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Turkey meatballs can be enjoyed over rice, mashed potatoes, or pasta for a flavor-packed weeknight dinner in minutes!
baked turkey meatballs
Dinnertime just got easier! These flavorful turkey meatballs are a healthy and versatile main dish option that are packed with protein and ready in just 30 minutes.
We love these meatballs on their own or served over Instant Pot Brown Rice, Best Mashed Potatoes, or our favorite pasta.
These turkey meatballs are a fantastic lean alternative to ground beef, making this a guilt-free comfort food win!
WHY WE LOVE IT:
- Healthy & lighter. Compared to traditional beef meatballs, turkey meatballs are a leaner option with less fat. This makes them perfect for those watching calories or fat intake, without sacrificing flavor.
- Customizable. They can be enjoyed in a variety of dishes like Spaghetti and meatballs, meatball subs, appetizer meatballs with dipping sauce, or even soups.
- Moist & delicious. When made correctly, turkey meatballs can be just as moist and flavorful as their beef counterparts.
Ingredients
PREP TIME: 10 minutes
COOK TIME: 18 minutes
- 1 pound ground turkey – or ground chicken
- ½ cup Italian breadcrumbs
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic salt (with parsley flakes) – or use ½ teaspoon of minced garlic cloves
- 1 teaspoon Italian Seasoning
- ¼ cup milk
- 1 whole egg, beaten
How to Make Turkey Meatballs
- PREP. Preheat oven to 375°F Use cooking spray to spray a large cookie sheet.
- COMBINE. In a large mixing bowl combine 1 pound ground turkey, ½ cup Italian bread crumbs, ½ cup Parmesan cheese, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon garlic salt, and 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning. Then add ¼ cup milk and 1 egg. Mix until just combined making sure not to over-mix.
- BAKE. Divide the mixture into 15 balls. A cookie scoop could help with this. (They’ll be just under ¼ cup each.) Place them on the greased baking sheet, or line the sheet with parchment paper.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes. A meat thermometer should read 165°F.
- ENJOY! Serve with your favorite meatball dinner such as pasta and Homemade Marinara Sauce.
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Turkey Meatballs
Turkey meatballs can be enjoyed over rice, mashed potatoes, or pasta for a flavor-packed weeknight dinner in minutes!
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground turkey
- ½ cup Italian bread Crumbs
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic salt (with parsley flakes)
- 1 teaspoon Italian Seasoning
- ¼ cup milk
- 1 egg, beaten
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F Use cooking spray to spray a large cookie sheet.
- In a large bowl, mix turkey, bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese, onion powder, garlic salt, and Italian seasoning. Then add the milk and egg. Mix until combined.
- Divide the mixture into 15 balls. (They'll be just under ¼ cup each.) Place them on the greased cookie sheet.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes. A meat thermometer would read 165°F.
- Serve with your favorite meatball dinner, such as pasta and marinara sauce.
Video
Nutrition
Calories: 70kcal, Carbohydrates: 3g, Protein: 9g, Fat: 2g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 30mg, Sodium: 283mg, Potassium: 111mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 1g, Vitamin A: 64IU, Vitamin C: 1mg, Calcium: 56mg, Iron: 1mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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Recipe FAQ
Do I Need to Brown Turkey Meatballs in a Skillet First?
- Nope! Baking the meatballs in the oven will create the crust needed to hold the meatballs together.
Can I Add Extra Seasonings?
- Do not add too many mix-ins or the meatballs will not bind properly.
- Fresh herbs – chop some fresh oregano, fresh parsley, or fresh basil.
- Sprinkle in salt, black pepper, or red pepper flakes.
Freeze Ahead of time?
- For easy meal prep, make them ahead of time, freeze, and then pop a few in the oven whenever you want meatballs. Perfect for kid lunches or a last-minute dinner!
- Put your meatballs on the cookie sheet, cover with plastic wrap, and put them in the freezer for about 30 minutes. After 30 minutes transfer the meatballs to a freezer-safe plastic bag. Freeze until ready to cook!
How to Store Turkey MeatballS?
- Store in an airtight container for 2-3 days in the fridge or 3 months in the freezer.
Reheat Meatballs Without Drying Them Out?
- Adding the meatballs to a sauce will allow them to heat up without drying out.
- Place the meatballs in a microwave-safe dish with a splash of water, chicken broth, or even a drizzle of olive oil. Cover the dish with a lid or a piece of damp paper towel. Microwave 20-30 seconds at a time, checking and rotating the meatballs frequently.
These are so easy and delicious! My grand-daughter loves them so I sometimes double the recipe so I have them ready in the freezer when she comes to visit. Easier than other recipes I have tried and just as good… or better… without all the extra work! I put them in a pot on stove top with jarred marinara sauce and simmer for a bit before serving with pasta. Voila! Delicious, easy meal.
I’m so happy to hear the meatballs are a hit, especially with your granddaughter too. They sound delicious with marinara and pasta. Yum!! Thanks for sharing what you do.
I TRY TO ALWAYS DOUBLE MY RECIPES AND FREEZE AS MUCH AS I CAN FOR LATER. so Thanks for always including storage info.
A healthier version of the regular meatball without sacrificing taste.
I made these last night with mashed potatoes and a big salad and my family is already asking when we can have it again!
These are great meatballs that you can have without feeling any guilt. I served them to my family and they were a hit.
Such great meatballs. I loved the parmesan cheese in them!
I love baked recipes and your recipe is amazing! My whole family loved them. Thank you!
I can’t wait to try this recipe! These turkey meatballs look and sound incredibly delicious!!
These would make a great appetizer on Thanksgiving!! Super tasty & easy to make!
Can’t wait to try this recipe!! I have never tried turkey meatballs. Thank you for sharing!
You are so welcome!! I hope you like them!