Turkey Meatballs in Tomato Sauce
Ingredients
- ½ cgrated parmesan cheese
more for serving, if desired
- ½ cpanko or other plain dried bread crumbs
- ¼ cminced onion
- ¼ cchopped chives or basil
- 2garlic cloves
grated on a microplane or minced
- 1 ½ tspkosher salt
- ½ tspblack pepper
- ½ tspdried oregano
- red pepper flakes
optional
- 1 ½ lbground turkey
very cold
- 1 largeegg
beaten
- 3 tbspextra-virgin olive oil
more as needed
- 3 cmarinara sauce
Directions
- 1
In a large bowl, combine cheese, bread crumbs, onion, chives, garlic, salt, pepper, oregano and red pepper flakes, if using, and mix well. Add turkey and egg and blend with your hands until well mixed. If you’ve got time, cover mixture and chill for an hour or up to 24 hours. These are easiest to form into balls while very cold. Form into 28 meatballs, each about 1 1/4-inches in diameter.
- 2
Heat 2 tablespoons of the oil in a large sauté pan. When hot, add enough of the meatballs to fit in one layer without crowding, and brown on all sides, 5 to 8 minutes. Transfer to a plate, add another tablespoon of oil to pan and brown another layer of meatballs, transferring them to the plate as they brown. Repeat until all meatballs are browned, adding more oil to the pan as needed.
- 3
When meatballs are all browned, add marinara sauce to pan and bring to a simmer, scraping up the browned bits on the pan bottom. Return meatballs and their juices to pan, shake pan to cover the meatballs with sauce, and lower heat. Partly cover pan and simmer until the meatballs are cooked through, 15 to 20 minutes.
- 4
Serve hot, drizzled with more olive oil and sprinkled with more cheese, if you like.
Turkey Meatballs in Tomato Sauce
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About this Recipe
Craving a comforting, classic meal that feels both familiar and refreshingly light? These Turkey Meatballs in Tomato Sauce deliver on all fronts, offering tender, flavorful meatballs simmered in a rich marinara that's perfect for any night of the week.
Why This Recipe Works
What sets these meatballs apart is the strategic use of ground turkey, particularly dark meat turkey, which provides a deeper, richer flavor than standard white meat. Coupled with a generous amount of grated Parmesan cheese, minced onion, and fresh herbs like chives or basil, you get incredibly savory and moist meatballs. The Panko bread crumbs contribute to a tender texture that perfectly soaks up the accompanying tomato sauce.
Prepare for a hearty, satisfying meal where each bite bursts with savory turkey, tangy tomato, and a hint of Parmesan. The meatballs are delightfully tender, enveloped in a warm, inviting marinara sauce that makes you want to cozy up. This dish feels like a classic Italian-American comfort food, yet it’s a fresh take on the traditional beef or pork versions, making it accessible and enjoyable for everyone.
Customization & Variations
Personalize your Turkey Meatballs by swapping chives for fresh basil, or incorporating red pepper flakes into the mixture for a subtle kick. While the recipe highlights dark meat ground turkey, you can still make this delicious dish with white meat if that's what you have on hand. For serving, these meatballs are wonderfully versatile:
- Serve over your favorite spaghetti or other pasta.
- Nestle them atop creamy polenta for a luxurious dinner.
- Stuff them into a hero roll with extra marinara for an unforgettable sandwich.
These Turkey Meatballs in Tomato Sauce are ideal for a cozy family dinner, a casual lunch, or even as an impressive main course for a gathering. They are especially fitting for game day feasts, offering a crowd-pleasing option beyond typical appetizers.