient sourcing, and food business basics.

Mia Reynolds fell in love with baking as a teenager experimenting in her family kitchen. Her passion took her to New England Culinary Institute, where she learned practical pastry techniques, and later to Community College of Vermont to deepen her understanding of food management.

Mia combines clear, simple baking instructions with heartwarming stories, making home baking approachable for everyone.

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