Very Lean Alternative to High Fat Meatballs

Oatmeal Meatballs with Spinach (DON'T LET THE NAME SCARE YOU!)

From the August 2008 Issue of Self Magazine
Oats can help you drop pounds by revving your calorie burn and curbing cravings.
If you're looking to try Meatless Monday, shed some pounds or just amp up the fiber intake, try it ~ you just might like it!

INGREDIENTS
1/2 cup instant oats
1/4 cup nonfat plain yogurt
1/2 cup packed baby spinach, thinly sliced
1/4 cup packed basil, chopped, plus 1 sprig
1/4 cup grated Parmesan
1 egg white
3 cloves garlic, finely chopped, divided
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 pound all-white-meat ground turkey
olive oil cooking spray
1 can (26 oz) diced tomatoes, plus juice
1/2 cup dry white wine
4 oz whole-wheat pasta OR 4 oz gluten free pasta, cooked according to the package instructions

PREPARATION
Heat oven to 400˚. Mix oats and yogurt with 1/4 cup water in a bowl until oats begin to absorb liquid. Add spinach, basil, Parmesan, egg white, half the garlic, salt and pepper, and stir. Add turkey and mix until well combined. Form into 16 2-inch meatballs.
Coat a large, oven-safe stockpot with cooking spray. Add meatballs and bake until they begin to brown, 10 to 15 minutes. Turn and bake 10 minutes more. Add remaining garlic, basil sprig, tomatoes and wine. Cover and cook until meatballs are cooked through and sauce begins to thicken, 20 minutes. Serve immediately with pasta.
Makes 4 servings

THE SKINNY
314 calories per serving, 3.3 g fat (1.3 g saturated), 40.4 g carbs, 3.7 g fiber, 22.9 g protein