With ground turkey instead of beef, homemade baked turkey meatballs offer the comforting familiarity of your favorite meatball recipe. They use ingredients from the pantry, are juicy and moist (no dry meatballs allowed here!), and go great with a big bowl of spaghetti. Mangia!.
If you’re looking for a delicious and healthy alternative to traditional Italian meatballs, look no further than these Italian Turkey Meatballs Made with ground turkey, whole-wheat breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, and fresh herbs, these meatballs are packed with flavor and protein Plus, they’re baked in a light tomato sauce, making them a healthy and satisfying meal.
Why You’ll Love These Italian Turkey Meatballs:
- Healthy: Made with ground turkey, whole-wheat breadcrumbs, and Parmesan cheese, these meatballs are a lighter alternative to traditional Italian meatballs.
- Flavorful: The combination of ground turkey, herbs, and spices creates a delicious and flavorful meatball.
- Versatile: These meatballs can be served over pasta, in a sandwich, or on their own.
- Easy to make: This recipe is simple to follow and can be made in under an hour.
Ingredients:
- 20 oz ground turkey breast (93% lean)
- 1/4 cup whole wheat seasoned breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup Pecorino or Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1/4 cup parsley, finely chopped
- 1 egg
- 1 large clove garlic, crushed
- 1 tsp kosher salt + fresh pepper
For the marinara sauce:
- 2 tsp olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, smashed
- 2 28 oz cans crushed tomatoes
- 1/2 small onion, cut in half but don’t chop
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/4 cup fresh chopped basil
- salt and fresh pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
- In a medium size pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add garlic and saute until golden, being careful not to burn. Add crushed tomatoes, onion, salt, pepper, oregano, basil and bay leaf. Stir and reduce heat to low. Cover and let simmer on low 5-10 minutes.
- Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine ground turkey, breadcrumbs, egg, parsley, garlic and cheese. Using wet hands, mix all the ingredients well until everything is combined. Form small meatballs, about the size of a ping ping ball (1/8th cup each).
- You can brown the meatballs in a skillet, or brown them in the broiler on a sheet pan until the tops are golden, 7 to 8 minutes. OR you can gently plop them right into the sauce.
- Add the meatballs to the sauce and cook about 20 minutes. Discard the bay leaf and onion and serve over pasta or whole wheat Italian bread.
Tips:
- You can make them with 99% lean turkey although they will be more dry, if you do.
- For a gluten-free option, use gluten-free breadcrumbs.
- If you don’t have fresh herbs, you can use 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano and 1/4 teaspoon dried basil.
- These meatballs can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- To reheat, simply warm them in the oven or microwave.
Variations:
- Add 1/4 teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes for a spicy kick.
- Use ground chicken instead of ground turkey.
- Serve the meatballs with a side of your favorite dipping sauce, such as marinara sauce, pesto, or BBQ sauce.
These Italian Turkey Meatballs are a delicious and healthy meal that the whole family will love They’re easy to make, packed with flavor, and can be served in a variety of ways. So give them a try tonight!
Additional Resources:
- Skinnytaste Italian Turkey Meatballs: https://www.skinnytaste.com/skinny-italian-meatballs-turkey-1-p/
- Allrecipes Italian Turkey Meatballs: https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/258027/my-italian-turkey-meatballs/
Frequently Asked Questions:
- Can I use ground chicken instead of ground turkey?
Yes, you can use ground chicken instead of ground turkey. - Can I make these meatballs ahead of time?
Yes, you can make these meatballs ahead of time and store them in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. - How do I reheat these meatballs?
To reheat, simply warm them in the oven or microwave. - What should I serve with these meatballs?
These meatballs can be served over pasta, in a sandwich, or on their own.
Why You’ll Love These Baked Turkey Meatballs
- Easy. These turkey meatballs come together quickly, just like all of my 30-minute meals, which makes them a lifesaver on hectic evenings. Baking makes them hands-free!.
- Juicy and Moist. Have you ever been burned by tasteless or, gasp!, dry turkey meatballs? I was too, which is why I made sure the meat in all of my ground turkey recipes, from Turkey Burgers to Turkey Chili, is moist and tender.
- Simple Ingredients. You probably already have everything you need in your pantry to make these easy turkey meatballs once you have your ground turkey and Parmesan in the fridge.
- Pure Comfort. Good ol’ spaghetti and meatballs is about as intrinsically satisfying as it gets, and pasta recipes always seem to work no matter what day of the week.
- Makes Plenty. Our two-person household loves leftovers, so the recipe makes about 20 meatballs, which is enough to feed a small dinner group or several dinners. My Crock Pot Turkey Meatballs are a great option if you need to make more turkey meatballs for a large gathering.
Recipe Tips & Tricks
- Don’t Overwork the Meat. If you overwork the meatballs, they will become tough; if you work with it lightly, you will always have juicy, tender turkey meatballs. You probably overworked the meat or packed them too firmly if your turkey meatballs are tough or rubbery.
- Trust and Believe: Baking Is Best. It’s quick, simple to clean up, and produces juicy results as long as you coat the meatballs in olive oil. To make cleanup easier, place the turkey meatballs on a baking sheet covered with parchment paper or aluminum foil. Then, without needing to fry them messy, brush the meatballs with olive oil to ensure they turn a lovely golden color on the outside and juicy inside. When making a meatball recipe for a leisurely evening or a special occasion, like this Mozzarella Meatball Casserole, save the stovetop method for last.
- Use a Meat Thermometer. Your meatballs can be cooked safely even though they are still slightly pink inside. Using a meat thermometer is the most effective way to determine when they are done without drying them out.
- Add Herbs if You’ve Got ‘Em. If you happen to have fresh basil or other herbs on hand, they are a great addition to meatballs served any way.
