Simply Dressed Meatballs are one of those fast, easy and tasty bites you can create that will help simplify your daily meal routine. Make a batch and eat some now then freeze the leftovers for a fast meal later.
I love to take meals and salads and make them into burgers or meatballs or the other way around, so they are fast and easy to make. One of my favorite summer salads is a spinach salad with strawberries and a poppyseed dressing. This is my twist on that salad. These meatballs use Marzetti Simply Dressed Strawberry Poppyseed Salad Dressing along with spinach and almonds mixed into the meatballs.
The mixture of ground pork and turkey makes for a very flavorful and juicy meatball. Pairing it with the dressing adds a sweetness that makes these pop. You can serve them on a bed of spinach as shown or with noodles, rice, or quinoa. You can also serve them on a roll for a sandwich with your favorite toppings. If you just want to have fun they make a great finger foods as an appetizer at a dinner party, tailgating or your New Year’s Eve party! I think one of my favorite fast meals with these Simply Dressed Meatballs was for breakfast with scrambled eggs, sautéed spinach and garlic.
Depending on what you want these gems to look like and how much hands on time you have, will determine how you cook them. You can cook them in the oven and they will stay a little lighter. If you cook them in a pan on the stovetop they will brown up and the dressing will caramelize on the outside more. We liked them both ways.
If you’ve read some of my other mixed meat recipes like my Chicken Meatballs or my Recipe for Meatballs With Heart you’ll know I like to sneak some of the good stuff inside the meatballs. With these I’ve added the carrot and spinach into the mix but feel free to add in more. You might like to include some chia seeds, other leafy green vegetables and my favorite is to add golden beets. So have fun and get creative. You’ll notice this recipe is also egg free. I find that adding arrowroot to a meat mixture keeps it together. I like Penzey’s brand the best.
Stay tuned to next week when I have a fun event where you share your Simple Salad Recipe ideas for a chance to win a prize pack from Marzetti Salad Dressings.
Disclaimer: “I was one of six bloggers selected by T. Marzetti Company to be a Simply Dressed Ambassador. They compensated for my time however, my opinions are entirely my own and I have not been paid to publish positive comments.”
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I love turkey meatballs and to top it off love poppyseed dressing !
Celeste I agree there is just something about a turkey meatball. I do like to sneak in pork too. I hope you get to try these. Let me know what you think.
Meatballs are so versatile and you've just shown me even more ways to use them. I use some Asian sauces in recipes to jazz them up, but never thought to use dressings like this.
Wendy I do have a love affair with meatballs and burgers. You can add so many fun things to them. Thank you for stopping by.
Love me some meatballs. The dressing definitely makes these different, I'm sure. I'd love to try them!
Thank you Alta. What do you like to add to your meatball recipes?
These are gorgeous meatballs! 😉 And I always love my meatballs having a little sweetness factor. 😉
Shirley
Shirley I do like that too, especially for a party. I think I need to dress these guys up in a tux for New Year's Eve!
This is so cool! It never occurred to me that you could use a different sauce other than tomato sauce with meatballs!! Diane, this is blowing my mind. And it looks deelicious.
Thank you Lillian. I bet you can think of all sorts of things to add to meatballs now. Like maple syrup. A or B?
I love the idea of a meatball salad on a bed of spinach! =) That's my kind of meal. And "simply dressed" is my kind of recipe. Perfect!
Melissa
Thank you Melissa. I bet you add the beets into the meatballs or just on the plate too.
YUM!!! Beautiful meatballs Diane – the poppy seed dressing sounds really good too! This is my kind of eating, simple, delicious, real food…doesn't get better than that!
Thank you Heidi!
This is perfect. I also like my meatballs a little sweet. And a meatball salad? This would be a huge hit in my house! I am pinning this so that I can make these this weekend! Great recipe!
Kim I know you'll have fun with these. Let me know if you add any other goodies into the mix. Have a great weekend.
OMG, that last picture makes me want those meatballs now! So creative to use the strawberry dressing with it Diane. I bet that adds a nice little sweet contrast.
Thank yo Alisa. The dressing does add a nice touch. It's a good change of pace from the same old.