Meatballs are always a crowd pleaser. These Italian Turkey Meatballs happily wallow in a pan of easy, homemade tomato sauce. Healthy comfort food at its best!.
These Italian turkey meatballs earn me more hugs than almost any other meal. No matter how much older my boys get, meatballs are always a perennial favorite. And who can blame them?! Its comfort food that never gets old.
Meatballs happen in all forms around here. People have been asking for Teriyaki Turkey Meatballs for birthday dinners for a long time. Honey Garlic Turkey Meatballs are a favorite during the week, and Salmon Meatballs with a Creamy Avocado Sauce are what made my boys love salmon. Theres just something magical about meatballs. Most of the time, when I make meatballs, I roll them into small pieces that I can eat in one or two bites. But these. these are serious meatballs. For light eaters, one meatball will probably suffice, two meatballs for heartier eaters. They bake in about 20 minutes, which gives you just enough time to whip up the tomato sauce.
Italian turkey meatballs are a delicious way to put a healthier spin on a classic comfort food. This protein-packed dish is easy to make, freezer-friendly, and sure to become a new family favorite
Why Make Turkey Meatballs?
Turkey meatballs have quite a few advantages over traditional beef and pork varieties
-
Lower in fat and calories – Using lean ground turkey breast instead of higher fat meats like beef and pork slashes the calories and fat in each serving.
-
More protein per serving – Ground turkey packs in more protein ounce for ounce compared to fattier cuts of meat. More protein means more muscle-building nutrients.
-
Easier to digest – The high fat content in beef and pork can be hard on some stomachs. The lower fat turkey is gentler on digestion.
-
Kid-friendly flavor – Picky kids seem to love meatballs! Turkey offers a more subtle, mild flavor that kids tend to enjoy.
-
Budget-friendly – Ground turkey is very affordable, making these meatballs cost effective for family meals.
How to Make Juicy, Flavorful Turkey Meatballs
The two biggest complaints about turkey meatballs are that they can turn out dry and bland. However, there are a few simple tricks to make sure your turkey meatballs end up super moist and packed with Italian flavor:
-
Use breadcrumbs. Adding a 1/4 cup of dried breadcrumbs per pound of turkey absorbs moisture as the meatballs cook, ensuring a juicy interior.
-
Add an egg. Eggs act as a binder to keep the meatballs tender. The fats and proteins also help retain moisture.
-
Don’t overmix. Gently mix just until combined to avoid overworking the proteins and making the meatballs dense and tough.
-
Brown properly. Ensure the meatballs develop a nice browned crust on the exterior by rolling them gently first in oil or cooking spray. The Maillard reaction adds tons of deep, rich flavor.
-
Simmer in sauce. Placing cooked meatballs in a simple tomato sauce and simmering for just 5 minutes infuses them with even more flavor.
Tips for Making This Italian Turkey Meatball Recipe
Follow these tips and tricks for perfect, crowd-pleasing turkey meatballs every time:
-
Choose 90-93% lean ground turkey for the best balance of fat content and moisture. Extra lean can turn dry and crumbly.
-
Make sure to remove any gristle or sinew from the ground turkey to prevent tough spots.
-
Chop the parsley and onion finely so they blend evenly into the meat mixture.
-
For best flavor, use fresh garlic and herbs instead of powdered varieties whenever possible.
-
Chill the mixture for 20-30 minutes before rolling into balls for easier shaping.
-
Lightly oil your hands to prevent sticking as you roll the meatballs to keep them round and smooth.
-
Bake on a wire rack set over a sheet pan so air can circulate under and around the meatballs as they cook.
-
An internal temperature of 165°F indicates the meatballs are fully cooked through.
-
Let meatballs rest 5 minutes after baking so juices can redistribute through the meatballs.
Serving Suggestions for Italian Turkey Meatballs
Turkey meatballs are extremely versatile. You can serve them in countless ways for all kinds of meals and occasions:
-
Spaghetti and meatballs – The classic! Toss meatballs with tomato sauce and spaghetti.
-
Meatball subs – Load up submarine rolls with sliced meatballs, marinara sauce, and melted mozzarella.
-
Turkey meatball soup – Simmer meatballs in chicken broth with veggies for a hearty, healthy soup.
-
Over zucchini noodles – For lower carb, serve meatballs and tomato sauce with spiralized zucchini instead of pasta.
-
In meatball sandwiches – Sliced meatballs with provolone cheese and sauce on crusty rolls.
-
As an appetizer – Bake mini meatballs and serve with toothpicks for easy finger food.
-
On a pizza – Top homemade or store-bought pizza crust with sauce, meatballs, and cheese for a meaty pizza night.
Simple Marinara Sauce for Meatballs
An easy from-scratch marinara sauce takes these turkey meatballs from great to spectacular. Here’s a quick marinara to complement the meatballs perfectly:
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions:
-
Heat olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and cook 3 minutes until translucent. Add garlic and cook 30 seconds until fragrant.
-
Add crushed tomatoes, basil, oregano, salt, and pepper. Bring to a simmer.
-
Reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until sauce thickens.
-
Add cooked turkey meatballs to sauce and simmer 5 minutes more to absorb flavors.
-
Serve over cooked spaghetti and top with Parmesan cheese.
The Easiest Italian Turkey Meatballs Recipe
Juicy, protein-packed turkey meatballs are a breeze to whip up. This recipe delivers all the Italian flavor you crave using simple pantry staples.
Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground turkey (93% lean)
- 1/4 cup dried breadcrumbs
- 1 egg
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions
-
Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with foil and lightly grease with oil.
-
In a medium bowl, combine turkey, breadcrumbs, egg, parsley, garlic, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Mix gently just until ingredients are incorporated.
-
Form mixture into 1 1/2-inch balls and place on prepared baking sheet. Brush tops lightly with olive oil.
-
Bake for 18-20 minutes until browned on the outside and cooked through (165°F internal temperature).
-
Remove from oven and let rest 5 minutes before serving with your favorite marinara sauce and pasta or in subs.
Now that you know how easy it is to bake up a batch of flavorful Italian turkey meatballs, you may never go back to beef and pork varieties again! This healthier comfort food staple is sure to become a regular menu item. Enjoy!
Meal Prep and Storage
IN THE FRIDGE
The meatballs and sauce can be kept in the fridge for up to three days in a container that doesn’t let air in. Reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave before serving.
HOW TO FREEZE MEATBALLS
- Turkey meatballs freeze well and can stay frozen for up to three months. As the recipe says, bake the meatballs and then let them cool to room temperature. Put them on a baking sheet that has been lined with parchment paper. Then, freeze the whole thing.
- Once the meatballs are frozen, take them off the paper and put them in a freezer bag that can be closed again or an airtight container that can go in the freezer.
- Take out as many meatballs as you need and heat them up in the microwave on HIGH until ready to serve. Add a few drops of water if it looks like they’re drying out while they’re warmer.
Turkey meatballs can also be made with ground beef. I recommend using lean ground beef. This helps to lower the saturated fat grams.
Oats can be used in place of breadcrumbs to bind ground turkey meatballs. If the recipe calls for breadcrumbs that have already been seasoned, make sure to change the seasonings when you use oats instead.
Sure. Substitute the egg with a flax egg. Mix together 1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed meal with 3 tablespoons of water. Let the mixture rest for about 10 minutes, until it because gelatinous. Stir it into the ground turkey mixture along with the other ingredients.
Please let me know if you make this recipe by giving it stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and leaving a comment below the recipe card. Thank you!.
Why make a homemade sauce?
If theres one thing Ive learned over the years, its this. take a few extra minutes to make a homemade sauce to serve with these healthy turkey meatballs.
Freshly sautéed garlic and onion, crushed tomatoes that have been simmered for a long time, and bright fresh herbs make all the difference in the world. Homemade sauce always tastes as though you finished off the meal with a pinch of love.
- GROUND TURKEY: Use 93% lean ground turkey for these meatballs. Some people might be tempted to use extra lean meat (99%) to cut down on the fat even more, but that makes the meatballs dry.
- AROMATICS: Onion and garlic add tons of flavor. Used the box grater’s biggest holes to grate the onion. Grated onion mixes well with ground turkey and doesn’t leave behind any onion chunks.
- Breadcrumbs: Whole wheat breadcrumbs are better for you because they have more fiber, but regular breadcrumbs work just fine too. If you want, you can also use panko breadcrumbs or a gluten-free version of them.
- EGG: One egg for binding. If you don’t want to use eggs, you can use a flax egg instead. Add 3 tablespoons of water to 1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed meal and mix well. You should let the mixture sit for about 10 minutes or until it turns gelatinous. It should be mixed in with the ground turkey and the other ingredients.
- HERBS: Fresh parsley and dried oregano. Be sure to measure the parsley AFTER mincing it.
- THE SAUCE: It’s SO easy to make your own sauce, and the taste is second to none. An onion, garlic, crushed tomatoes from a can, herbs, and red pepper flakes are what you’ll need.
See recipe card below for full ingredients list & recipe directions.
The BEST Baked Turkey Meatballs | LOADED With of Flavor!
FAQ
Why are my turkey meatballs falling apart?
Is it better to fry or bake Italian meatballs?
What is the secret to firm meatballs?