🍝 Mediterranean Turkey Meatball & Spinach Orzo
📝 Description
Mediterranean Turkey Meatball & Spinach Orzo is a comforting yet healthy one-pan dish featuring juicy turkey meatballs simmered in a light, herby tomato sauce with tender orzo pasta and fresh spinach. It’s packed with Mediterranean flavors like garlic, oregano, and olive oil, making it both nutritious and satisfying. The dish is hearty enough for a full meal but still light and balanced.
🍽️ Ingredients
For the Turkey Meatballs:
- 500g ground turkey
- 2 tbsp breadcrumbs
- 1 egg
- 3 garlic cloves (minced)
- 2 tbsp chopped parsley
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp paprika
- ½ tsp dried oregano
For the Orzo & Sauce:
- 1 cup orzo pasta
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 small onion (finely chopped)
- 2 garlic cloves (minced)
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup crushed tomatoes
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- ½ tsp chili flakes (optional)
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- Salt & pepper (to taste)
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
👨🍳 Instructions
- In a bowl, mix ground turkey, breadcrumbs, egg, garlic, parsley, salt, pepper, paprika, and oregano. Form small meatballs.
- Heat olive oil in a pan and cook meatballs until browned on all sides. Remove and set aside.
- In the same pan, sauté onion until soft, then add garlic and cook for 1 minute.
- Add orzo and toast lightly for 1–2 minutes.
- Pour in chicken broth and crushed tomatoes. Add oregano and chili flakes.
- Bring to a simmer, then add meatballs back to the pan.
- Cover and cook for 10–12 minutes until orzo is tender.
- Stir in fresh spinach and cook until wilted.
- Season with salt and pepper, then sprinkle Parmesan on top before serving.
❓ Q/A
Q1: Can I use a different meat instead of turkey?
✔️ Yes, you can use chicken, beef, or lamb for a richer flavor.
Q2: What is orzo, and can I substitute it?
✔️ Orzo is a small rice-shaped pasta. You can substitute with rice or small pasta like ditalini.
Q3: Can I make this dish dairy-free?
✔️ Yes, simply skip the Parmesan cheese or use a dairy-free alternative.
Q4: How do I store leftovers?
✔️ Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Q5: Can I make this one-pot meal ahead of time?
✔️ Yes, but add a little extra broth when reheating as orzo absorbs liquid.