0 from 3 votes
Eggplant Spinach Meatballs
Vegetarian meatballs made with roasted eggplant, walnuts, ricotta and spinach. Perfect for game day or dinner!
Prep Time
25 mins
Cook Time
25 mins
Total Time
1 hr 10 mins
Servings: 24 meatballs
Calories: 1375 kcal
Course:
Main Course
Cuisine:
American
Ingredients
- 1 ¼ pounds eggplant about 1 medium, cut into ¾-inch chunks
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- ½ cup raw walnut halves
- ¾ cup Panko bread crumbs
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 3 tablespoons minced shallot
- ½ teaspoon dried parsley
- ¼ teaspoon dried oregano
- ¼ teaspoon dried basil
- ½ cup ricotta cheese
- 1 10-ounce package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
- 1 large egg lightly beaten
- marinara sauce for serving
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400ºF.
- Add the eggplant to a large rimmed baking sheet, then drizzle with the olive oil and sprinkle with the salt, red pepper and garlic. Toss to combine, then spread in an even layer. Bake for about 15 to 20 minutes, stirring once halfway through, until tender. Remove from the oven and set aside to cool slightly.
- Decrease the oven temperature to 350ºF.
- Meanwhile, add the walnuts to the bowl of a food processor and process until finely ground--but don’t go so far that it turns into a paste--then add them to a large bowl. Fold in the breadcrumbs, flour, shallot, parsley, oregano, basil, ricotta and spinach; set aside.
- Add the roasted eggplant to the bowl of the food processor. Pulse until the eggplant is chopped well, but there is still some texture. You don’t want to completely puree the mixture.
- Transfer the eggplant to the large bowl and mix until well-combined. Add additional salt and red pepper to taste, then stir in the egg. Form the mixture into balls about 1 ½ inches in diameter. Place the meatballs on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Bake the meatballs for about 25 to 30 minutes, until firm and lightly browned. Serve with marinara sauce.
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Nutrition Information
Calories
1375kcal
(69%)
Carbohydrates
109g
(36%)
Protein
44g
(88%)
Fat
90g
(138%)
Saturated Fat
20g
(100%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
33g
Monounsaturated Fat
32g
Trans Fat
1g
Cholesterol
226mg
(75%)
Sodium
1686mg
(70%)
Potassium
2022mg
(58%)
Fiber
25g
(100%)
Sugar
27g
(54%)
Vitamin A
1182IU
(24%)
Vitamin C
18mg
(20%)
Calcium
514mg
(51%)
Iron
9mg
(50%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 24meatballs
Amount Per Serving
Calories 1375
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 1375kcal | 69% |
| Carbohydrates | 109g | 36% |
| Protein | 44g | 88% |
| Fat | 90g | 138% |
| Saturated Fat | 20g | 100% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 33g | 194% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 32g | 160% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 226mg | 75% |
| Sodium | 1686mg | 70% |
| Potassium | 2022mg | 43% |
| Fiber | 25g | 100% |
| Sugar | 27g | 54% |
| Vitamin A | 1182IU | 24% |
| Vitamin C | 18mg | 20% |
| Calcium | 514mg | 51% |
| Iron | 9mg | 50% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.