Creamy Spinach Turkey Meatballs – Healthy, Comforting & Family-Friendly

🎉 Introduction

These Creamy Spinach Turkey Meatballs are the perfect blend of comfort and smart eating. Juicy turkey meatballs are pan-seared until golden, then gently simmered in a rich, creamy garlic sauce with tender spinach. The result is a dish that feels indulgent and cozy, yet lighter than traditional meatball recipes.

Made with lean turkey and a creamy sauce that’s smooth without being heavy, this recipe is ideal for healthy weeknight dinners, meal prep, or a comforting family meal. If you love creamy skillet recipes, turkey meatballs, and easy one-pan dinners, this dish will quickly earn a spot in your regular rotation.

🧰 Equipment Needed

• Large skillet or sauté pan
• Mixing bowl
• Knife and cutting board
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Spatula or tongs

Tip: A wide skillet allows the meatballs to brown evenly and the sauce to reduce properly.

🛒 Ingredients

For the Turkey Meatballs

• 1 lb ground turkey
• ¼ cup all-purpose flour
• 1 egg
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• ½ teaspoon paprika
• 1 tablespoon olive oil (for cooking)

For the Creamy Spinach Sauce

• 2 tablespoons butter
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 cup half-and-half
• ½ cup chicken broth
• 2 cups fresh spinach
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper

Ingredient Notes:

• Ground turkey keeps the meatballs lean and tender.
• Spinach adds freshness and nutrients.
• Half-and-half creates a creamy sauce without being overly heavy.

👩‍🍳 Directions

Step 1: Make the Meatballs

• In a large bowl, combine:
  • Ground turkey
  • Flour
  • Egg
  • Minced garlic
  • Salt, black pepper, and paprika
• Mix gently until just combined.
• Form into medium-sized meatballs.

Step 2: Brown the Meatballs

• Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
• Add meatballs in a single layer.
• Cook for 6–8 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden on all sides.
• Remove meatballs from skillet and set aside.

Step 3: Start the Creamy Sauce

• In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium.
• Add butter and let it melt.
• Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.

Step 4: Build the Sauce

• Pour in chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits.
• Stir in half-and-half.
• Simmer gently for 3–4 minutes, until slightly thickened.

Step 5: Add Spinach

• Add fresh spinach to the skillet.
• Stir until wilted, about 1–2 minutes.

Step 6: Return Meatballs

• Place meatballs back into the skillet.
• Spoon sauce over them.
• Simmer for 5–7 minutes, until meatballs are fully cooked and sauce is creamy.

Step 7: Final Taste

• Taste and adjust salt and black pepper if needed.
• Remove from heat and let rest for 2 minutes before serving.

🍽️ Servings & Timing

• Servings: 4
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Total Time: About 40 minutes

A comforting, protein-rich meal ready in under an hour.

🧊 Storage & Reheating

Storage

• Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days

Reheating

• Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat
• Add a splash of broth or milk if sauce thickens

Tip: Avoid high heat to keep the sauce smooth.

🥄 Variations

• Extra Creamy
  • Add a spoon of cream cheese to the sauce
• Low-Carb Option
  • Skip flour and serve with vegetables
• Cheesy Twist
  • Stir in grated Parmesan at the end
• Herb Boost
  • Add fresh parsley or basil
• Spicy Touch
  • Add a pinch of chili flakes

❓ 10 FAQs

1. Are turkey meatballs tender?
   Yes, when mixed gently they stay juicy.
2. Can I bake the meatballs instead?
   Yes, bake at 200°C (400°F) for 18–20 minutes.
3. Is this recipe kid-friendly?
   Yes, mild and creamy.
4. Can I make it ahead of time?
   Yes, reheats well.
5. Is this dish gluten-free?
   Not as written; use gluten-free flour.
6. Can I freeze it?
   Not recommended due to cream sauce.
7. Does spinach overpower the sauce?
   No, it blends in gently.
8. Can I use milk instead of half-and-half?
   Yes, sauce will be lighter.
9. What can I serve this with?
   Rice, vegetables, or low-carb sides.
10. Can I double the recipe?
    Yes, use a larger skillet.

🏁 Conclusion

These creamy spinach turkey meatballs prove that comfort food can be both satisfying and balanced. With juicy meatballs, a smooth garlic cream sauce, and fresh spinach, this dish delivers big flavor without feeling heavy.

Perfect for weeknights, meal prep, or a cozy family dinner, this recipe is simple, nourishing, and guaranteed to please. Once you make it, it’s sure to become a repeat favorite.

Adam

Creamy Spinach Turkey Meatballs – Healthy, Comforting & Family-Friendly

These Creamy Spinach Turkey Meatballs are the perfect blend of comfort and smart eating. Juicy turkey meatballs are pan-seared until golden, then gently simmered in a rich, creamy garlic sauce with tender spinach. The result is a dish that feels indulgent and cozy, yet lighter than traditional meatball recipes. Made with lean turkey and a creamy sauce that’s smooth without being heavy, this recipe is ideal for healthy weeknight dinners, meal prep, or a comforting family meal. If you love creamy skillet recipes, turkey meatballs, and easy one-pan dinners, this dish will quickly earn a spot in your regular rotation.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Total Time 40 minutes mins

Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

For the Turkey Meatballs

• 1 lb ground turkey
• ¼ cup all-purpose flour
• 1 egg
• 2 garlic cloves minced
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• ½ teaspoon paprika
• 1 tablespoon olive oil for cooking

For the Creamy Spinach Sauce

• 2 tablespoons butter
• 3 garlic cloves minced
• 1 cup half-and-half
• ½ cup chicken broth
• 2 cups fresh spinach
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper

Ingredient Notes:

• Ground turkey keeps the meatballs lean and tender.
• Spinach adds freshness and nutrients.
• Half-and-half creates a creamy sauce without being overly heavy.

Equipment

• Large skillet or sauté pan
• Mixing bowl
• Knife and cutting board
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Spatula or tongs
• Tip: A wide skillet allows the meatballs to brown evenly and the sauce to reduce properly.

Method

 

Step 1: Make the Meatballs

1. In a large bowl, combine:
2. Ground turkey
3. Flour
4. Egg
5. Minced garlic
6. Salt, black pepper, and paprika
7. Mix gently until just combined.
8. Form into medium-sized meatballs.

Step 2: Brown the Meatballs

1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
2. Add meatballs in a single layer.
3. Cook for 6–8 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden on all sides.
4. Remove meatballs from skillet and set aside.

Step 3: Start the Creamy Sauce

1. In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium.
2. Add butter and let it melt.
3. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.

Step 4: Build the Sauce

1. Pour in chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits.
2. Stir in half-and-half.
3. Simmer gently for 3–4 minutes, until slightly thickened.

Step 5: Add Spinach

1. Add fresh spinach to the skillet.
2. Stir until wilted, about 1–2 minutes.

Step 6: Return Meatballs

1. Place meatballs back into the skillet.
2. Spoon sauce over them.
3. Simmer for 5–7 minutes, until meatballs are fully cooked and sauce is creamy.

Step 7: Final Taste

1. Taste and adjust salt and black pepper if needed.
2. Remove from heat and let rest for 2 minutes before serving.

Notes

🧊 Storage & Reheating

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days

Reheating

Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat

Add a splash of broth or milk if sauce thickens

Tip: Avoid high heat to keep the sauce smooth.

🥄 Variations

Extra Creamy

Add a spoon of cream cheese to the sauce

Low-Carb Option

Skip flour and serve with vegetables

Cheesy Twist

Stir in grated Parmesan at the end

Herb Boost

Add fresh parsley or basil

Spicy Touch

Add a pinch of chili flakes

❓ 10 FAQs

Are turkey meatballs tender?
Yes, when mixed gently they stay juicy.

Can I bake the meatballs instead?
Yes, bake at 200°C (400°F) for 18–20 minutes.

Is this recipe kid-friendly?
Yes, mild and creamy.

Can I make it ahead of time?
Yes, reheats well.

Is this dish gluten-free?
Not as written; use gluten-free flour.

Can I freeze it?
Not recommended due to cream sauce.

Does spinach overpower the sauce?
No, it blends in gently.

Can I use milk instead of half-and-half?
Yes, sauce will be lighter.

What can I serve this with?
Rice, vegetables, or low-carb sides.

Can I double the recipe?
Yes, use a larger skillet.

🏁 Conclusion

These creamy spinach turkey meatballs prove that comfort food can be both satisfying and balanced. With juicy meatballs, a smooth garlic cream sauce, and fresh spinach, this dish delivers big flavor without feeling heavy.

Perfect for weeknights, meal prep, or a cozy family dinner, this recipe is simple, nourishing, and guaranteed to please. Once you make it, it’s sure to become a repeat favorite.