Baked Turkey and Spinach Meatballs
In short: Soft turkey meatballs with spinach, Parmesan and garlic, baked on one tray. Freezer-friendly and good with pasta, rice or in a sandwich. It takes about 43 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 25 min
- Cook
- 18 min
- Total
- 43 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 330 kcal
Baking meatballs on a tray is the easy route: no splattering pan, no turning, and 24 meatballs come out of the oven at once. Chopped spinach adds moisture and color, Parmesan adds savor, and a little milk-soaked breadcrumb keeps the lean turkey tender. These are good plain for children, with a dipping sauce for lunchboxes, or reheated in tomato sauce for pasta night. They also freeze exceptionally well.
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 210°C (410°F). Line a large baking tray with baking paper and brush it with the oil.
- Stir the panko and milk together in a large bowl and let it soak for 5 minutes.
- Add the turkey, spinach, Parmesan, egg, garlic, oregano, salt, pepper and nutmeg. Mix gently with your hands until just combined.
- Shape the mixture into about 24 meatballs, each about 3.5 cm (1 1/2 inches) wide, using damp hands. Place them on the tray with a little space between them.
- Bake for 16 to 18 minutes, turning once halfway, until golden and 74°C (165°F) in the center.
- Rest for 3 minutes. Serve with pasta and sauce, in sandwiches or on their own with a dip.
Tips
- Squeeze the spinach as dry as you can in a clean cloth. Wet spinach makes the mixture sticky and the meatballs flat.
- Freeze cooked meatballs on a tray, then bag them for up to 3 months. Reheat from frozen at 190°C (375°F) for 12 minutes.
Questions and answers
Can I use fresh spinach?
Yes. Wilt 300 g (10 oz) of fresh spinach in a hot pan, cool it, squeeze it dry and chop it finely.
Can I make these meatballs gluten-free?
Yes. Swap the panko for gluten-free breadcrumbs, and check that any sauce you serve them with is gluten-free.
What sauce goes with turkey meatballs?
Tomato sauce, garlic yogurt, pesto or a honey mustard dip all work well.
How long does it take to make Baked Turkey and Spinach Meatballs?
About 43 min in total: 25 min of preparation and 18 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Baked Turkey and Spinach Meatballs?
About 330 kcal per serving, with 36 g of protein, 11 g of carbohydrates and 16 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 330 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 36 g |
| Carbohydrates | 11 g |
| Fat | 16 g |
| Fiber | 2 g |
| Sugar | 2 g |
| Sodium | 880 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
