Description
This recipe for baked turkey meatballs offers a healthy and delicious way to enjoy ground turkey, seasoned with garlic, shallots, Parmesan, and Italian herbs, then baked to juicy perfection. Perfect for serving with pasta, in sandwiches, or alongside vegetables and salad.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1/3 cup breadcrumbs gluten-free if needed
- 1/3 cup milk any kind
- 1 lb ground turkey
- 1 small shallot minced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- Black pepper and/or red pepper flakes to taste
- Olive oil for drizzling
Instructions
- Preheat and Prep: Preheat the oven to 425°F and adjust the rack to the top position. Grease a sheet pan with oil to prevent sticking.
- Soak Breadcrumbs: In a large mixing bowl, combine the breadcrumbs and milk. Let them sit for 5-7 minutes until the breadcrumbs absorb the milk and soften. Meanwhile, mince the shallot and garlic and gather the remaining ingredients.
- Mix Ingredients: Add ground turkey, minced shallot, garlic, parmesan cheese, oregano, onion powder, kosher salt, and black/red pepper flakes to the breadcrumb mixture. Mix gently until just combined to avoid tough meatballs.
- Form Meatballs: Using a large cookie scoop or your hands, form the mixture into approximately 16-18 meatballs, each about 1.5 ounces. Wet your hands with water to prevent sticking and pack the meatballs tightly.
- Arrange and Drizzle: Place the meatballs evenly spaced on the prepared sheet pan. Drizzle the tops with olive oil to encourage browning.
- Bake: Bake in the oven on the top rack for 15 minutes or until the meatballs reach an internal temperature of 160°F.
- Serve: Remove from oven and serve as desired, such as with marinara sauce and pasta, in a sandwich, or alongside vegetables and salad.
Notes
- Storage: Store leftover meatballs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Freezing: Freeze baked meatballs on a sheet pan until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag or airtight container. Freeze for up to 3 months.
- Reheating: Reheat frozen meatballs in the oven or air fryer at 400°F until heated through and crispy on the outside.
- Serving Ideas: Toss with marinara sauce and serve with pasta or in a sandwich. They also work well as a healthy dinner over rice with vegetables or alongside a fresh salad and roasted veggies.
- Don’t overmix the meat to keep meatballs tender and juicy.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 220 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg
