| Level: | Easy |
| Total: | 30 min |
| Prep: | 20 min |
| Cook: | 10 min |
| Yield: | 4 servings |
Ingredients
- 1 box frozen spinach, defrosted in the microwave
- 1 1/3 pound (1 package) ground turkey breast
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped, divided
- 3 cloves garlic, chopped
- 1 large egg
- 1 3/4 cups milk, divided
- 3/4 cup bread crumbs, 3 handfuls
- 1/2 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano, 2 palm fulls
- Coarse salt and black pepper
- Extra-virgin olive oil, for drizzling
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 cup chicken stock
- 1 (10-ounce) sack shredded provolone or blend of Italian cheeses, available on dairy aisle
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg, eyeball it
- 1/4 cup parsley leaves, chopped
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
- Wring defrosted spinach dry in a clean kitchen towel. Place turkey in a bowl and make a well in the middle of it. Add the spinach, all but 3 tablespoons of the onion, all of the garlic, 1 large egg, about 1/4 cup milk, bread crumbs, grated Parmesan, salt and pepper. Mix well. Form into 12 large balls and drizzle with extra-virgin olive oil. Arrange on a nonstick cookie sheet and roast 20 minutes, or until cooked through.
- While balls are in the oven, heat a small sauce pot over medium heat. Add a drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil and 2 tablespoons butter. Melt butter, add remaining finely chopped onion and cook 2 minutes then whisk in flour. Cook flour 1 minute, then whisk in 1 1/2 cups milk and 1 cup stock. Bring liquid up to a boil then stir in shredded provolone or blended Italian cheeses. Season the sauce with salt, pepper and nutmeg, turn heat to lowest setting.
- Place 3 balls on dinner plates and top with sauce, garnish with parsley.
Nutrition Facts
| Serving Size | 1 of 4 servings |
| Calories | 952 |
| Total Fat | 60 g |
| Saturated Fat | 27 g |
| Carbohydrates | 34 g |
| Dietary Fiber | 4 g |
| Sugar | 10 g |
| Protein | 69 g |
| Cholesterol | 257 mg |
| Sodium | 1314 mg |
Reviews
I have been making this for years. This is a delicious recipe!
This was the one and only recipe I ever made from Rachel Ray after having watched her for years even as a kid. This is one of the worst recipes I’ve ever made, and made me realize what a bad cook she is.
can I fry the meatballs first?
Had high hopes but flavor of meatballs was sort of flat. Cheese sauce was okay with definite addition of 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp pepper. Think meatball mix needs zesting up with basil, oregano, maybe some fresh lemon squeezed on top after. baking.
I, too, have been making these for many years since 1st published! They are packed with flavor, and stay unbelievably moist. I was thrilled to find this here!!
I have been making these for probably about 15 years when I saw the actual TV show originally. They’re a great, simple, inexpensive meal. I do cheat and used jarred Alfredo though. 🙂
Loved it!!! So tasty
Mine are D E L I C I O U S! I used Greek yogurt instead milk since it was in the house. I mixed ground turkey and ground chicken. Once I took the first bite I did not like the cheese sauce at all, my taste buds screamed for honey Dijon mustard. Will definitely make this again; minus the cheese sauce.
Also, instead of using the microwave to thaw the spinach, I put it in a mess strainer over night in the fridge, let it come down to room temp while I got my other ingredients together and then just squeezed the remaining liquid out.
Also, instead of using the microwave to thaw the spinach, I put it in a mess strainer over night in the fridge, let it come down to room temp while I got my other ingredients together and then just squeezed the remaining liquid out.
I used ground beef in instead and these meatballs turned out delicious! My husband had two servings. I also used sharp cheddar and gouda because that’s what I had in my fridge. I also made rotini just to please my husband.
Tastes good. A little dry and should sautée the onions first if you have kids who don’t like Onion pieces.