Italian Meatballs with Spinach

Recipe makes 5 servings

Ingredients:

Meatballs:
1 pound (450g) ground beef
½ cup grated parmesan
1 egg
1 teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon dried basil
½ teaspoon onion powder
½ teaspoon salt (or to taste)
¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
2 Tablespoons olive oil

Tomato Sauce:
14 ounces (400g) canned whole tomatoes
Salt and pepper to taste
2 Tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped

Spinach:
¼ cup butter
7 ounces (200g) frozen spinach, thawed
Salt and pepper to taste

Topping:
1 cup mozzarella

 

Instructions:

In a medium bowl, combine ground beef, parmesan, egg, garlic powder, basil, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Mix well and shape the mixture into meatballs, each about 0.8 inch (2 cm) in diameter.

Grease a large frying pan with olive oil and heat over medium-high heat. Add the meatballs and cook for 5-7 minutes, turning them a couple of times. Add the tomatoes and season with salt and pepper. Cover with a lid and continue to cook for 8-10 minutes. Finally, add the parsley and mix well. Remove the meatballs from the pan and set aside.

Now, prepare the spinach. Melt butter in a large frying pan over medium heat. Add the spinach and season with salt and pepper. Cook for 5-6 minutes, stirring constantly. Remove from the heat.

Place the meatballs in a serving bowl and top them with the cooked spinach and mozzarella. Serve immediately.


Nutritional breakdown per serving (recipe makes 5 servings)

480 Calories
36.6g Protein
34.6g Fat
2.8g Fiber
6.4g Total Carbs
3.4g NET Carbs

Dr. Benjamin Bikman

Author

Dr. Benjamin Bikman, PhD, is a metabolic scientist and professor of Physiology & Developmental Biology, widely recognized for his research on insulin resistance, human metabolism, and metabolic health. As an expert in energy regulation and the hormonal drivers of obesity, he has published numerous studies connecting diet, macronutrient balance, and insulin response. Dr. Bikman is the Co-Founder and Chief Scientist of HLTH Code, where he applies his metabolic research to formulate science-backed nutrition solutions. He is also the author of Why We Get Sick, a leading book on metabolic dysfunction, and is frequently referenced in discussions on low-carb nutrition, protein prioritization, and metabolic wellness.