Description
Creamy Spinach Meatball Pasta is a delicious and comforting one-skillet dish featuring savory meatballs, fresh spinach, and a velvety cream sauce, all tossed with pasta. This easy recipe is packed with flavor and can be made in just 40 minutes, making it a perfect choice for busy weeknights or family gatherings. The combination of tender meatballs, creamy sauce, and hearty spinach is sure to satisfy everyone at the table.
Ingredients
For the Meatballs:
1 lb lean ground beef (or turkey for a leaner option)
½ cup breadcrumbs
⅓ cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 cloves garlic (minced)
1 tsp Italian seasoning
Salt and pepper to taste
For the Creamy Spinach Sauce:
2 tbsp olive oil
1 small onion (finely chopped)
3 cups baby spinach
1 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half for a lighter version)
1 cup chicken or vegetable broth
½ cup grated Parmesan (for sauce)
12 oz pasta (penne, rigatoni, or fusilli)
Fresh parsley or basil for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Make the Meatballs:
- In a large bowl, combine ground meat, breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix until well combined.
- Form the mixture into 1-inch meatballs.
- Brown the Meatballs:
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the meatballs and brown them on all sides for about 5-7 minutes. Once browned, remove the meatballs from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté the Aromatics:
- In the same skillet, sauté the chopped onion and garlic until softened, about 2-3 minutes.
- Add the Spinach:
- Add the spinach to the skillet and cook until wilted, about 3 minutes.
- Make the Creamy Sauce:
- Pour in the heavy cream and broth, bringing the mixture to a simmer. Scrape up any browned bits from the pan to incorporate the flavors.
- Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until melted and the sauce thickens slightly.
- Combine the Meatballs and Pasta:
- Add the meatballs back into the skillet, followed by the cooked pasta. Toss everything together, ensuring the pasta and meatballs are evenly coated in the creamy sauce.
- Garnish and Serve:
- Garnish with fresh parsley or basil and serve warm.
Notes
- For Leaner Protein: Use ground turkey instead of beef for a lighter option.
- Add Spice: Add red pepper flakes to the sauce for a spicier kick.
- Lighter Sauce: Use half-and-half or Greek yogurt instead of heavy cream for a lighter version of the sauce.
- Gluten-Free: Swap out pasta and breadcrumbs for gluten-free alternatives to make the dish gluten-free.
- Alternative Cooking Method: For a hands-off approach, bake the meatballs instead of pan-frying them.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
