Description
Comforting Italian-style “Turkey Meatballs” bring Mediterranean warmth to dinner tables with lean protein and rich herbs. Succulent meatballs drizzled with marinara sauce invite hungry diners to savor each hearty, satisfying bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Protein:
- 1 pound (lb) ground turkey
- 1 large egg
Herbs, Spices, and Seasonings:
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Binding and Additional Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (1 stick)
- Zest and juice of 1 lemon
- Lemon slices for garnish
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and lightly grease a baking dish to prevent meatballs from sticking.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine ground turkey, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, parsley, egg, garlic, onion powder, salt, black pepper, oregano, and thyme. Mix thoroughly until ingredients are evenly distributed.
- Roll the meat mixture into uniform balls approximately 1.5 inches in diameter, placing them carefully and evenly in the prepared baking dish.
- Transfer the baking dish to the preheated oven and bake for 20 minutes, ensuring meatballs are golden brown and fully cooked through.
- During baking, create the lemon garlic butter sauce by melting butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté briefly until fragrant, approximately 1 minute.
- Incorporate lemon juice and zest into the butter mixture, seasoning with salt and pepper to enhance the flavor profile.
- Once meatballs are cooked, pour the lemon garlic butter sauce over them, allowing the sauce to coat and penetrate the meat.
- Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and lemon slices for additional visual appeal and flavor complexity.
- Serve immediately while warm, pairing with pasta, rice, or steamed vegetables for a complete meal.
Notes
- Meat Moisture Tip: Avoid overmixing the ground turkey to prevent tough, dense meatballs by gently combining ingredients just until they’re incorporated.
- Baking Surface Trick: Use parchment paper or a silicone baking mat for easier cleanup and to prevent sticking without extra grease.
- Gluten-Free Adaptation: Swap breadcrumbs with almond flour or gluten-free breadcrumbs to make the recipe celiac-friendly and equally delicious.
- Flavor Boost: For extra depth, toast the minced garlic briefly before adding to the butter sauce to enhance its nutty, aromatic qualities.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 405
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 19 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg