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4.8 from 135 votes

Italian Beef and Spinach Meatballs

These amazing Italian Beef and Spinach Meatballs would make my husband's Italian family proud! I snuck some spinach in the meatball mix, but I promise even the pickiest of eaters will love them!

Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Total Time
40 mins
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 259 kcal
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Italian

Ingredients

  • 2 lices whole wheat light bread ((or gluten-free bread))
  • 1 tsp olive oil
  • 1 lb 93% lean ground beef
  • 3 cloves smashed garlic
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 28 oz can Tuttorosso crushed tomatoes (my favorite)
  • 10 oz frozen chopped spinach (thawed and squeezed of all liquid)
  • 1/2 onion (don't chop)
  • 1 large egg
  • salt and pepper
  • 1 clove garlic (minced)
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley
  • 1/2 cup Pecorino Romano cheese (or your favorite Parmesan Cheese)
  • salt and pepper

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Wet bread with just enough water (or milk) to wet and then mash up with your hands.
  2. Add to large bowl and combine with chopped beef, chopped spinach, egg, garlic, parsley, grated cheese, salt and pepper. Mix all ingredients well until thoroughly combined.
  3. Using a 1/4 cup measuring cup, measure meat and then divide in two so that each meatball is 1/8th of a cup. Roll into little meatballs.
  4. Make the sauceL In a large pot, add 1 teaspoon olive oil and heat on medium heat.
  5. When hot add smashed garlic.
  6. When garlic is golden brown, about 1 to 2 minutes add the tomatoes, onion, salt and pepper and cover, reduce heat to low.
  7. Meanwhile, in a large nonstick skillet, add 1 tbsp olive oil on low heat.
  8. When oil is hot add as many meatballs that will fit, cook on low, turning often so that all side get browned. Cook until the centers are cooked through.
  9. When finished, place on a dish lined with paper towels to blot any excess oil. Drop meatballs into sauce and continue cooking the remaining meatballs, repeating the process. When all meatballs are in the sauce, simmer for an additional 15 minutes. Discard onion and serve.

Nutrition Information

Serving 5meatballs w/ 4.5 oz sauce Calories 259kcal (13%) Carbohydrates 15g (5%) Protein 20.5g (41%) Fat 10.5g (16%) Saturated Fat 4g (20%) Cholesterol 81mg (27%) Sodium 512.5mg (21%) Fiber 2g (8%) Sugar 5.5g (11%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 6servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 259

% Daily Value*

Serving 5meatballs w/ 4.5 oz sauce
Calories 259kcal 13%
Carbohydrates 15g 5%
Protein 20.5g 41%
Fat 10.5g 16%
Saturated Fat 4g 20%
Cholesterol 81mg 27%
Sodium 512.5mg 21%
Fiber 2g 8%
Sugar 5.5g 11%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.