Baked Turkey Quinoa Meatballs

Elevate your weeknight dinners with these irresistible Baked Turkey Quinoa Meatballs—a wholesome and flavorful twist on the classic comfort food. Combining lean ground turkey, protein-packed quinoa, and a medley of fresh herbs and spices like parsley, oregano, and garlic, these meatballs are as healthy as they are delicious. Baked to golden perfection in just 20 minutes, they’re lighter than traditional fried meatballs yet remain juicy and tender, thanks to the addition of grated Parmesan and a perfectly balanced blend of ingredients. Serve them with marinara sauce, over pasta, or tucked into a sub for a satisfying, versatile meal. Perfect for meal prep and made with simple pantry staples, these gluten-friendly meatballs (just swap regular breadcrumbs with gluten-free ones) are sure to become a family favorite!

Nutriscore Rating: 70/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:20 mins

Total Time:35 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 lb Ground turkey (lean, 93% lean preferred)
• 1 cup Cooked quinoa
• 0.5 cup Breadcrumbs (whole wheat or regular)
• 1 large Egg
• 0.25 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• 2 cloves Garlic, minced
• 2 tbsp Fresh parsley, chopped
• 0.5 tsp Onion powder
• 0.5 tsp Dried oregano
• 0.5 tsp Salt
• 0.25 tsp Black pepper
• 1 tbsp Olive oil (for greasing the baking sheet)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it with olive oil to prevent sticking.

Step 2

In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground turkey, cooked quinoa, breadcrumbs, egg, Parmesan cheese, minced garlic, parsley, onion powder, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper.

Step 3

Using clean hands or a large spoon, mix the ingredients together until well combined, but do not overmix as this can make the meatballs dense.

Step 4

Scoop out small portions of the mixture (about 1 1/2 tablespoons) and roll them into balls. Place the meatballs evenly spaced on the prepared baking sheet.

Step 5

Bake in the preheated oven for 18-20 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the meatballs reaches 165°F (74°C) and they are lightly browned on the outside.

Step 6

Once baked, remove the meatballs from the oven and let them rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Step 7

Serve warm with your favorite marinara sauce, pasta, or a side salad. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	746.8 grams (746.8g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1304

Total Fat 67.30g	86%
Saturated Fat 19.70g	99%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.00g
Cholesterol 602mg	201%
Sodium 1989mg	86%
Total Carbohydrate 43.90g	16%
Dietary Fiber 6.00g	21%
Total Sugars 1.90g
Protein 123.40g	247%

Vitamin D 54IU	269%
Calcium 386mg	30%
Iron 10mg	56%
Potassium 1640mg	35%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 47.5%

Protein: 38.7%

Carbs: 13.8%