Best Holiday Spinach Sausage Meatballs Recipes

MY MOM'S HOLIDAY SAUSAGE HOLIDAY BALLS

Steps:

• For the applesauce: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• Peel the apples, then thinly slice around the core. Place in a microwave-safe bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Microwave until the apples are tender, about 5 minutes. Place in a blender with the butter and puree. Set aside.
• For the sausage balls: Grease a rimmed baking sheet with the oil. Combine the sausage, cheese, pancake mix, chives, a big pinch of salt and a few grinds of black pepper in a large bowl and mix well. Roll into 1 1/2-inch balls (about the size of a Ping-Pong ball). Place on the prepared baking sheet in an even layer, leaving 1 inch between balls. Bake until cooked through and browned, 20 to 25 minutes. Serve with the applesauce.

BAKED ZITI WITH SAUSAGE MEATBALLS AND SPINACH

Steps:

• Using your hands, shape the sausage into about 35 (1-inch) meatballs.
• In a deep 12-inch skillet or a Dutch oven, heat the oil over medium. Working in two batches, fry the meatballs until golden all over, about 2 minutes per side, then transfer to a paper towel-lined sheet pan or platter. Cook the onion until softened, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the garlic, oregano and red-pepper flakes, if using, and cook until the garlic is fragrant, about 2 minutes.
• Add the tomatoes and their juices to the skillet, gently crushing them. Stir in the meatballs, bring to a simmer and cook, 20 minutes. Gently fold in the spinach, tossing until it wilts. Season with salt and pepper.
• Meanwhile, heat the oven to 400 degrees. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, add pasta and cook until 2 to 3 minutes short of al dente (it will finish cooking in the oven). Drain pasta.
• In a large bowl, combine the ricotta, crème fraîche and half the pecorino. Season with salt and pepper. Stir half the meatball sauce into the ricotta mixture. Add pasta and toss together to coat. Pour into a 9-by-13-inch baking dish that's at least 2 1/2 inches deep. Top with the remaining meatball sauce, the mozzarella and the remaining pecorino. Place uncovered baking dish on a sheet tray and bake until the cheese is melty and bubbly, 20 to 25 minutes.
• Turn heat to broil and cook until the cheese and pasta brown in spots, 1 to 2 minutes. (Don't walk away; the cheese can burn very quickly!) Remove from oven and let rest for 5 to 10 minutes before serving.

SAUSAGE BALLS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• In a large bowl, combine sausage, biscuit baking mix and cheese. Form into walnut size balls and place on baking sheets.
• Bake in preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes, until golden brown and sausage is cooked through.