Description
Delicious and healthy Italian Turkey Meatballs simmered in a rich tomato sauce, perfect for a comforting meal served over pasta or with whole wheat bread. Lean ground turkey breast is combined with herbs, cheese, and whole wheat breadcrumbs to make tender meatballs that can be browned or cooked directly in the flavorful sauce.
Ingredients
Scale
Meatballs Ingredients
- 20 oz (1.3 lb) ground turkey breast, 93% lean
- 1/4 cup whole wheat seasoned breadcrumbs (or gluten-free crumbs)
- 1/4 cup Pecorino or Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup parsley, finely chopped
- 1 egg
- 1 large clove garlic, crushed
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- Fresh pepper, to taste
Sauce Ingredients
- 2 tsp olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, smashed
- 2 (28 oz) cans crushed tomatoes (Tuttorosso recommended)
- 1/2 small onion, cut in half but not chopped
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/4 cup fresh chopped basil
- Salt and fresh pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the sauce: In a medium-sized pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the smashed garlic cloves and sauté until golden, making sure not to burn them. Stir in the crushed tomatoes, half onion, salt, pepper, dried oregano, fresh basil, and bay leaf. Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let the sauce simmer gently for 5 to 10 minutes to blend the flavors.
- Make the meatballs: While the sauce simmers, combine ground turkey, whole wheat breadcrumbs, crushed garlic clove, egg, chopped parsley, Pecorino or Parmesan cheese, kosher salt, and fresh pepper in a large bowl. Using wet hands, mix thoroughly until all ingredients are well incorporated. Shape the mixture into small meatballs about the size of a ping pong ball (approximately 1/8 cup each).
- Brown the meatballs (optional): If desired, brown the meatballs before adding them to the sauce for extra color and flavor. You can either brown them in a skillet over medium heat or place them on a sheet pan and broil until the tops turn golden, about 7 to 8 minutes. Alternatively, you can skip this step and add meatballs directly to the sauce.
- Cook the meatballs in sauce: Gently add the meatballs to the simmering tomato sauce. Cover and cook on low heat for about 20 minutes until the meatballs are fully cooked through. Discard the bay leaf and the onion halves before serving.
- Serve: Serve the Italian turkey meatballs hot over cooked pasta or alongside whole wheat Italian bread for a hearty and satisfying meal.
Notes
- You can use 99% lean turkey for a leaner option; however, the meatballs will be drier.
- Browning the meatballs before cooking in sauce adds extra flavor but is optional.
- Use wet hands when mixing and forming meatballs to prevent sticking.
- Fresh herbs like basil and parsley enhance the flavor; dried herbs can be substituted if fresh are unavailable.
- This dish pairs wonderfully with whole wheat pasta or rustic Italian bread.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4 meatballs with sauce
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Sugar: 10.5 g
- Sodium: 997 mg
- Fat: 11.5 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 25.5 g
- Cholesterol: 104 mg
