• Preheat and Prep Preheat your oven to 375°F. Line one or two large baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone liner and set aside.
• Combine the olive oil, chopped onion, bell peppers, spinach and garlic in a medium saucepan and cook on medium heat until all excess liquid is gone. Stir to ensure vegetables are evenly cooked and do not burn. Remove from heat and let it cool for about 10 minutes.
• Mix In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground chicken or turkey, breakfast sausage, pancake mix, smooth cottage cheese, shredded cheddar, and cooked, slightly cooled vegetable mixture. Mix well until everything is evenly incorporated — the mixture should be cohesive and easy to scoop. Don't be afraid to use your hands here; we like to wear disposable kitchen gloves and incorporate all of the ingredients by hand, We have found it's the most effective method to ensure all the ingredients are well combined.
• Portion Using a small cookie scoop, scoop the mixture into bite-sized bites — roughly 1 to 1½ inches in diameter. Place them on your prepared baking sheets with a little space between each one.
• Bake Bake for 18-23 minutes, until the bites are golden brown on the outside and cooked through. The internal temperature should reach 165°F. Every oven is a little different, so start checking at the 18-minute mark.

Optional add-ins for extra personality:

• Diced green chiles (drained) or chopped jalapeños for heat.

  Fresh herbs like Rosemary or Sage for extra flavor.

  Mushrooms, finely diced, for earthiness.

  Gruyère or Parmesan cheese in place of (or alongside) cheddar for a more complex, nutty flavor.