You’ll love how easy it is to make Italian style baked turkey meatballs. Browned evenly as they bake in the oven, you’ll bring perfect meatballs to the table every time.
This recipe makes the best turkey meatballs, and you can serve them in a lot of different ways.
It takes 20 minutes to prepare and 28 minutes to bake. You’ll need a mixing bowl, a sheet pan, and an oven.
There’s a restaurant in town that serves delicious spaghetti and meatballs. Or should I say “meatball,” since that’s all you get: a baseball-sized meatball on top of sausage and sauce. It’s really kind of hilarious looking, one giant meatball on a mound of spaghetti.
My mom used to buy canned Spaghetti-Os with meatballs. One big meatball was in the can, but there were several small meatballs about the size of a dime inside. My sister and I used to keep track of them so that each of us got the same number of meatballs with our Spaghetti-Os.
I’m sure you all have a meatball story. There are about as many meatball recipes as there are families. Everyone has their own way of making them and serving them.
Meatballs are so versatile. A lot of us have eaten meatballs with pasta, noodles, or rice, smothered in sauces from all over the world. You may have heard of creamy Swedish meatballs, but have you tried Greek meatballs with tzatziki? Honey-glazed meatballs from Chipotle are a popular way to serve appetizers or fill out a sandwich. Even vegetarians can enjoy eggplant meatballs!.
Today I bring you a recipe for Italian style baked turkey meatballs. The recipe is easy to make, the meatballs are delicious, and I’m sure you’re going to love them!.
Turkey meatballs are a delicious and healthier alternative to beef and pork meatballs. With less fat and calories but still packed with flavor and protein, turkey meatballs are a smart choice. Baking turkey meatballs is easy and ensures they stay tender while cooking evenly. But getting the bake time right is essential for properly cooked turkey meatballs without drying them out. So how long should you bake turkey meatballs at 375°F?
Recommended Turkey Meatball Bake Time
The baking time can vary based on the size of the meatballs and a few other factors. Here are general guidelines:
- For 1-inch turkey meatballs, bake at 375°F for 20-25 minutes.
- For 2-inch turkey meatballs, bake at 375°F for 25-30 minutes.
- If baking frozen meatballs, add 5-10 minutes to the bake time.
So for standard sized turkey meatballs about 1 1⁄2 inches in diameter, plan on baking at 375°F for 25-28 minutes.
Factors That Influence Turkey Meatball Bake Time
Several factors impact the bake time needed for turkey meatballs
- Size of the meatballs – Smaller meatballs take less time to cook through while larger meatballs need more time.
- Fresh vs. frozen – Frozen meatballs require 5-10 extra minutes of baking time.
- Meatball recipe – More binders like breadcrumbs shorten the bake time slightly.
- Quantity of meatballs – The more meatballs, the longer the bake time since the pan is cooler when first putting them in.
- Oven variabilities – All ovens heat a bit differently which affects bake times.
How to Tell When Turkey Meatballs Are Done
While bake times serve as a guide using an instant-read thermometer provides the most reliable doneness test. Turkey meatballs are safely cooked at an internal temperature of 165°F.
To check, insert the thermometer into the thickest part of a meatball, avoiding contact with the pan or bone. If the internal temperature is below 165°F, return the meatballs to the oven for 5 more minutes.
In addition to temperature, properly cooked turkey meatballs should be lightly browned on the outside and firm but still moist inside when poked.
Preventing Overcooked Dry Turkey Meatballs
It’s easy to overbake turkey meatballs, drying them out Follow these tips for moist, juicy meatballs
- Don’t overcrowd the meatballs on the baking sheet. Leave space between them.
- Brush meatballs lightly with oil or sauce midway through baking.
- Remove smaller meatballs sooner than larger ones.
- Allow meatballs to rest 5 minutes before serving.
Cooking Turkey Meatballs to Perfection
With the proper baking time and temperature, it’s easy to achieve perfectly cooked turkey meatballs every time. Baked at 375°F for around 25-30 minutes, the turkey meatballs will be browned on the outside, moist on the inside, and register 165°F.
For a healthy, protein-packed alternative to beef and pork, bake up a batch of flavorful turkey meatballs. They pair deliciously with pasta, rice, on sandwiches, or over salad. Enjoy discovering all the ways baked turkey meatballs can add easy nutrition to your meals!
Bonus Turkey Meatball Tips
Here are some additional tips for making and serving fabulous turkey meatballs:
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Seasonings – Use Italian herbs and spices or get creative with Mexican, Greek, or Thai flavors.
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Binders – Breadcrumbs, oats, or mashed potatoes help hold turkey meatballs together.
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Coatings – For extra flavor and moisture, coat meatballs in barbecue sauce, teriyaki, or other glazes.
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Sides – In addition to pasta, serve turkey meatballs over cauliflower rice or roasted veggies.
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Apps – Make bite-sized turkey meatballs for easy appetizers. Skewer and top with sweet chili sauce.
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Sandwiches – Pile turkey meatballs with melted mozzarella on sub rolls for hearty sandwiches.
With endless possibilities for flavors and serving suggestions, turkey meatballs are a versatile and healthy addition to your dinner rotation.
Ways To Change Up This Meatball Recipe
- You can skip the fresh minced onions and garlic and use onion powder and garlic powder instead. This will make the recipe even easier and faster. You can also substitute dried herbs for the fresh. So simple! I’ve written out the steps for the changes on the recipe for you.
- Make the size you like. Make really large meatballs or really small meatballs. Change the cooking time so that big meatballs take longer and small meatballs take less time. But try to make all the meatballs the same size so they cook all the way through.
- Vary the seasonings if you like. These meatballs are Italian style with basil, oregano, and parsley. Use cumin, chili powder, and oregano for Mexican style meatballs. Add mint, parsley, cinnamon, and oregano to meatballs to make them taste like they came from Greece. Serve them with tzatziki, if you like.
- Non-dairy: Leave out the cheese and use a tablespoon of water instead of milk.
- You don’t like turkey? Try these classic meatballs made with ground beef and pork, or these porcupine meatballs made with ground beef and white rice.
The baked meatballs should be firm and lightly browned. Internal temperature should be at least 165°F.
You’ll find that baking meatballs rather than frying them is much easier. It’s totally hands off once they’re in the oven. The meatballs don’t really have a chance to fall apart because you aren’t moving them around in a frying pan with a spatula or tongs. Once they’re cooked all the way through, they are firm and won’t disintegrate. I like to simmer the sauce separate from the meatballs. Either mix the cooked meatballs carefully into the sauce right before serving, or arrange them on a plate and pour the sauce over them. Both ways are perfect for keeping the meatballs intact.
The beauty of oven baked meatballs is that you don’t have to turn them. So easy! Quite honestly, it’s the only way I make meatballs. If I want to add a little more color and flavor, I sometimes broil the meatballs for a few minutes to brown the tops.
To make something other than dry breadcrumbs or panko, you can use rolled or quick oats (not instant), soft breadcrumbs, crushed crackers, or tortilla chips. It won’t be an even exchange though. This recipe calls for 1/3 cup of panko, which is similar to dry breadcrumbs. This recipe calls for 3/4 cup of oats, 1 cup of soft breadcrumbs, or 1/3 cup of crushed cracker crumbs or tortilla chips if you don’t have breadcrumbs.
Cooking TipIs the mixture sticking to your fingers too much, making it hard to roll? Occasionally dipping your fingertips in a bowl of water will help prevent that from happening.
Bake. Brush or spray the meatballs lightly with olive oil and put them in a preheated oven. Bake for 25 to 28 minutes, or until they’re lightly browned. Enjoy!.
The BEST Baked Turkey Meatballs | LOADED With of Flavor!
FAQ
Is it better to bake meatballs at 350 or 400?
How do you know when ground turkey meatballs are cooked?
What temperature should meatballs be cooked at?