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Zesty Turkey & Ricotta Meatballs with Garlic Spinach Rigatoni

Zesty Turkey & Ricotta Meatballs with Garlic Spinach Rigatoni Bliss

Savor the delicious Zesty Turkey & Ricotta Meatballs with Garlic Spinach Rigatoni, a healthy and quick meal, ready in just 35 minutes.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Pasta
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 450
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Meatballs
  • 1 lb Ground Turkey or ground chicken
  • 1 cup Ricotta Cheese substitute with cottage cheese or mascarpone
  • 1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese use other hard cheeses if needed
  • 1/2 cup Breadcrumbs gluten-free option available
  • 1 large Egg essential for binding
  • 2 cloves Minced Garlic fresh is best
  • 1 tbsp Lemon Zest always use fresh
  • 2 tbsp Fresh Parsley or dried herbs in lesser amounts
  • 1 tbsp Fresh Oregano or dried herbs in lesser amounts
  • 1/2 tsp Crushed Red Pepper Flakes omit for milder flavor
  • 1 tbsp Olive Oil optional if using non-stick skillet
For the Rigatoni & Spinach
  • 12 oz Rigatoni substitute with gluten-free pasta if needed
  • 4 cups Fresh Spinach kale can be used as a substitute

Equipment

  • Baking sheet
  • large mixing bowl
  • Skillet
  • large pot

Method
 

Step‑by‑Step Instructions
  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, combine ground turkey, ricotta, Parmesan, breadcrumbs, egg, garlic, lemon zest, parsley, oregano, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Mix until just combined.
  3. Shape into 1-inch meatballs and place on the prepared baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil. Bake for 15–18 minutes until golden brown and 165°F (75°C) internally.
  4. Boil salted water in a large pot, add rigatoni, and cook until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving some pasta water.
  5. In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat, add garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant. Add fresh spinach and cook until wilted, about 3-4 minutes.
  6. Toss the cooked rigatoni with wilted spinach in the skillet, season with salt and pepper, and serve topped with Zesty Turkey & Ricotta Meatballs and additional Parmesan.

Nutrition

Serving: 1mealCalories: 450kcalCarbohydrates: 50gProtein: 30gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 7gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 120mgSodium: 600mgPotassium: 800mgFiber: 4gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 500IUVitamin C: 20mgCalcium: 200mgIron: 3mg

Notes

For the best results, avoid overmixing meatball ingredients and use fresh ingredients where possible. Store leftovers properly in the fridge or freezer.

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