Description
Juicy turkey meatballs in marinara sauce bring Mediterranean comfort to dinner tables with rich, aromatic flavors. Hearty ingredients blend seamlessly, offering a lighter alternative to classic beef meatballs that you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 pound ground turkey
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Dry Ingredients and Seasonings:
- ½ cup breadcrumbs (preferably Italian seasoned)
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Fresh Herbs and Aromatics:
- ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the oven environment by heating to 400°F, ensuring a consistent cooking temperature for optimal meatball preparation.
- Combine ground turkey with breadcrumbs, Parmesan, parsley, egg, garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper in a large mixing bowl, blending ingredients thoroughly with hands or utensil.
- Create uniform meatballs by gently rolling mixture into compact spheres approximately 1-1.5 inches in diameter, placing each carefully on parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Roast meatballs in preheated oven for 20 minutes, monitoring until exterior turns golden brown and interior reaches complete doneness.
- Spread marinara sauce evenly across baking dish, creating a flavorful foundation for the upcoming protein addition.
- Transfer freshly baked meatballs from sheet directly into marinara-coated dish, positioning them strategically for maximum sauce absorption.
- Distribute shredded mozzarella generously over meatballs, ensuring comprehensive cheese coverage for enhanced melting potential.
- Return dish to oven, baking additional 10 minutes until cheese transforms into bubbling, golden landscape.
- Allow brief cooling period after removing from oven, then garnish with fresh parsley for vibrant presentation and serve immediately while temperature and flavors remain optimal.
Notes
- Choose lean ground turkey for a healthier protein option that keeps the meatballs moist and flavorful without excess fat.
- Mix ingredients gently to prevent dense, tough meatballs; overmixing can make the texture rubbery and less enjoyable.
- Use a cookie scoop or small ice cream scoop to create uniform meatballs that cook evenly and look professionally prepared.
- Swap breadcrumbs with gluten-free alternatives like almond flour or crushed gluten-free crackers for those with dietary restrictions.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 335
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 610 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg