Italian Turkey Meatballs with Tomato Sauce
Italian Turkey Meatballs with Tomato Sauce offer a wholesome, flavorful, and easy-to-make dinner option featuring lean ground turkey, fresh herbs, and a rich homemade tomato sauce. This recipe is perfect for busy weeknights, providing a healthy twist on a classic Italian favorite that’s family-friendly and versatile.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Skillet Cooking
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
Scale
Meatballs
- 1 lb lean ground turkey
- 1/2 cup bread crumbs
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
Tomato Sauce
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 28 oz crushed tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Meatball Mixture: In a large bowl, combine ground turkey, bread crumbs, egg, grated Parmesan, minced garlic, chopped parsley, salt, and pepper. Mix gently with your hands or a spoon until just combined—don’t overwork to keep the meatballs tender.
- Shape the Meatballs: Form the mixture into evenly sized balls, about 1.5 inches in diameter, to ensure they cook evenly. Place them on a baking tray or plate in preparation for cooking.
- Brown the Meatballs: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the meatballs and cook until browned on all sides—about 5-7 minutes. This step locks in flavor and adds a lovely crust.
- Make the Tomato Sauce: In the same skillet, sauté diced onion until translucent, then add minced garlic and cook for another minute. Pour in the crushed tomatoes, sprinkle Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Let simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Combine Meatballs and Sauce: Gently add the browned meatballs back into the skillet with the tomato sauce. Cover and let everything simmer together for 15-20 minutes, allowing the meatballs to cook through fully and absorb the sauce’s flavors.
Notes
- Use a light touch when mixing ingredients to keep meatballs tender.
- Don’t skip browning the meatballs before simmering to create deeper flavors and better texture.
- Test one meatball first to check seasoning and adjust if needed.
- Make the tomato sauce ahead of time to boost flavor through slow simmering.
- Allow meatballs to rest a few minutes before serving to set flavors and texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 480 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
Keywords: Italian, turkey meatballs, tomato sauce, healthy dinner, quick recipe, lean protein, family-friendly, gluten-free option
