Italian Turkey Meatballs

These Italian Turkey Meatballs are a healthier twist on a classic comfort food, packed with bold flavors and simple ingredients. Made with lean ground turkey, fragrant garlic, fresh parsley, and a touch of Parmesan cheese, these meatballs are irresistibly tender and juicy. They’re baked to perfection, then simmered in a robust homemade tomato sauce infused with Italian herbs like basil and oregano. Ready in just 40 minutes, this recipe is perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner or a cozy weekend meal. Serve these savory meatballs atop pasta, tucked into a sandwich, or alongside light zucchini noodles for a delicious and versatile dish that your family will love. Keywords: Italian turkey meatballs, healthy meatball recipe, baked turkey meatballs, easy dinner ideas, homemade tomato sauce.

Nutriscore Rating: 75/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:40 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground turkey
• 0.5 cup breadcrumbs
• 0.25 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 large egg
• 2 tbsp milk
• 2 cloves minced garlic
• 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
• 1 tsp dried Italian seasoning
• 0.5 tsp salt
• 0.25 tsp black pepper
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 28 oz crushed tomatoes (canned)
• 1 tsp dried basil
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp sugar

Directions

Step 1

Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it with oil.

Step 2

In a large bowl, combine ground turkey, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, egg, milk, minced garlic, chopped parsley, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Mix until just combined; do not overmix.

Step 3

Using your hands or a cookie scoop, form the mixture into 1.5-inch meatballs and place them evenly spaced on the prepared baking sheet.

Step 4

Bake the meatballs in the preheated oven for 15 minutes or until they are lightly browned and cooked through (internal temperature should reach 165°F).

Step 5

While the meatballs are baking, heat olive oil in a large skillet or saucepan over medium heat.

Step 6

Add crushed tomatoes, dried basil, oregano, sugar, salt, and pepper to the skillet. Stir to combine, then bring the sauce to a gentle simmer.

Step 7

Once the meatballs are done baking, transfer them to the skillet with the tomato sauce and gently coat them in the sauce. Let them simmer together for 10 minutes to absorb the flavors.

Step 8

Serve the meatballs warm over pasta, zucchini noodles, in a sub sandwich, or with a side of crusty bread. Garnish with additional Parmesan cheese and parsley, if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1454 grams (1454.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1413

Total Fat 65.60g	84%
Saturated Fat 19.30g	97%
Polyunsaturated Fat 3.30g
Cholesterol 564mg	188%
Sodium 3933mg	171%
Total Carbohydrate 98.50g	36%
Dietary Fiber 16.60g	59%
Total Sugars 39.60g
Protein 119.30g	239%

Vitamin D 67IU	334%
Calcium 513mg	39%
Iron 15mg	83%
Potassium 1988mg	42%

*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: 40.4%

Protein: 32.6%

Carbs: 27.0%