Description
A comforting one-dish meal featuring layers of tender potato slices, savory meatballs infused with fresh spinach and aromatics, all baked under a luscious creamy cheese blend. This Cheesy Spinach Meatball Potato Bake combines hearty protein, nutritious greens, and creamy textures for a family-friendly favorite that’s easy to prepare, customizable, and perfect for meal prep.
Ingredients
Scale
Potatoes
- 4 large Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled (optional) and thinly sliced
Meatball Mixture
- 1 lb lean ground beef (or turkey/chicken)
- 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1 cup fresh spinach, chopped
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs (use gluten-free if needed)
- 1 large egg, beaten
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Cheese Blend
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
Sauce and Additional Ingredients
- 1 cup heavy cream or milk (or plant-based alternative for dairy-free)
- Butter or oil, for greasing the baking dish
Instructions
- Prepare the Potatoes: Peel the potatoes if desired and slice them into uniform thin rounds to ensure even cooking. Set aside while you prepare the meatball mixture and sauce.
- Make the Meatball Mixture: In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground meat with finely chopped garlic and onion, breadcrumbs, beaten egg, chopped spinach, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix gently until all ingredients are just incorporated to avoid tough meatballs.
- Form the Meatballs: Shape the mixture into small, bite-sized meatballs, compact but not overly packed, to maintain tenderness after baking.
- Assemble the Bake: Grease a baking dish. Layer half of the sliced potatoes evenly at the bottom, then arrange the meatballs on top. Sprinkle half of the remaining spinach and cheese over the meatballs. Repeat with the remaining potatoes and spinach, and finish with a thick layer of shredded cheese on top.
- Add the Creamy Sauce: Pour the heavy cream or milk evenly over the assembled layers, allowing it to seep through and meld the ingredients as it bakes.
- Bake Until Golden: Cover the dish with foil and bake at 375°F (190°C) for about 40 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
Notes
- Use uniform potato slices for even cooking and tender texture.
- Do not overmix the meatball ingredients to prevent tough meatballs.
- Drain excess moisture from spinach to avoid sogginess in the bake.
- Layer ingredients evenly for consistent flavor distribution.
- Allow the bake to rest slightly before serving to set and slice cleanly.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/6 of recipe)
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg
Keywords: cheesy spinach meatball potato bake, comfort food, baked meatballs, spinach casserole, family dinner, one dish meal, gluten free
