Healthy & Delicious: Turkey Meatballs with Hidden Greens & Creamy Feta
Calling all meatball lovers! Today, we’re taking the classic comfort food to a whole new level with these turkey meatballs with a burst of greens and feta cheese. These juicy, flavorful balls are packed with ground turkey, but what truly elevates them is the hidden gem – a mix of fresh spinach and arugula and a tangy flavor of feta cheese.
Here are 3 reasons why you should make this delicious Turkey Meatballs recipe
A Dinnertime Delight and Perfect for Families!
Benefits for the Whole Family:
- Fun and Engaging: Involve the whole family in making these meatballs! Let the little ones help shred the bread, mix the spices, or gently roll the meatballs. This creates a sense of ownership and makes them more excited to try the finished product.
- Quick and Easy: This recipe comes together in under an hour, perfect for busy weeknights. Plus, leftovers can be easily reheated for lunch or another quick dinner.
- Mealtime Flexibility: The beauty of these meatballs lies in their versatility. Serve them with pasta, nestle them in a salad, or thread them onto skewers for a fun appetizer. This allows everyone to enjoy them in their preferred way.
Winning Over Picky Eaters:
- Hidden Veggies: The sneaky addition of spinach and arugula adds a pop of color and nutrients without overpowering the taste. Many kids won’t even notice the greens hiding within the delicious meatballs.
- Flavorful Fun: The combination of savory ground turkey, creamy feta cheese, and fresh herbs creates a flavor profile that is sure to tantalize taste buds. Plus, the option to char them slightly under the broiler adds a delightful smokiness that kids often find appealing.
- Finger Food Fun: Skip the utensils! Meatballs are inherently kid-friendly finger food, making mealtime less messy and more enjoyable for little ones.
Healthy Benefits You Can’t Ignore:
- Lean Protein Power: Ground turkey is a great source of lean protein, essential for building and maintaining strong bodies.
- Green Goodness: Spinach and arugula are packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, all vital for healthy growth and development.
- Fiber Fiesta: Whole wheat bread adds a touch of fiber, aiding in digestion and keeping everyone feeling fuller for longer.
How to make this delicious turkey meatball dish.
Ingredients with a Twist:
- Ground Turkey: Lean and healthy, it forms the base of our delicious meatballs.
- Spinach and Arugula: This dynamic duo adds a delightful pop of green color, freshness, and a touch of bitterness that beautifully complements the savory meat.
- Feta Cheese: Crumbled feta adds a salty richness and creaminess that ties all the flavors together.
- Whole Wheat Bread: Shredded bread acts as a binder, keeping the meatballs moist and tender. No toasting or soaking is required for this recipe!
- Fresh Herbs: Chopped parsley brings a vibrant touch, while the dried basil and sage add a warm, earthy depth.
- Aromatic Vegetables: Onion and garlic provide a foundation of savory flavor.
Beyond the Plate: Pairing Perfection
These versatile meatballs can be enjoyed in a multitude of ways. Here are some ideas to get your creative juices flowing:
- Classic Comfort: Serve them over a bed of marinara sauce with a side of spaghetti or zoodles for a satisfying weeknight dinner.
- Mezze Magic: Thread them onto skewers and grill them for a delightful appetizer at your next gathering. Drizzle with a simple lemon-tahini sauce for an extra burst of flavor.
- Pita Power: Stuff them into warm whole wheat pitas with crumbled feta, chopped tomatoes, and a drizzle of tzatziki sauce for a flavorful and portable lunch.
- Salad Sensation: Nestle them on a bed of mixed greens with chopped vegetables, feta cheese, and a light vinaigrette for a protein-packed and refreshing salad.
Ditch the take-out menus and create lasting memories around the dinner table! These Turkey Meatballs with a Burst of Greens are the perfect recipe for a fun, family-friendly meal. With their versatility and crowd-pleasing flavor, they’re sure to become a staple in your repertoire. Fuel your family with the goodness of lean protein, hidden veggies, and healthy fats – all wrapped up in a delicious and easy-to-make package. Grab your ingredients, preheat your oven, and get ready to experience the deliciousness of healthy eating!
Source:
These Green Surprise Turkey Meatballs with Feta Cheese are a game-changer! Packed with protein and hidden veggies, they’re perfect for busy families and picky eaters alike. Easy to make and endlessly versatile, this recipe is sure to become a new favorite!
- 2 cups baby spinach and arugula mixed or 1 cup spinach and 1 cup arugula
- 1 slice whole wheat bread shredded (no toasting or soaking)
- 1 pound ground turkey
- 1 yellow onion sliced into big chunks
- 4 garlic cloves
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1 tsp ground sage
- ¼ tsp ground cloves
- ½ tsp paprika
- ½ cup feta cheese crumbled
- 1 egg large
- ½ cup chopped fresh parsley
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- ½ tsp Kosher salt
- ½ tsp Ground Black Pepper
- 1 tsp Noubess Original Hot and Spicy Sauce optional, if you want a delicious kick
Mixing with Food Processor:
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Prepare the Vegetables: In the food processor, pulse the spinach and arugula (or spinach and arugula separately) until finely chopped. You can also add the chopped onion and garlic cloves to the food processor and pulse a few times to mince them.
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Combine Ingredients: Add the ground turkey, crumbled feta, egg, parsley, all dry spices (basil, sage, cloves, paprika), shredded bread, and chopped vegetables (spinach, arugula, onion, garlic) to the food processor bowl.
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Pulse a few times until just combined. Avoid over-processing, which can make the meatballs tough.
Mixing by Hand:
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Sauté the Spinach: In a skillet heat 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil. Add the spinach and arugula (or spinach and arugula separately) and cook briefly over medium heat until just wilted. Remove from the heat and let cool briefly.
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Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl, add the ground turkey, chopped onion, minced garlic, crumbled feta, egg, parsley, all dry spices (basil, sage, cloves, paprika), shredded bread (no soaking needed!), and cooled spinach mixture.
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Use your hands to gently mix all the ingredients until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, which can make the meatballs tough.
Forming and Baking:
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Form the mixture into balls (golf ball size) and arrange them on a large lightly oiled sheet pan.
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Bake in the heated oven for about 30 minutes or until fully cooked through.
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Transfer to the top rack and turn the broiler on for just a couple of minutes or until the tops are browned (optional).
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Serve immediately with salad of your choice.
- Do not omit the paprika. That’s what gives the meatballs a golden color.
- I used Panera Oats and Grains sliced bread. You can use any multi-grain bread you prefer.
- You can substitute panko breadcrumbs for the shredded bread in this recipe. Use about ½ cup of panko crumbs.
- Wet your hands slightly to prevent the mixture from sticking while forming the meatballs.
- The NouBess Hot and Spicy Sauce gives the turkey meatballs a delicious kick.
- An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center of a meatball should reach 165°F (74°C) for safe consumption.
Calories: 1061kcalCarbohydrates: 37gProtein: 131gFat: 45gSaturated Fat: 16gPolyunsaturated Fat: 6gMonounsaturated Fat: 18gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 480mgSodium: 2485mgPotassium: 2113mgFiber: 6gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 4667IUVitamin C: 78mgCalcium: 588mgIron: 10mg
Please keep in mind that nutritional information is a rough estimate and can vary greatly based on the products used.
Nutrition info is automatically generated and provided as a courtesy and as an estimate only.
