Tuscan Meatballs with Creamy Orzo
This easy and delicious meal has become one of my new favorites to make! It's hearty and satisfying to the taste buds! The meatballs are very easy to make and are baked in the oven while you cook the orzo in a rich Tuscan sauce composed of sun dried tomatoes, garlic, onion, dairy free parmesan cheese, spinach, oregano, basil, thyme. This recipe is made dairy and gluten free but you couldn't tell! These Tuscan meatballs with creamy orzo is definitely something the whole family can enjoy.
Equipment
- 1 large pan
- 1 baking sheet
- Parchment paper
Ingredients
For the meatballs
- 1 lb ground turkey
- 1 shallot chopped
- 1/4 cup chopped parsley
- 1/2 cup almond flour
- 1/3 cup dairy free parmesian
- 1 garlic clove minced
- 1/2 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/4 tsp salt
For the creamy orzo
- 1 box gluten free/grain free orzo pasta
- 1 cup yellow onion chopped
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
- 1 can full fat coconut milk
- 1 cup dairy free parmesian
- 2 tbsp olive or avocado oil
- 4 cups spinach
- 1/2 cup sun dried tomatoes chopped
- Juice of 1/2 a lemon
- 1 tsp oregano
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1/2 tsp dried thyme
Instructions
- In a bowl, mix together all the ingredients for the meat balls and make sure everything is well blended.
- Roll the ground turkey mixture into about 16 meat balls and place on a parchment paper lined baking sheet. Bake the meat balls for about 15 minutes at 400 degrees.
- While the meatballs are baking, make the creamy orzo by first heating a large pan on the stove over medium heat.
- Add the olive or avocado oil, minced garlic, sun dried tomatoes and chopped yellow onion. Sauté everything for about 5-7 minutes.
- Add the broth to the pan along with the oregano, thyme, basil, and orzo pasta. Bring everything to a boil and then let the orzo cook for about 12-14 minutes. Stir the orzo constantly to prevent it from sticking to the bottom of the pan.(the is necessary so please don't forget!)
- Once the orzo is fully cooked, add in the coconut milk, dairy free parmesan, lemon juice, and spinach to the pan, stir until the spinach has wilted and the parmesan has melted.
- Take the pan off the heat and set aside. Add the creamy orzo to a bowl and then serve with a few of the Tuscan meatballs and enjoy!