Oven Baked Turkey Meatballs
Tender lean turkey meatballs seasoned with Italian herbs, baked at high heat until golden, and served with your favorite marinara sauce.
oven Timer
Set for 20 mins @ 400°F (204°C) (Flip at 10m)
Ingredients
Base recipe calibrated for 4 adults.
Get to the Point Execution
Combine 1.5 lbs ground turkey with 1/3 cup panko, 1/4 cup grated parmesan, 1 beaten egg, 2 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
Roll into 20 golf-ball-sized meatballs and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil.
Bake at 400°F (204°C) for 20 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden and internal temp reads 165°F.
Rest 3 minutes, then serve with warm marinara sauce over pasta or in sub rolls.
Step-by-Step Guided Instructions
In a large bowl, combine 1.5 lbs ground turkey, 1/3 cup panko breadcrumbs, 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese, 1 beaten egg, 2 minced garlic cloves, 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Mix gently with your hands until just combined.
Overmixing makes meatballs dense and tough. Mix until the ingredients are just incorporated and stop.
Lightly oil your hands to prevent sticking. Roll the mixture into about 20 golf-ball-sized meatballs and place them on a parchment-lined rimmed baking sheet with an inch of space between each. Drizzle lightly with olive oil.
Use a small cookie scoop for perfectly uniform meatballs that cook evenly.
Bake at 400°F (204°C) for 20 minutes, flipping halfway through at 10 minutes, until the meatballs are golden brown on the outside and the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
The parmesan and panko create a little crust on the outside that locks in moisture so the lean turkey stays juicy.
Let the meatballs rest on the pan for 3 minutes. Serve with warm marinara sauce over spaghetti, tucked into toasted sub rolls, or on their own with toothpicks as appetizers.
Make a triple batch and freeze the extras on the baking sheet before transferring to bags. Reheat from frozen in 15 minutes.
Turkey meatballs are the stealth healthy dinner. Kids think they are eating regular meatballs and you know they are getting lean protein without all the extra fat. Everybody wins.
Serve with spaghetti and extra marinara for dunking. For picky eaters, skip the garlic and let them dip in ketchup if that is what it takes.
- Spaghetti with marinara
- Steamed green beans
- Garlic bread
Reheat in a 375°F (190°C) oven for 8 to 10 minutes or simmer in marinara sauce on the stovetop until heated through.