Spinach and Feta Meatballs

Meatballs are great.  You can't go wrong with meatballs.

But you can make meatballs better.

To give these meatballs a bit of a Greek twist, I added spinach and crumbled feta cheese to a meatball mixture that just explodes the flavor through the roof. 

Ingredients:
-1 10 oz package spinach, thawed
-1 lb ground beef (extra lean)
-3 oz crumbled feta
-1 egg
-1/4 cup bread crumbs
-1 jar of sauce

1.  This is the kind of ground beef I used.  It didn't end up being too dry or anything, so i say, go for the leanest you can get. 

And just a little container of pre-crumbled feta is what I used.

So put the meat in a mixing bowl.

Add the crumbled feta.

Then defrost a block of spinach into a mushy mess like this. 

But you have to wring out all the water from it before you use it.  Easiest way is just to squeeze it with your fists.  There!

Then add the spinach to the meatball mixture.

Add the egg and bread crumbs next, and mix it till well incorporated.

No salt necessary, the feta is salty enough :)

2.  Now, take a spoonful of meatball mixture in one hand and roll it into a compact ball.  Do this until you've used up all the meat. 

I love rolling meatballs.  And this is something easy and fun that kids can help out on.  Just make sure they don't lick their hands afterwards.  What.  

3.  In a large skillet with higher walls, spray bottom of pan well or coat with a little vegetable oil.  Turn to high heat.  When super sizzling hot, add meatballs.  Don't move them around right away, let them cook on one side until they move when nudged. 

4.  Roll 'em around until all sides are browned.  Take a few tbsps of water and pour it into the pan.  It will steam like crazy, and that'll help with the cooking. 

5.  Lower the heat to medium low and add sauce.  Once it starts to bubble, lower even more so that it simmers the meatballs.  Cover and simmer for 10 minutes or until biggest meatball is cooked through when split open.

I love the versatility of meatballs.  Especially these ones, which are fantastic totally on their own.  They can be served over pasta.  They could be served as appetizers on a serving platter with little toothpicks in them. 

But if you are me, and you don't have any time for that, you can toast half a pita and fill them with 3-4 meatballs for a delicious spinach and feta meatball sandwich for lunch!

Yum!  They smell so good, and taste like ABSOLUTE HEAVEN.  Oh my gosh.  They are so good.  The delicious, moist meat interspersed with gooey pieces of feta cheese is enough to drive you wild.  But then you have that spinach in there that makes this an A+ dish. 

Very rarely do i do a dance after the first bite of something.  I have some dignity, you know.  But this made me dance and do a jig right there in the kitchen.  Yes, it was partially because the meatball was scalding hot, but also because the flavor made me boogie.  Yummmm!!

Try these tonight, it's super easy to make, and it lasts the whole week!

For a printable version of this recipe, please click here.