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Dani Spies is a Health & Food Coach and Fitness Trainer who enjoys finding simple and d'lishes ways to incorporate nutritious ingredients into an everyday kitchen.More »

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Spinach and Turkey Meatballs - Video

Sometimes nothing hits the spot like a big bowl of good old fashion Spaghetti and Meatballs! For this QuickBite I take an old time favorite and add a twist.

Instead of ground beef I use ground turkey, which makes these a little bit lighter and perfect for the warmer weather that's starting to roll in.

I also like to add some frozen spinach right into the mixture this way, even if you don't have time to make a veggie, you're still getting in your greens... not to mention it's a great way to sneak in some greens for those non veggie lovers in the family!

Spinach and Turkey Meatballs - Video

Ingredients

1 lb of ground turkey (1/2 extra lean and 1/2 dark)
6 cloves of minced garlic
1 minced onion
1/3 of cup of oat bran
2 egg whites
3 tsp. of worcestershire sauce
1/3 a cup of Romano cheese
1 tsp. of nutmeg
8 oz. of frozen spinach. drained really well
3 cups of marinara sauce
1 lb of wheat spaghetti
2 tsp of extra virgin olive oil
salt and pepper to taste

Directions

Prepare spaghetti according to package.

In a large bowl, combine ground turkey, garlic, onion, oat bran, egg whites, Romano cheese, nutmeg, worcestershire, spinach, salt and pepper.

Grab a couple of tablespoons of meat mixture and form into balls (about the size of a golf ball).

Preheat large saute pan over medium high.  Heat a couple of teaspoons of extra virgin olive oil, then add your meat balls.  Be sure not to crowd the pan.

Brown for three to four minutes on each side and then pour in tomato sauce.  Once the sauce boils turn the heat to low, cover and simmer for ten minutes or so.

Serve over whole wheat spaghetti.  Top with a little extra sauce and some extra cheese.... enjoy!! 

Serves 4.

Nutritional Analysis

Three Meatballs w/ One Cup of Spaghetti:
Calories: 492; Total Fat: 11.4g; Saturated Fat: 3.6g; Cholesterol: 82mg; Sodium: 314mg; Carbohydrate: 60.4g; Dietary Fiber: 12.1g; Sugars: 9.2g; Protein: 42.5g

Other recipes you may enjoy:
20-Minute Tomato Sauce (video)
Baked Chicken Parmigiana (video)
Mini Turkey Meatloaf (video)
20-Minute Turkey Chili (video)
Extra-Lean Turkey Meatballs

 

Comments

Nicole :

Hi Dani,

I've really been enjoying your videos and recipes! Keep up the great work :-)

posted on April 8, 2007 10:43 AM

Aussie Chick :

Hi Dani,
Love the new site! I made this recipe using lean minced chicken breast (turkey is available in Australia, but not as much as chicken) and halved the cheese to lower that fat content. It was a huge hit! Thanks again so much for a great site. I love your recipes and watching your videos. Keep up the great work!

posted on April 16, 2007 12:21 AM

Kristin Egusa :

I'm going to try to make this tonight! wish me luck haha...it sounds so yummy! See you soon girl!

posted on February 8, 2008 2:33 PM

Dani :

Kristin - You don't need any luck...you'll be just fine:)!! Hope you love them!

posted on February 8, 2008 5:05 PM

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