Healthy Spinach Meatballs with Spicy Sriracha Marinara
Elevate your weeknight dinner game with these healthy spinach meatballs paired with a bold and spicy Sriracha marinara sauce. Made with lean ground turkey, fresh spinach, and a touch of Parmesan, these baked meatballs are a nutritious twist on a classic comfort food favorite. Infused with aromatic garlic, dried herbs, and a hint of heat, this dish is both wholesome and full of flavor. The robust Sriracha marinara, simmered to perfection with tangy tomato sauce and a fiery kick of chili flakes, adds the perfect zesty complement to the tender, golden meatballs. Serve this protein-packed meal over zucchini noodles, spaghetti squash, or whole-grain pasta for a satisfying yet guilt-free entrée that’s ideal for meal prep or a healthy family dinner.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground turkey
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- 0.5 cup breadcrumbs
- 0.25 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 unit large egg
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 cups tomato sauce (unsalted)
- 2 tablespoons Sriracha sauce
- 0.5 cup onion, finely chopped
- 0.5 teaspoon dried red chili flakes (optional)
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Lightly steam the spinach in the microwave or on the stovetop until wilted (about 2-3 minutes). Let it cool, then squeeze out excess moisture and chop finely.
In a large bowl, combine the ground turkey, chopped spinach, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, egg, minced garlic, oregano, basil, salt, and black pepper.
Using clean hands, mix the ingredients until well combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the meatballs dense.
Form the mixture into 1-inch meatballs and place them on the prepared baking sheet. You should have about 20 meatballs.
Bake the meatballs in the preheated oven for 18-20 minutes, or until they are cooked through and lightly golden on the outside.
While the meatballs bake, heat olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté until softened, about 3-4 minutes.
Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute, being careful not to burn it.
Pour the tomato sauce into the saucepan and stir in the Sriracha sauce, chili flakes (if using), oregano, and salt to taste. Simmer the marinara sauce over low heat for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Once the meatballs are done baking, add them to the saucepan with the marinara and gently toss to coat them in the sauce.
Garnish with fresh parsley and serve the spinach meatballs with the spicy Sriracha marinara over zucchini noodles, spaghetti squash, or whole-grain pasta for a complete meal.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
1372 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 61.3 g | 79% | |
| Saturated Fat | 18.5 g | 92% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1.3 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 528 mg | 176% | |
| Sodium | 2301 mg | 100% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 94.6 g | 34% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 13.1 g | 47% | |
| Total Sugars | 37.4 g | ||
| Protein | 117.3 g | 235% | |
| Vitamin D | 1.0 mcg | 5% | |
| Calcium | 468 mg | 36% | |
| Iron | 14.4 mg | 80% | |
| Potassium | 1742 mg | 37% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
