4.8 from 36 votes
Pesto Meatballs
These juicy meatballs are easy to make and full of flavor thanks to the fresh basil pesto. They can be made in advance and are freezer friendly. Serve the meatballs with pasta, spaghetti squash, rice, or in a meatball sub!
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Total Time
25 mins
Servings:
20
meatballs
Calories:
70 kcal
Course:
Main Course
Cuisine:
Italian
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground turkey can use ground chicken or ground beef
- 1/3 cup pesto
- 1/2 cup panko
- 1/3 cup Parmesan Cheese freshly grated
- 1 egg large
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- crushed red pepper flakes dash
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- See notes for serving suggestions
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
- In a large bowl, combine the ground turkey, pesto, panko, Parmesan cheese, egg, garlic powder, crushed red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper.
- Using a medium cookie scoop or a spoon, scoop and roll the mixture into 1.5-inch tablespoon balls and place them on the prepared baking sheet. You can wear gloves or lightly spray your hands with nonstick cooking spray.
- In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium high heat. When the oil is hot, add half of the meatballs and sauté for a 3 to 4 minutes, using tongs to turn so the meatballs brown on every side. The meatballs don’t have to be cooked through because they are going into the oven, you just want a nice brown crust on the outside.
- Transfer the browned meatballs to the prepared baking sheet. Repeat the process with the remaining meatballs.
- Once all the meatballs are browned and spaced out on the baking sheet, place them in the oven and bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until cooked through.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- There are so many ways to enjoy the meatballs. Serve warm with pasta. You can add marinara sauce, pesto, spaghetti sauce, or butter and Parmesan to the pasta for more flavor. We like to garnish with Parmesan cheese and basil. You can also serve the meatballs with zucchini noodles, spaghetti squash, or roasted vegetables. Or serve on a bun to make a sandwich/meatball sub, add to a salad, or enjoy plain!
Nutrition Information
Calories
70kcal
(4%)
Carbohydrates
2g
(1%)
Protein
7g
(14%)
Fat
4g
(6%)
Saturated Fat
1g
(5%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
0.4g
(2%)
Monounsaturated Fat
1g
(5%)
Trans Fat
0.01g
(1%)
Cholesterol
22mg
(7%)
Sodium
152mg
(6%)
Potassium
77mg
(2%)
Fiber
0.1g
(0%)
Sugar
0.2g
(0%)
Vitamin A
115IU
(2%)
Vitamin C
0.001mg
(0%)
Calcium
26mg
(3%)
Iron
0.3mg
(2%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 20 meatballs
Amount Per Serving
Calories 70
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 70kcal | 4% |
| Carbohydrates | 2g | 1% |
| Protein | 7g | 14% |
| Fat | 4g | 6% |
| Saturated Fat | 1g | 5% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.4g | 2% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 1g | 5% |
| Trans Fat | 0.01g | 1% |
| Cholesterol | 22mg | 7% |
| Sodium | 152mg | 6% |
| Potassium | 77mg | 2% |
| Fiber | 0.1g | 0% |
| Sugar | 0.2g | 0% |
| Vitamin A | 115IU | 2% |
| Vitamin C | 0.001mg | 0% |
| Calcium | 26mg | 3% |
| Iron | 0.3mg | 2% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.