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Italian Turkey Meatballs

We love these juicy, Italian ground turkey meatballs in homemade tomato sauce. Serve them over your favorite pasta, pizza or sandwich!

Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
5 mins
Total Time
35 mins
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 280 kcal
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Italian

Ingredients

  • 20 oz 1.3 lb ground turkey breast 93% lean
  • 2 tsp olive oil
  • 1/4 cup whole wheat seasoned breadcrumbs (or gluten-free crumbs)
  • 4 cloves garlic (smashed)
  • 1/4 cup Pecorino or Parmesan cheese (grated)
  • 2 28 oz cans crushed tomatoes (I swear by Tuttorosso)
  • 1/4 cup parsley (finely chopped)
  • 1/2 small onion (cut in half but don't chop)
  • 1 egg
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 large clove garlic (crushed)
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1 tsp kosher salt + fresh pepper
  • 1/4 cup fresh chopped basil
  • Salt and fresh pepper to taste

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. In a medium size pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add garlic and saute until golden, being careful not to burn. Add crushed tomatoes, onion, salt, pepper, oregano, basil and bay leaf. Stir and reduce heat to low. Cover and let simmer on low 5-10 minutes.
  2. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine ground turkey, breadcrumbs, egg, parsley, garlic and cheese. Using wet hands, mix all the ingredients well until everything is combined. Form small meatballs, about the size of a ping ping ball (1/8th cup each).
  3. If you wish, you can brown the meatballs in a skillet, or brown them in the broiler on a sheet pan until the tops are golden, 7 to 8 minutes. OR you can gently plop them right into the sauce.
  4. Add the meatballs to the sauce and cook about 20 minutes. Discard the bay leaf and onion and serve over pasta or whole wheat Italian bread.

Notes

  • You can make them with 99% lean turkey although they will be more dry, if you do.

Nutrition Information

Serving 4meatballs with sauce Calories 280kcal (14%) Carbohydrates 25g (8%) Protein 25.5g (51%) Fat 11.5g (18%) Saturated Fat 3g (15%) Cholesterol 104mg (35%) Sodium 997mg (42%) Fiber 5g (20%) Sugar 10.5g (21%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 6servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 280

% Daily Value*

Serving 4meatballs with sauce
Calories 280kcal 14%
Carbohydrates 25g 8%
Protein 25.5g 51%
Fat 11.5g 18%
Saturated Fat 3g 15%
Cholesterol 104mg 35%
Sodium 997mg 42%
Fiber 5g 20%
Sugar 10.5g 21%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.