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Turkey meatballs are a fantastic, leaner alternative to the traditional beef or pork versions. This Small Batch Turkey Meatballs recipe combines ground turkey with a perfect blend of spices and breadcrumbs, creating small, flavorful spheres that are both nutritious and delicious. They’re versatile, easy to make, and cook in just 20 minutes, making them perfect for quick, satisfying meals.
Enjoy these tender turkey meatballs over buttered noodles, atop fluffy rice, with roasted carrots or brussels sprouts, or tucked into a sandwich with fresh French bread.
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Why You’ll Love This Turkey Meatballs Recipe
- Healthier Option: Made with ground turkey, these meatballs are a leaner choice.
- Quick and Easy: With a prep and cook time of just 30 minutes, turkey meatballs are a breeze to make.
- Versatile: Serve them with pasta, in sandwiches, or as appetizers – they’re perfect for any meal.
- Flavorful: Seasoned to perfection, they’re brimming with flavor.
- Perfect for Small Batches: Ideal for one or two people, avoiding food waste.
Ingredients
If you have any ingredients leftover from this turkey meatballs recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder.
- Onions, Garlic, and Parsley: Incorporate 1/2 cup of finely chopped onions (about 1/4 of a small onion), 2 cloves of minced garlic, and a handful of fresh parsley for a burst of fresh flavor. These three ingredients can also be found in our Chicken Paprika, mini Turkey Meatloaf, and Baked Stuffed Fish.
- Parmesan Cheese: Freshly grated Parmesan not only enhances flavor but also acts as an excellent binder for the meatballs.
- Egg: One egg is crucial for binding the ingredients, ensuring the meatballs stay intact while cooking.
- Breadcrumbs: Use either store-bought or homemade breadcrumbs. For a gluten-free alternative, almond meal or gluten-free breadcrumbs are perfect substitutes.
- Seasonings: A combination of dried basil, oregano, salt, and black pepper adds depth. Adjust these to taste, or use Italian seasoning for a well-rounded herbal profile.
- Ground Turkey: Lean and mild in flavor, ground turkey is the base of this recipe. Leftover ground turkey can be used in Turkey Tacos or Turkey Chili. Ground chicken or a mix of lean meats can be used as substitutes for varied flavors.
Recipe Variations
Explore the versatility of turkey meatballs with these enticing variations:
- Cheese-Stuffed Meatballs: Add a cube of mozzarella inside each meatball for a gooey, cheesy surprise.
- Spicy Meatballs: Mix in some red pepper flakes or diced jalapeños for added heat.
- Herb-Infused Meatballs: Incorporate fresh herbs like rosemary or thyme for a fragrant twist.
- BBQ Meatballs: Coat the meatballs in BBQ sauce for a smoky, tangy flavor.
- Asian-Inspired Meatballs: Glaze with teriyaki or sweet and sour sauce for an East Asian touch.
Expert Tips
- Even Cooking: Roll the meatballs to a uniform size for consistent cooking.
- Don’t Overmix: Mix the ingredients until just combined to keep the meatballs tender.
- Resting: Let them rest for a few minutes after baking for better texture and flavor.
Serving Ideas For Turkey Meatballs: Delicious Sauce Pairings
Turkey meatballs are a wonderfully adaptable dish, pairing beautifully with a range of sauces to suit different preferences. Here are some sauce pairing ideas to elevate your turkey meatballs:
- Classic Tomato Sauce: A traditional choice that brings a familiar, comforting taste. The acidity and sweetness of the tomato sauce complement the mild flavor of the turkey perfectly.
- Rich Pomodoro Sauce: Similar to regular tomato sauce, pomodoro offers a robust and hearty option, ideal for a more rustic meal.
- Creamy Alfredo Sauce: For a luxurious twist, pair your meatballs with alfredo sauce. Its creamy texture and rich flavor make it a decadent choice.
- Tangy BBQ Sauce: If you’re in the mood for something with a bit of a kick, BBQ sauce adds a smoky and tangy element that works surprisingly well with turkey meatballs.
- Flavorful Pesto: For a herby and nutty profile, pesto is an excellent choice. Its vibrant green color and fresh taste offer a lighter yet flavorful pairing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The meatballs usually take around 20 minutes to bake. Check to see if they are cooked through after 15 minutes because oven temperatures vary. You will know the meatballs are done when a thermometer inserted into the center of a meatball registers 165 degrees F.
Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Arrange the meatballs in a single layer on a baking sheet with a little space between each one and freeze until solid. Transfer the meatballs to a freezer bag or container, date and freeze for up to 2 months.
Yes, after baking you can simmer them in your favorite sauce to infuse extra flavor.
Ways To Use Leftover Ingredients
If you have any ingredients leftover from this turkey meatballs recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder or you might like to consider using them in any of these single serving and small batch recipes:
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Small Batch Turkey Meatballs
Ingredients
- ½ cup chopped onions
- 2 cloves garlic , minced
- ¼ cup chopped parsley leaves
- ¼ cup shredded Parmesan cheese
- 1 large egg , lightly beaten
- ¼ cup seasoned bread crumbs
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon dried basil
- ¼ teaspoon dried oregano
- 8 ounces ground turkey
Instructions
- Heat oven to 400° F (200° C).
- Place the onions, garlic, parsley and Parmesan in the base of a food processor. Pulse until mixture is very finely chopped.
- Transfer the vegetable mixture to a large bowl.
- Add the egg and the breadcrumbs and mix well
- Stir in the salt, pepper, basil and oregano.
- Mix in the ground turkey.
- Dampen your hands with water and shape the meat mixture into 5 balls.
- Arrange the meatballs on a baking sheet and bake for 20 minutes or until golden and cooked through.
Notes
- Even Cooking: Roll the meatballs to a uniform size for consistent cooking.
- Don’t Overmix: Mix the ingredients until just combined to keep the meatballs tender.
- Resting: Let them rest for a few minutes after baking for better texture and flavor.
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
These meatballs exceeded all of my expectations. Juicy, slightly soft and hands down delicious! They make a fabulous sub sandwich.
Hi Joanie,
What lean to fat ratio do you prefer for these turkey meatballs? I have used 90/10 and 85/15 turkey for other dishes but am unsure what to use here.
Thank you,
Donna
Donna, I like using ground turkey that is 90% or 93% lean.
Thank you, I bought 94/6 today so I will give it a shot. I’m commenting now as Donna Pat. I have made 3 of your recipes just this week. They won’t be the last. Thank you and I will post reviews on what I did make.
made 1/2 recipe with beef (what i had). so delish with a fresh tomato passata. perfect for the first cool day in a while. love your IG!
Thank you. I’m so glad you enjoyed the recipe.
What is the oven temperature for this recipe? I didn’t see one in the printable recipe or in the blog post. I assume 350 but maybe 400? Thanks!
Hi Leslie, So sorry about that. The oven temperature should be 400 degrees. I’ve added it to the recipe, thanks so much for catching that I left it off.
Oh thanks! I did bake mine at 350 and they were fine. Hah! (Also, very delicious! I used ground beef and didnt have any parsley but they still turned out really yummy.)
Good recipe.
These turkey meatballs are so yummy! I love that it’s such a small recipe, perfect for when I meal prep my lunches.
These sound delicious. Will ground chicken work? Thanks!
Yes.
I am loving this! Pasta and meatballs is my favorite meal but I always make such a huge batch, I love that this serves 1!
These meatballs are perfect! It can sometimes be hard to get turkey meatballs to stay moist, but this recipe is fantastic!
YUM!! These are SO good!
I'm sometimes wary of turkey meatballs but these ones look moist and delicious! I would love a plate of these right now!