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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.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Lean and Satisfying: Made with ground turkey, these meatballs are a lighter option that still delivers great flavor.
- Easy to Make: Simple ingredients and clear steps make this an easy turkey meatballs recipe you can count on.
- Baked, Not Fried: Cooking turkey meatballs in the oven keeps them tender and makes cleanup easy.
- Ready in 30 Minutes: From prep to oven, these baked turkey meatballs come together quickly.
- Versatile Serving Options: Serve turkey meatballs with pasta, in a sandwich, or on their own with your favorite sauce.
- Perfectly Portioned: This small batch turkey meatballs recipe makes just the right amount for one or two people.
These turkey meatballs are the kind of recipe I like to keep close. The onion, garlic, and Parmesan create a savory base, and baking the meatballs lets everything come together naturally in the oven. It’s the kind of recipe that fits easily into real life, whether you’re cooking dinner for yourself or sharing a simple meal with someone you love.
Enjoy these tender turkey meatballs served over buttered noodles or fluffy white rice, paired with roasted carrots or smashed Brussels sprouts, or tucked into a sandwich with homemade French bread.
They’re also delicious with a variety of sauces, including small batch tomato sauce, small batch pomodoro sauce, small batch Alfredo sauce, spinach pesto, or barbecue sauce, making them easy to enjoy in different ways.
Ingredients
If you have any ingredients leftover from this moist turkey meatballs recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder.
- Ground Turkey: Lean ground turkey forms the base of this recipe. For juicier meatballs, choose 93/7 lean turkey. Extra ground turkey can be used in ground turkey tacos or turkey chili for one.
- Onions, Garlic, and Parsley: 1/2 cup finely chopped onion, 2 cloves minced garlic, and 2-3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley add savory flavor and aroma. Use any extras in chicken paprika for one, mini turkey meatloaf, and baked stuffed fish.
- Parmesan Cheese: Freshly grated Parmesan boosts flavor and helps bind the meatballs.
- Egg: 1 large egg binds the mixture so the meatballs hold their shape while cooking.
- Breadcrumbs: About ½ cup of breadcrumbs help keep the meatballs tender. Use gluten-free breadcrumbs for a gluten-free option.
- Seasonings: Dried basil, oregano, salt, and black pepper add depth. Use Italian seasoning for a well-rounded flavor.
Recipe Variations
These easy turkey meatball variations let you change the flavor with simple ingredient swaps and sauces:
- Cheese-Stuffed Turkey Meatballs: Place a small cube of mozzarella in the center of each meatball before baking for a cheesy center.
- Spicy Turkey Meatballs: Add red pepper flakes or finely diced jalapeño to the mixture for extra heat.
- Italian-Style Turkey Meatballs: Add extra Parmesan and a pinch of Italian seasoning, then serve with tomato sauce.
- BBQ Turkey Meatballs: Brush cooked meatballs with barbecue sauce and bake for a few more minutes until glazed.
- Asian-Style Turkey Meatballs: Toss cooked meatballs in teriyaki or sweet and sour sauce and garnish with green onions.
How To Make Turkey Meatballs
These baked turkey meatballs are easy to make and come together in just a few simple steps. A quick blend of onion, garlic, parsley, and Parmesan builds flavor, while breadcrumbs and egg help keep the meatballs tender. Once mixed with ground turkey, the mixture is shaped and baked until lightly golden and cooked through, giving you juicy, flavorful turkey meatballs with minimal effort.
Expert Tips
- Shape Evenly: Roll the meatballs to the same size so they cook evenly.
- Mix Gently: Stir just until the ingredients are combined to keep the meatballs tender.
- Rest Before Serving: Let the meatballs sit for a few minutes after baking so the juices redistribute.
- Use Lean but Not Extra-Lean Turkey: 93% lean ground turkey gives the best balance of moisture and flavor.
- Line the Baking Sheet: Use parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
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:
For more information on the cooking and baking dishes I use in our “recipes for one”, please visit our FAQ page.
For examples of the dishes used at One Dish Kitchen, please visit our Store page.
If you’ve tried these turkey meatballs or any recipe on One Dish Kitchen please let me know how you liked it by rating the recipe and telling me about it in the comment section below.
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Get a Quick Recipe Overview
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 the oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Add the onion, garlic, parsley, and Parmesan to a food processor. Pulse until very finely chopped.
- Transfer the mixture to a bowl. Add the egg and breadcrumbs and mix well.
- Stir in the salt, pepper, basil, and oregano.
- Gently mix in the ground turkey just until combined.
- Lightly wet your hands and shape the mixture into 5 meatballs.
- Place the meatballs on a baking sheet and bake for 20 minutes, or until cooked through and lightly golden.
Notes
- Shape Evenly: Roll the meatballs to the same size so they cook evenly.
- Mix Gently: Stir just until the ingredients are combined to keep the meatballs tender.
- Rest Before Serving: Let the meatballs sit for a few minutes after baking so the juices redistribute.
- Use Lean but Not Extra-Lean Turkey: 93% lean ground turkey gives the best balance of moisture and flavor.
- Line the Baking Sheet: Use parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
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!