Dinner recipe

Saucy Turkey Meatballs with Tomato Orzo

Name: Saucy Turkey Meatballs with Tomato Orzo
Prep time: 14 min
Cook time: 24 min
Total time: 38 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 500g turkey mince; 300g orzo; 500g passata; 180g baby spinach; 1 onion; 3 cloves garlic; 1 lemon; 50g Parmesan; 2 tsp dried oregano; 2 tbsp olive oil

Tender turkey meatballs simmered with tomato orzo, spinach, oregano, lemon, and a little Parmesan.

Plan with this recipe Start cooking Ingredients

40 min590 kcal4 base servingsFamily FriendlyOne PanDinner

ContainsGluten, Milk

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Recipe and nutrition estimates

Recipe times, servings, calories and nutrition notes are estimates for planning. They are not medical or dietary advice. Check food is cooked safely and adjust recipes for your household's needs.

Focus ingredients: turkey mince, orzo, passata, baby spinach

Dietary fit: Lower Sugar

Serving tip: Use small meatballs so they cook through in the same time as the orzo.

Turkey Tomato Orzo Meatballs plated and ready to serve.

Image: Shop Sorted generated asset

Ingredients

What you need

500g turkey mince
300g orzo
500g passata
180g baby spinach
1 onion
3 cloves garlic
1 lemon
50g Parmesan
2 tsp dried oregano
2 tbsp olive oil

You'll also need

wide lidded pan, mixing bowl, box grater, knife, chopping board

Method

Step by step

Up to 8 clear steps

Step 1
Prep the base
Finely chop the onion, grate the garlic and Parmesan, zest the lemon, and cut the zested lemon into wedges.
8 min
Step 2
Shape the meatballs
Mix the turkey mince with half the garlic, half the Parmesan, half the oregano, lemon zest, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Shape into 20 small meatballs, pressing each one firmly so it holds together.
8 min
Step 3
Brown the meatballs
Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a wide lidded pan over a medium-high heat. Brown the meatballs for 5-6 minutes, turning gently, until golden on at least two sides, then lift them onto a plate.
6 min
Step 4
Build the tomato sauce
Lower the heat to medium. Add the remaining olive oil and onion to the pan and cook for 5 minutes until softened. Stir in the remaining garlic and oregano for 1 minute, then pour in the passata and 450ml water. Add a small pinch of sugar only if the tomatoes taste sharp.
7 min
Step 5
Simmer with orzo
Stir in the orzo, then nestle the meatballs back into the pan. Cover and simmer for 10-12 minutes, stirring gently twice, until the orzo is tender and the meatballs are piping hot through.
12 min
Step 6
Wilt the spinach and serve
Fold in the spinach a handful at a time for 2 minutes until just wilted, adding a splash of hot water if the orzo thickens. Spoon into bowls, scatter over the remaining Parmesan, and serve with lemon wedges for squeezing over.
3 min

Typical values	per serving
Energy	590 kcal
Protein	42g
Carbohydrate	66.4g
of which sugars	12g
Fat	21g
of which saturates	5.9g
Fibre	6g
Salt	1g

Saucy Turkey Meatballs with Tomato Orzo

What you need

You'll also need

Step by step

Prep the base

Shape the meatballs

Brown the meatballs

Build the tomato sauce

Simmer with orzo

Wilt the spinach and serve

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