Turkey Meatballs Recipe
Turkey Meatballs Recipe
Table of Contents
Turkey Meatballs Recipe
These juicy and flavorful turkey meatballs recipe are baked in the oven, making them a healthier alternative to traditional fried meatballs. Perfect for meal prep, serving over pasta, or as a savory appetizer, this turkey meatballs recipe oven is easy to prepare and can be customized with your favorite seasonings. Whether you’re looking for a family friendly dinner or a crowd pleasing appetizer, this recipe is sure to become a staple in your kitchen.
Description
Looking for a healthy and delicious alternative to classic meatballs? This Turkey Meatballs Recipe Oven is the answer! Baked in the oven for a lighter yet flavorful meal, these turkey meatballs are packed with lean protein and make a perfect dinner or snack. Unlike fried meatballs, oven baked turkey meatballs recipe are simple to make and have a satisfying texture without the excess oil.
Turkey is a great choice for a healthier meatball, providing lean protein without sacrificing flavor. Combined with breadcrumbs, eggs, Parmesan cheese, and a blend of herbs and spices, these meatballs are juicy, tender, and packed with savory goodness.
The best part? These meatballs are incredibly versatile. You can serve them with marinara sauce over spaghetti, in a sub sandwich with melted cheese, or even as a protein packed snack. Plus, they freeze beautifully, making them a great meal prep option.
To make sure yourturkey meatballs recipe are perfectly cooked, baking them in the oven helps retain moisture and ensures they cook evenly. You’ll love the ease of this recipe, as it requires minimal hands on time just mix, roll, and bake!
Whether you’re new to cooking with turkey or a seasoned pro, this oven baked turkey meatball recipe is an easy way to get dinner on the table quickly. Serve them alongside a fresh green salad, steamed vegetables, or in a wrap for a quick and satisfying meal.
In this recipe, I’ve included tips on how to customize the flavor and texture of your meatballs to suit your preferences. You can easily make theseturkey meatballs recipe spicier by adding red pepper flakes or use gluten free breadcrumbs for a healthier option. You’ll also find suggestions on what to serve these meatballs with, making them an ideal dish for any occasion.
Ingredients:
- 1 lb ground turkey (lean, 93% or higher)
- 1/4 cup breadcrumbs (or gluten free breadcrumbs)
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 large egg
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley (optional)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (for greasing the baking sheet)
- Marinara sauce (optional, for serving)
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it with olive oil to prevent the meatballs from sticking.
- Prepare the meatball mixture: In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground turkey, breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, egg, minced garlic, oregano, basil, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using). Mix everything together until the ingredients are well combined. You can use your hands for this or a spoon to ensure an even mixture.
- Shape the meatballs: Using your hands, scoop out small portions of the mixture and roll them into balls, about 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter. You should get around 18 to 20 meatballs, depending on the size. Place the meatballs on the prepared baking sheet, spaced evenly apart.
- Bake the meatballs: Place the meatballs in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until they are cooked through and golden brown on the outside. You can check for doneness by inserting a meat thermometer into the center of a meatball— it should read 165°F (74°C).
- Serve: Once cooked, remove the meatballs from the oven. Serve them with marinara sauce over pasta, on a sub roll with melted cheese, or as an appetizer with a side of dipping sauce. Garnish with chopped parsley if desired for a fresh, green touch.
Notes:
- Customizations: Feel free to experiment with the seasonings in this recipe. Add a little grated onion for extra moisture or switch out the herbs for Italian seasoning. You can also use ground chicken instead of turkey for a slightly different flavor.
- Freezing: These turkey meatballs freeze beautifully. Once baked and cooled, store them in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 3 months. To reheat, bake them at 350°F (175°C) for about 15-20 minutes or until warmed through.
- Gluten Free Option: Use gluten free breadcrumbs or almond flour as a substitute for regular breadcrumbs to make this recipe gluten free.
- Spicy Kick: For a spicier flavor, increase the amount of red pepper flakes or add finely chopped fresh jalapeños to the meatball mixture.
- Serving Suggestions: These turkey meatballs are perfect with a side of roasted vegetables, over zoodles (zucchini noodles), or as part of a meatball sub with melted mozzarella cheese.
Turkey Meatballs Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground turkey lean, 93% or higher
- 1/4 cup breadcrumbs or gluten free breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 large egg
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes optional
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley optional
- 1 tablespoon olive oil for greasing the baking sheet
- Marinara sauce optional, for serving
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it with olive oil to prevent the meatballs from sticking.
- Prepare the meatball mixture: In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground turkey, breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, egg, minced garlic, oregano, basil, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using). Mix everything together until the ingredients are well combined. You can use your hands for this or a spoon to ensure an even mixture.
- Shape the meatballs: Using your hands, scoop out small portions of the mixture and roll them into balls, about 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter. You should get around 18 to 20 meatballs, depending on the size. Place the meatballs on the prepared baking sheet, spaced evenly apart.
- Bake the meatballs: Place the meatballs in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until they are cooked through and golden brown on the outside. You can check for doneness by inserting a meat thermometer into the center of a meatball— it should read 165°F (74°C).
- Serve: Once cooked, remove the meatballs from the oven. Serve them with marinara sauce over pasta, on a sub roll with melted cheese, or as an appetizer with a side of dipping sauce. Garnish with chopped parsley if desired for a fresh, green touch.
Notes
- Customizations: Feel free to experiment with the seasonings in this recipe. Add a little grated onion for extra moisture or switch out the herbs for Italian seasoning. You can also use ground chicken instead of turkey for a slightly different flavor.
- Freezing: These turkey meatballs freeze beautifully. Once baked and cooled, store them in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 3 months. To reheat, bake them at 350°F (175°C) for about 15-20 minutes or until warmed through.
- Gluten Free Option: Use gluten free breadcrumbs or almond flour as a substitute for regular breadcrumbs to make this recipe gluten free.
- Spicy Kick: For a spicier flavor, increase the amount of red pepper flakes or add finely chopped fresh jalapeños to the meatball mixture.
- Serving Suggestions: These turkey meatballs are perfect with a side of roasted vegetables, over zoodles (zucchini noodles), or as part of a meatball sub with melted mozzarella cheese.
