Baked Italian Turkey Meatballs

These Turkey Meatballs are baked not fried… and every bit as good as the beef version.  We were pleasantly surprised when we tasted them.. they’re light and delicious and healthy too!

TIPS

These are easy to make.. the meat mix is a bit wetter than when you make it with beef… so they aren’t dry tasting at all after baking.

Don’t be afraid to be a bit heavy handed with the spices… turkey is blander than beef so it can take more spice. 

I listed 1- 1 ½ teaspoons garlic powder… a lot will depend on how fresh your garlic powder is … the longer on the shelf it is.. the less potent.  I used 1 teaspoon.. my garlic powder is about a month old.  The garlic taste was very light… we like garlic.. so next time I’ll add a bit more.

You can use fresh garlic.. just throw the peeled cloves (about 2) in your mini processor with the onion and pulse.. not only will it be well mixed with the onion, it will be minced very small.

I always use fresh parsley.. it has the best flavor…. Did you know you can freeze chopped parsley?  Just put it in an airtight container and freeze it.  It’s perfect for in recipes like this!

My meatballs were about an inch in size maybe a tad less.

After baking I simmer them for a bit in my tomato sauce so it absorbs even more flavor.

Use any tomato sauce you prefer, jarred or homemade.

Try these, the family won’t even realize they aren’t beef.. the taste is great!

Recipe:  Baked Italian Turkey Meatballs

All you need:

1 ½ pounds ground turkey

1 egg, slightly beaten

3 tablespoons milk

¾ cup Italian bread crumbs

¼ cup chopped fresh parsley

1 medium onion, finely chopped

1 tablespoon Italian seasoning

¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese

1-1 ½ teaspoons garlic powder *See TIPS

½ teaspoon salt

¼ teaspoon ground black pepper

Tomato Sauce

All you need to do:

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.

Line a baking pan with non-stick foil.

In a large bowl, mix all the ingredients except the tomato sauce.  Mix well.

Roll the meat mix into small balls about an inch in size.

Place on the prepared baking pan and bake at 375 degrees F for 30 minutes.

Remove from the oven and in a large pot simmer the meatballs in the tomato sauce for 30 minutes to an hour.