Turkey and Spinach Meatballs in Roasted Red Pepper Cream Sauce with Zucchini and Brussels Sprouts
An original dish created for the diabetic-friendly category: tender turkey and spinach meatballs, baked and finished in a creamy roasted red pepper and Greek yogurt sauce, served with sautéed zucchini and browned Brussels sprouts. It is flavorful, balanced, and easy enough for a complete weeknight meal.
Important notice: This recipe is not medical advice. Consult your healthcare professional.
Ingredients
- 500 g ground turkey (preferiblemente magro)
- 80 g fresh spinach (chopped finely)
- 1 unit egg (for ligar)
- 30 g almond flour (without compactar)
- 3 cloves garlic (2 chopped for the meatballs and 1 for the sauce)
- 100 g onion (finely chopped, divided)
- 2 g dried oregano (divided)
- 3 g sweet paprika (divided)
- 6 g salt (or to taste, divided)
- 2 g black pepper (divided)
- 30 ml olive oil (divided)
- 180 g roasted red pepper (escurrido si es of frasco)
- 120 g plain Greek yogurt (whole or semidescremado)
- 120 ml low-sodium chicken broth (for the sauce)
- 15 ml lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
- 300 g zucchini (en medias lunas)
- 300 g Brussels sprouts (cut por the mitad)
- 10 g fresh parsley (chopped for terminar)
Nutrition facts
per serving
Approximate nutritional information. Estimated from the recipe’s ingredients and amounts, using standard reference nutrition values. It may vary with brands, sizes and cooking method. For guidance only; not a substitute for medical or dietary advice.
Allergens
Instructions
- 1
Preheat the oven to 220 °C / 425 °F. Line a baking tray with parchment paper or lightly grease it with some of the olive oil.
- 2
In a large bowl, mix the ground turkey, chopped spinach, egg, almond flour, 2 minced garlic cloves, half of the chopped onion, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, 1/2 teaspoon sweet paprika, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper until well combined.
- 3
Shape the mixture into 16 even meatballs and place them on the tray. Drizzle or brush with 1 tablespoon of the olive oil. Bake for 14 to 16 minutes at 220 °C / 425 °F, until cooked through and lightly golden.
- 4
Meanwhile, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1/2 tablespoon olive oil and cook the Brussels sprouts with a pinch of salt and pepper for 6 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until browned and tender. Remove and set aside.
- 5
In the same skillet, add the remaining 1/2 tablespoon olive oil and sauté the zucchini for 3 to 4 minutes with a pinch of salt, until tender but still slightly firm. Remove and set aside with the Brussels sprouts.
- 6
Reduce to medium heat. Add the remaining onion and the remaining minced garlic clove to the skillet. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes until fragrant and softened. Stir in the roasted red pepper, the remaining 1/2 teaspoon sweet paprika, the remaining pinch of oregano, the chicken broth, and the lemon juice. Cook for 2 minutes.
- 7
Transfer the sauce mixture to a blender, or use an immersion blender, and blend until smooth. Return the sauce to the skillet over low heat and stir in the Greek yogurt gently so it becomes creamy. Adjust with the remaining salt and pepper, without letting it boil.
- 8
Add the baked meatballs to the sauce and cook over low heat for 2 minutes so they absorb the flavors. Return the zucchini and Brussels sprouts to the skillet, or serve them on the side.
- 9
Finish with the chopped fresh parsley and serve hot.
Chef tips
For a juicier texture, avoid overmixing the meat. If the turkey is very lean, you can add 1 extra tablespoon of Greek yogurt to the meatball mixture. Warm the sauce gently after adding the yogurt to prevent splitting.
Substitutions
You can substitute the turkey with ground chicken. Spinach can be replaced with very finely chopped Swiss chard. If you do not have roasted red peppers, roast your own in the oven at 220 °C / 425 °F until tender and blistered. For a dairy-free version, use unsweetened plain plant-based yogurt; make sure it has a creamy texture.
What I used to make it
Generic kitchen tools that work for this recipe. You don’t need to buy anything to make it.
Illustrative imageNinja Professional BL610 Blender
Smoothies, sauces and soups
- Smoothies, sauces and soups
- Easy-to-wash jar
- Check the power and jar size
Illustrative imageCosori Pro LE 5 Qt Air Fryer
Browning and baking with little oil
- Browns food with very little oil
- Handy for vegetables, chicken and reheating
- Check the basket capacity
Illustrative imageTempPro TP19H Digital Thermometer
Checking doneness of meat and chicken
- Checks doneness of meat and chicken
- Quick reading
- Clean the probe after each use
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