Description

Juicy, flavorful turkey meatballs baked in the oven and simmered in marinara sauce. This lean but tender dinner is ready in 20 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights.

Ingredients

Scale

1 pound ground turkey (mix of thigh and breast preferred)
1 large egg
½ cup plain dry breadcrumbs
2 tablespoons milk
3 cloves garlic, minced
¼ small yellow onion, finely grated
¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
24 oz jar marinara sauce
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
½ teaspoon dried oregano
½ teaspoon sugar (optional)
½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions

Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a mixing bowl, combine breadcrumbs and milk. Let sit for 1 minute to form a paste (panade).
Add ground turkey, egg, grated onion, minced garlic, Parmesan, parsley, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper to the bowl.
Mix gently with hands until just combined. Do not overmix.
Roll mixture into 1.5-inch balls (about 20-24 meatballs). Place on prepared baking sheet.
Bake for 15 minutes until browned and cooked through (internal temp 165°F).
While meatballs bake, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and oregano, cook 30 seconds.
Add marinara sauce and sugar (if using). Simmer gently for 5 minutes.
Add baked meatballs to the simmering sauce. Toss to coat and let sit for 2-3 minutes to absorb flavor.
Serve immediately over pasta or with your choice of sides.

Notes

Do not overmix the meat to avoid tough meatballs. Grating the onion adds moisture without chunks. For meal prep, freeze baked meatballs separately from sauce for up to 3 months.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Category: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

Serving Size: Approx. 4 meatballs
Calories: 280
Sugar: 6
Sodium: 450
Fat: 14
Saturated Fat: 3
Carbohydrates: 18
Fiber: 2
Protein: 22

Keywords: turkey meatballs, easy dinner, back-to-school recipes, healthy dinner, 20 minute meals, ground turkey recipes, marinara sauce