Description
Indulge in a comforting and flavorful dish featuring tender turkey and ricotta meatballs, baked to golden perfection and served over garlicky spinach-infused rigatoni. This protein-packed meal brings a delicious balance of creamy, savory, and herby flavors, making it an irresistible weeknight dinner favorite.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Meatballs:
- 1 pound ground turkey
- 1/2 cup ricotta cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 egg
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
For the Garlic Spinach Rigatoni:
- 12 ounces rigatoni pasta
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
- 4 cups fresh spinach
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Grated Parmesan cheese for serving
Instructions
- Preheat & Prep: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Mix the Meatballs: In a large bowl, combine ground turkey, ricotta cheese, Parmesan, breadcrumbs, egg, minced garlic, oregano, salt, pepper, and parsley. Mix until just combined, being careful not to overwork the meat.
- Shape & Bake: Form the mixture into 1.5-inch meatballs and place them on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 20-25 minutes until cooked through and golden brown.
- Cook Pasta: While the meatballs bake, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add rigatoni and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Prepare the Garlic Spinach: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add sliced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant. Add fresh spinach and cook until wilted, about 2-3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
- Combine & Serve: Toss the cooked rigatoni with the garlic spinach mixture, adding a splash of pasta water if needed. Plate the pasta, top with turkey meatballs, and sprinkle with additional grated Parmesan cheese.
Notes
- For extra juiciness, avoid over-mixing the meatball mixture.
- Use whole wheat or gluten-free rigatoni for a healthier alternative.
- Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the garlic spinach for a subtle kick.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking, Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
Keywords: Turkey meatballs, ricotta meatballs, spinach rigatoni, healthy pasta, baked meatballs, Italian-inspired dinner