There is something truly comforting and special about this Creamy Spinach Turkey Meatballs Recipe that makes it an instant favorite for cozy dinners. Tender turkey meatballs packed with fresh spinach, aromatic garlic, and Parmesan come together in a luscious, velvety sauce that’s bursting with flavor and warmth. Whether you are looking for a healthy twist on a classic or a stunning weeknight meal to impress your family, this recipe is the one to turn to again and again.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients are surprisingly straightforward yet absolutely essential to achieving the perfect balance of flavor, texture, and color in your meatballs and sauce. Each component plays a unique role, creating a dish that’s creamy, vibrant, and utterly delicious.
- Ground turkey: Lean and tender, it forms the base of your meatballs for a lighter alternative to beef or pork.
- Fresh spinach (finely chopped): Adds a pop of green and a subtle earthiness while keeping the meatballs moist.
- Egg: Binds the mixture together so your meatballs hold their shape beautifully.
- Breadcrumbs: Provide structure and a slight chew that balances the softness of the turkey.
- Grated Parmesan cheese: Brings a salty, nutty depth to both the meatballs and the sauce.
- Garlic (minced): Infuses each bite with aromatic warmth and a touch of zest.
- Onion powder: Adds subtle sweetness and complexity without overpowering.
- Salt and black pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance every other ingredient’s natural flavors.
- Olive oil: For browning the meatballs perfectly with a golden crust.
- Chicken broth: Forms the savory base of the rich sauce, keeping it light yet flavorful.
- Heavy cream: Makes the sauce irresistibly creamy and silky smooth.
- Dijon mustard: Introduces a subtle tang and complexity to the sauce.
- Dried thyme: Offers a hint of herbal fragrance that complements the turkey superbly.
- Additional grated Parmesan: For stirring into the sauce, enhancing cheesiness and body.
- Chopped parsley (optional): Adds a fresh, bright garnish that lifts the finished dish.
How to Make Creamy Spinach Turkey Meatballs Recipe
Step 1: Combine Meatball Ingredients
Start by placing the ground turkey, finely chopped spinach, egg, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, minced garlic, onion powder, salt, and black pepper into a large bowl. Use your hands or a spoon to gently mix until everything is just incorporated — careful not to overwork the meat, as that can make the meatballs tough. This step is where all the flavors begin to meld and your meatballs take shape.
Step 2: Form and Brown the Meatballs
Shape the mixture into meatballs about 1½ inches in diameter for perfect bite-sized portions. Heat olive oil over medium heat in a roomy skillet, then add the meatballs. Cook them, turning occasionally, until they develop a beautiful golden-brown crust on all sides, about 6 to 8 minutes. This browning step not only adds flavor through caramelization but also seals in their juiciness.
Step 3: Make the Creamy Sauce
With the meatballs removed temporarily, pour the chicken broth, heavy cream, Dijon mustard, dried thyme, and grated Parmesan into the skillet. Stir everything together and bring to a gentle simmer. This luscious sauce will become the heart of the dish, perfectly complementing the turkey meatballs with its rich and tangy notes.
Step 4: Simmer Meatballs in Sauce
Return the browned meatballs to the skillet, nestling them into the creamy sauce. Cover the pan and let everything simmer for 10 to 12 minutes. This allows the meatballs to cook through completely while the sauce thickens and deepens in flavor. The result is a harmonious blend with tender meatballs soaking up every drop of the delicious sauce.
How to Serve Creamy Spinach Turkey Meatballs Recipe
Garnishes
A sprinkle of chopped fresh parsley on top adds not only a dash of vibrant color but also a refreshing herbal note that cuts through the richness. For an extra touch of indulgence, you can grate additional Parmesan cheese right before serving.
Side Dishes
This dish pairs wonderfully with comforting sides like creamy mashed potatoes, buttery rice, or your favorite pasta for soaking up the sauce. For a lighter option, try serving it with sautéed zucchini noodles or roasted vegetables to add extra texture and nutrients to your meal.
Creative Ways to Present
For an elegant twist, serve the Creamy Spinach Turkey Meatballs over polenta or creamy cauliflower mash. You can also skewer smaller meatballs and serve them as a fancy appetizer. The versatility makes this recipe shine in both casual weeknight dinners and special occasions.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. The creamy sauce helps keep the meat moist, so the texture holds up nicely even as leftovers.
Freezing
You can freeze the meatballs either before cooking or after cooling them down from the fully prepared dish. Place them on a baking sheet to freeze individually first, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container for up to three months. This makes it easy to enjoy this Creamy Spinach Turkey Meatballs Recipe anytime you want.
Reheating
Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat, covered, so the meatballs warm through without drying out. Alternatively, microwave in short bursts, stirring the sauce occasionally to maintain that creamy texture. Adding a splash of chicken broth or cream while reheating can help revive the sauce’s lusciousness.
FAQs
Can I use frozen spinach instead of fresh?
Absolutely! Just be sure to thaw and squeeze out as much excess moisture as possible before mixing it into the meatball mixture to avoid sogginess.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
It can be easily made gluten-free by using gluten-free breadcrumbs. All other ingredients are naturally gluten-free, making this dish suitable for many diets.
Can I substitute ground chicken or beef for turkey?
Yes, ground chicken works similarly, though beef will result in a richer, heavier dish. Cooking times and moisture levels may vary slightly.
How do I make the sauce thicker?
Allowing the sauce to simmer uncovered for a few extra minutes will reduce and thicken it naturally. Alternatively, you can stir in a small slurry of cornstarch and water.
Can I make these meatballs ahead of time?
Definitely! You can prepare the meatballs and either freeze them raw or cook them ahead and refrigerate. When ready, simply reheat in the sauce to serve.
Final Thoughts
This Creamy Spinach Turkey Meatballs Recipe truly feels like a warm hug on a plate. It’s easy to make, packed with wholesome ingredients, and bursting with flavor that pleases every palate. I promise once you try it, it will become a go-to recipe in your rotation, bringing plenty of smiles around the dinner table.
Print
Creamy Spinach Turkey Meatballs Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
These Creamy Spinach Turkey Meatballs are a flavorful and healthy main course featuring tender turkey meatballs infused with fresh spinach and Parmesan cheese, simmered in a rich, creamy sauce made with chicken broth, heavy cream, and Dijon mustard. Perfect for a comforting skillet dinner, this recipe is easy to prepare and can be served over rice, mashed potatoes, pasta, or zucchini noodles.
Ingredients
Meatballs
- 1 pound ground turkey
- 1 cup fresh spinach, finely chopped
- 1 egg
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Sauce
- 1 cup chicken broth
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Chopped parsley, optional for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the meatball mixture: In a large bowl, combine the ground turkey, finely chopped spinach, egg, breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, minced garlic, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix gently until just combined to avoid tough meatballs.
- Form and brown the meatballs: Shape the mixture into 1½-inch meatballs. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat, then add the meatballs. Cook them, turning occasionally, until browned on all sides, about 6 to 8 minutes.
- Make the creamy sauce: Remove the browned meatballs from the skillet and set aside. In the same skillet, add the chicken broth, heavy cream, Dijon mustard, dried thyme, and grated Parmesan cheese. Stir well and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
- Simmer meatballs in sauce: Return the meatballs back to the skillet with the sauce. Cover and let them simmer gently for 10 to 12 minutes until the meatballs are fully cooked through and the sauce has thickened nicely.
- Garnish and serve: Optional, sprinkle chopped parsley on top for freshness. Serve the creamy spinach turkey meatballs warm over your choice of rice, mashed potatoes, pasta, or zucchini noodles.
Notes
- For a gluten-free version, substitute regular breadcrumbs with gluten-free breadcrumbs.
- Meatballs can be prepared ahead of time and frozen before cooking. Thaw before simmering in the sauce.
- Serve with your favorite side such as rice, mashed potatoes, pasta, or zucchini noodles for a complete meal.
