Baked Turkey Zucchini Meatballs
User Reviews
5
Baked Turkey Zucchini Meatballs
Description
This recipe uses ground turkey mixed with grated and drained zucchini, grated red onion, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, eggs, and seasoning to make moist meatballs that hold their shape during baking. The meatballs are portioned into two-tablespoon balls and baked on a lined sheet at 400°F until browned and cooked through. The use of zucchini adds moisture and texture without overpowering the meat.
The accompanying tomato sauce is made by sautéing minced garlic in olive oil, then adding crushed tomatoes seasoned with salt, black pepper, sugar, Italian seasoning, and crushed red pepper flakes for a touch of heat. This sauce simmers while the meatballs bake, marrying flavors when served together.
Baked rather than fried, these meatballs are a lighter preparation while still being hearty. They can be served with pasta, in a sandwich, or over a side vegetable. The recipe yields roughly five meatballs per serving and emphasizes balanced seasoning for a home-style meal.
Ingredients
For the Meatballs:
- 2 pounds ground turkey or ground beef
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 2 egg large
- 3 1/2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- salt to taste
- black pepper to taste
- 2 cups zucchini finely grated and drained
- 1 red onion small; grated
For the Sauce:
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 crushed tomatoes 28-ounce can
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon sugar
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes crushed
Instructions
For the Meatballs:
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees (F). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper; set aside.
- In a large bowl combine ground turkey meat, olive oil, minced garlic, eggs, Italian seasoning, salt and pepper, zucchini, and onion. Using your hands mix the meat mixture until the ingredients are evenly combined; the mixture should be very moist but still hold its shape when rolled into balls.
- Scoop two tablespoon sized balls of meat from the mix, roll into a firm ball, and place on prepared baking sheet; repeat with remaining meat.
- Place the baking sheet in the oven to bake for 20-25 minutes, or until they're evenly brown and cooked though.
- While the meatballs bake, make your marinara!
For the Sauce:
- Warm the oil in a large saucepan over medium-heat. Add in the garlic and sauté for one minute, or until the garlic is just golden (careful not to burn it here) and fragrant. Add the crushed tomatoes, salt, pepper, sugar, seasoning and crushed red pepper flakes, mix well to combine. Simmer the sauce for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Season with additional salt and pepper to taste.
- When meatballs are done baking, add them to the sauce, stir to coat, and serve.
Notes
- Estimated nutrition per serving of about 5 meatballs with sauce: approximately 170 calories and 2.9 grams of total fat.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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