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Spinach-Cheese Balls with Pasta Sauce

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By Pillsbury Kitchens
Updated Sep 24, 2008
Bake-Off® Contest 42, 2006
Ann Waller
Conroe, Texas
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An electric deep fryer can be used to fry these flavor-packed appetizer balls.

Spinach-Cheese Balls with Pasta Sauce

  • Prep Time 60 min
  • Total 60 min
  • Ingredients 15
  • Servings 20
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Ingredients

  • 1 box (9 oz) frozen chopped spinach
  • 1 egg, beaten
  • 1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese (4 oz)
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (4 oz)
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano leaves
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 container (15 oz) ricotta cheese
  • 2 cups Pillsbury BEST® all-purpose flour
  • Vegetable oil for deep frying
  • 3/4 cup Progresso™ Italian style bread crumbs
  • 1 jar (25.5 oz) Muir Glen™ organic garden vegetable pasta sauce, heated

Instructions

  • Step 
    1
    Remove frozen spinach from pouch; place in colander. Rinse with warm water until thawed; drain well. Squeeze spinach dry with paper towel.
  • Step 
    2
    Meanwhile, in large bowl, mix egg, both cheeses, salt, onion powder, garlic powder, oregano, sour cream, oil and ricotta cheese until well blended. Add spinach to cheese mixture; mix well. Stir in flour, 1 cup at a time, until well blended.
  • Step 
    3
    Fill 10-inch skillet half full with oil; heat over medium heat until candy/deep-fry thermometer reads 350°F. (Or use deep fryer; add oil to fill line and heat to 350°F.)
  • Step 
    4
    Meanwhile, place bread crumbs in small bowl. Shape spinach-cheese mixture into 1 1/2-inch balls (about 40), using about 1 1/2 tablespoons for each; roll in bread crumbs and place on cookie sheet.
  • Step 
    5
    Fry 6 balls at a time 4 to 6 minutes, turning as necessary, until golden brown. With slotted spoon, remove balls from skillet; place on paper towels to drain. Cool 2 minutes before serving; serve with warm pasta sauce for dipping.

Nutrition

220 Calories
12g Total Fat
9g Protein
18g Total Carbohydrate
2g Sugars

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size: 1 Serving
Calories
220
Calories from Fat
110
Total Fat
12g
19%
Saturated Fat
4 1/2g
22%
Trans Fat
0g
Cholesterol
30mg
10%
Sodium
450mg
19%
Potassium
90mg
3%
Total Carbohydrate
18g
6%
Dietary Fiber
1g
6%
Sugars
2g
Protein
9g
% Daily Value*:
Vitamin A
30%
30%
Vitamin C
2%
2%
Calcium
20%
20%
Iron
8%
8%
Exchanges:
1 Starch; 0 Fruit; 0 Other Carbohydrate; 0 Skim Milk; 0 Low-Fat Milk; 0 Milk; 0 Vegetable; 0 Very Lean Meat; 0 Lean Meat; 0 High-Fat Meat; 1 1/2 Fat;
Carbohydrate Choice
1
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
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