Give Turkey Meatballs A Superfood Boost By Adding Kale

If you like meatballs and you're on the lookout for new ways to add nutritionally dense foods into your diet, look no further than turkey meatballs boosted with vibrant greens like kale. Widely considered a superfood for its sheer amount of nutritional and health benefits, kale is said to be packed with free-radical scavenging flavonoid antioxidants, vitamins C, K, and beta-carotene. And according to the Mayo Clinic, kale's dense fiber and nutrients can aid in regulating blood pressure, reducing post-meal blood sugar, and assist in supporting a healthy immune system, as well as potentially reducing the risk of certain kinds of cancer.

Combine that with lean turkey meat (lower in saturated fat than beef), and you have a healthful and tasty complimentary combo. It's also a great way to pack in a little extra veggie content to your diet without adding yet another full dish to your dinner roster. Relatively inexpensive and easy to implement, this nutritious hack is doable even on a busy weeknight and even more delectable when popped atop a mound of freshly cooked spaghetti squash.

This scrumptious meal is a super easy one-bowl recipe. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and gather the following ingredients: ground turkey, 1 bunch of kale (curly or lacinato work well, but any variety can be used), 1 egg, and a few shakes of soy or Worcestershire sauce, along with your preferred seasonings. Then, just wash and chiffonade your kale (cutting into thin strips) before adding to your meat mixture.

Wondering how to season them? Keep it simple with rosemary, parsley, garlic powder, and salt and pepper for a subtle but tasty bite. Looking for something a little more Thanksgiving-y, try adding poultry seasoning and onion powder and serving them over mashed potatoes and gravy. Want Italian? Garlic, basil, oregano, and/or mixed Italian seasoning, and a vibrant marinara can take you there. Need something more off the beaten path? Add garlic, cumin, allspice, cinnamon, cilantro or mint, and a handful of shredded carrots before serving over couscous or quinoa and topping with a drizzle of yogurt sauce for a Morrocan take on this meaty marvel.

Place everything in a large bowl and form the meatballs with your bare hands or using a small ice cream or melon scoop, placing them on a parchment-covered baking sheet as you go. Then pop in the oven for about 12-15 minutes or until the meatballs have cooked through. Turkey-kale meatballs can be served on pasta, zucchini noodles, sweet potato fries, or with a salad.