Turkey Meatballs Recipe
Turkey meatballs are a lighter alternative to classic meatballs made with lean ground turkey, herbs, breadcrumbs, and Parmesan.
Ingredients
For the Baked Turkey Meatballs
- ⅓ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ⅓ cup Italian-seasoned breadcrumbs whole wheat if possible
- 3 tablespoons finely chopped fresh herbs basil, parsley, or chives
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes optional
- 1 pound 93% lean ground turkey
- 1 large egg
- 1 ½ tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
For Serving
- Prepared pasta sauce
- Cooked whole wheat pasta or zucchini noodles
- Creamy polenta
- Split and toasted hoagie buns
- Prepared brown rice
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil and coat with nonstick spray.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine Parmesan cheese, breadcrumbs, chopped herbs, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, black pepper, and red pepper flakes.
- Add the ground turkey to the bowl.
- In a separate small bowl, beat the egg. Add it to the turkey mixture.
- Using a fork or your hands, gently mix until just combined. Avoid overmixing so the meatballs stay tender.
- Scoop and shape the mixture into 1½-inch meatballs and place them on the prepared baking sheet. You should have about 20 meatballs.
- Lightly brush the tops with olive oil.
- Bake for about 15 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
- While baking, warm your pasta sauce and prepare any sides.
- Serve the Turkey Meatballs Recipe hot with sauce, extra Parmesan cheese, and fresh herbs.
Notes
These meatballs work wonderfully in many dishes. Try serving them with marinara over pasta, tucked into a toasted hoagie roll for a meatball sandwich, or over brown rice for a simple bowl meal.