Description
These Spinach Feta Baked Turkey Meatballs are a healthy and flavorful twist on classic meatballs, combining lean ground turkey with nutrient-rich spinach and tangy feta cheese. Baked in marinara sauce, these meatballs are juicy, tender, and perfect for a comforting meal that’s easy to prepare and packed with Mediterranean-inspired flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Sauce
- 1 jar (32 ounces) marinara sauce (homemade or store-bought)
Meatballs
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 5 ounces baby spinach
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 1/2 lbs lean ground turkey
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs (regular or gluten free)
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Garnish
- Freshly chopped parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the meatballs.
- Prepare the marinara base: Pour the marinara sauce into a large skillet or baking dish and set it aside to create a flavorful cooking base for the meatballs.
- Cook and chop the spinach: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the baby spinach and cook until wilted, about 2-3 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds until fragrant. Remove from heat and coarsely chop the spinach mixture on a cutting board.
- Mix the meatball ingredients: In a medium bowl, combine the ground turkey, chopped spinach mixture, egg, breadcrumbs, crumbled feta cheese, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper. Gently mix with your hands to incorporate all ingredients evenly without overmixing, which can make the meatballs tough.
- Form the meatballs: Shape the turkey mixture into meatballs using about 2 tablespoons of mixture for each ball. Place the formed meatballs evenly into the skillet or baking dish over the marinara sauce.
- Bake the meatballs: Bake the meatballs in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes. Check for doneness after 15 minutes by ensuring a meat thermometer inserted in the center reads 165°F (74°C).
- Serve and garnish: Once cooked through, remove the skillet from the oven. Garnish the meatballs with freshly chopped parsley if desired, and serve warm with additional marinara sauce.
Notes
- Use lean ground turkey for a healthier, lower-fat option.
- Regular or gluten-free breadcrumbs work equally well.
- Be careful not to overmix the meatball mixture to keep them tender.
- Check meatballs early to avoid overbaking and drying out.
- Fresh parsley adds a nice pop of color and freshness but is optional.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Keywords: spinach feta meatballs, baked turkey meatballs, healthy meatballs, Mediterranean recipes, low fat dinner, baked meatballs with marinara
