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Italian Meatballs with Creamed Spinach

If you’re looking for a comforting and hearty meal that’s bursting with flavor, look no further than our Traeger Italian Meatballs with Creamed Spinach. This classic Italian-American dish features juicy, tender meatballs over a bed of creamy spinach that’s been cooked with garlic, onion, and a touch of cream, all topped with a rich tomato sauce. This recipe is perfect for a family dinner or a special occasion, and is sure to satisfy even the pickiest eaters.

Traeger Italian Meatballs with Creamed Spinach

Traeger Italian Meatballs with Creamed Spinach

Need a change-up from your ordinary (but delicious) Spaghetti & Meatballs? This recipe might just be the ONE for you.

These tender meatballs are cooked on the Traeger before getting set on a bed of creamed spinach, topped with a fresh-made tomato sauce, covered in cheese, and then it gets another trip through the pellet grill until everything is melted and amazing.

Don’t have a Traeger, or is yours buried in snow? No worries! This recipe works just as well in the oven and on the stovetop. Just cook the meatballs in the oven and bake it all off in there too.

You won’t even miss the pasta.

If you do, or have some little ones around that demand the noodles – just serve with a side of buttered noodles. They probably won’t even complain too much about the spinach.

Get all of my Traeger Recipes here!

Traeger Italian Meatballs with Creamed Spinach

Italian Meatballs and Creamed Spinach shopping list

Wondering if you have to hit the store? Here’s the list of items you’ll need to make this recipe. For specific amounts, please refer to the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post.

  • ground beef
  • egg
  • Italian bread crumbs
  • yellow onion
  • garlic
  • parsley
  • parmesan cheese
  • salt & pepper
  • olive oil
  • red pepper flakes
  • crushed tomatoes
  • frozen spinach
  • chicken stock
  • heavy cream
  • nutmeg
  • Italian cheese blend
  • fresh basil
Italian Meatballs with Creamed Spinach

How to make Italian Meatballs with Creamed Spinach

This is just the overview so you can see what you’re actually getting into here. When you are cooking, you’ll want to use the full recipe at the bottom of the page.

1

Preheat

Fire that grill up and preheat to 350°F.

2

Make the meatballs

Combine the meatball ingredients and throw them onto the grill for 20-25 minutes.

3

Make the sauce and spinach

In a pan on the stove, add the olive oil and heat over medium heat. Sauté the garlic, red pepper flakes, and salt and pepper. Add the tomatoes and simmer over low heat.

Squeeze ALL the liquid out of the thawed spinach. In a separate pan, heat up the olive oil. Sauté the onion until soft and then add the rest of the spinach mix ingredients and cook until it is slightly thickened.

4

Assemble & Cook

Put the spinach mixture at the bottom of a grill-safe baking dish. Top with the meatballs. Then the sauce. Then the Italian cheese blend and parmesan.

Put the pan on the Traeger and cook for 30-40 minutes. Make sure the meatballs are fully cooked.

5

Enjoy

Top with fresh basil and enjoy!

Don’t skip our Traeger Smoked Meatballs either!

Traeger Italian Meatballs with Creamed Spinach

Meatballs with Creamed Spinach FAQ

What’s the best way to store leftovers?

Store these in a storage container in the fridge for 3-4 days. Everything will get kind of mixed together, but it’ll still taste great.

How should you reheat the leftovers?

The microwave works great to reheat these meatballs!

Italian Meatballs with Creamed Spinach

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Italian Meatballs with Creamed Spinach
Yield: 8 servings

Traeger Italian Meatballs with Creamed Spinach

Traeger Italian Meatballs with Creamed Spinach

This Italian Meatballs dish is like lasagna, without the noodles. The spinach layer cannot be skipped, and prepare to fall in love even if you are a die-hard pasta fanatic, like me.

Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes

Ingredients

Meatballs

  • 1 1/2 pounds ground beef
  • 1 large egg, beaten
  • 1/2 cup Italian bread crumbs
  • 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 2 teaspoons minced garlic
  • 1/4 cup chopped flat-leaf parsley
  • 1/2 cup grated high-quality shredded parmesan cheese
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

Sauce

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 teaspoons minced garlic
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 1 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes

Spinach

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 small onion, diced
  • 2 boxes frozen spinach, well-drained
  • 1/2 cup chicken stock
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • dash nutmeg

Cheese

  • 2 1/2 cups Italian cheese blend
  • 1/2 cup shredded parmesan cheese
  • 1/2 cup fresh basil

Instructions

  1. Preheat your grill to 350°F.
  2. Mix together the meatball ingredients until combined. Don't overwork it!
  3. Form into balls 1 inch in diameter and place onto the grill grates. Cook for 20-25 minutes.
  4. Place a medium sized sauté pan on the stove over medium heat. Add the olive oil, 2 teaspoons minced garlic, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Cook for a minute, and then add the crushed tomatoes. Reduce heat to low and simmer.
  5. In a separate pan, heat up 2 tablespoons olive oil and add the onion. Sauté until onion is soft and add in the squeezed/drained spinach. Add the chicken stock, cream, and nutmeg. Cook for 4-6 minutes, until slightly thickened.
  6. Spread the spinach over the bottom of a pan and top with the meatballs and then the tomato sauce. Cover with Italian cheese and parmesan.
  7. Cook in the Traeger at 350 for 30-40 minutes minutes. Temp the meatballs to make sure they are at least 160°F. Top with fresh basil before serving.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

8

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 625Total Fat: 43gSaturated Fat: 19gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 20gCholesterol: 160mgSodium: 1062mgCarbohydrates: 18gFiber: 4gSugar: 7gProtein: 43g

Nutrition data provided here is only an estimate. If you are tracking these things for medical purposes please consult an outside, trusted source. Thanks!

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Nicole Johnson
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Nicole Johnson, a self-taught expert in grilling and outdoor cooking, launched Or Whatever You Do in 2010. Her blog, renowned for its comprehensive and creative outdoor cooking recipes, has garnered a vast audience of millions. Nicole's hands-on experience and passion for grilling shine through her work. Her husband, Jeremiah Johnson, also plays a pivotal role in recipe development, adding his culinary flair to the mix. Together, they form a dynamic duo, offering a rich and varied outdoor cooking experience to their followers.

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