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Savory Turkey Meatballs Recipe with Rich Marinara Sauce

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A quick and easy homemade meal featuring juicy turkey meatballs simmered in a rich, flavorful marinara sauce. Perfect for family dinners and busy weeknights.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb (450g) ground turkey (preferably lean, but not too lean to keep moisture)
  • 1/2 cup (50g) breadcrumbs (plain or Italian seasoned; panko works for a lighter texture)
  • 1/4 cup (60ml) whole milk or unsweetened almond milk
  • 1 large egg, beaten
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/4 cup (15g) fresh parsley, finely chopped (or 1 tbsp dried parsley)
  • 1/4 cup (25g) grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1/2 tsp dried oregano
  • 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 small onion, finely diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 can (28 oz / 800g) crushed tomatoes
  • 1 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 tsp sugar
  • 1 tsp dried basil
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Fresh basil leaves for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  1. In a large bowl, combine ground turkey, breadcrumbs, milk, beaten egg, minced garlic, chopped parsley, grated Parmesan, salt, black pepper, oregano, and optional red pepper flakes. Mix gently until just combined, being careful not to overmix.
  2. Shape the mixture into meatballs about 1 1/2 inches (4 cm) in diameter and place them on a plate or tray.
  3. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Brown the meatballs in batches for about 2 minutes per side until golden but not cooked through. Transfer browned meatballs to a plate.
  4. In the same skillet, sauté diced onion over medium heat until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  5. Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, sugar, dried basil, dried oregano, salt, and pepper. Let the sauce simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  6. Nestle browned meatballs gently into the marinara sauce. Cover and simmer on low heat for 15–20 minutes, turning meatballs once halfway through, until meatballs reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
  7. Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning if needed. Garnish with fresh basil leaves if desired. Serve hot over spaghetti, zucchini noodles, or alongside your favorite vegetable sides.

Notes

Do not overmix the meatball mixture to avoid tough meatballs. Browning the meatballs before simmering seals in moisture and adds flavor. Simmer sauce gently to keep meatballs tender. Adjust sauce thickness by adding water or broth if too thick, or simmer uncovered if too thin. Can bake meatballs at 375°F for 20 minutes as an alternative to browning.

Nutrition

Keywords: turkey meatballs, marinara sauce, easy dinner, homemade meatballs, family meal, quick recipe, healthy meatballs

Find it online: https://blairrecipes.com/savory-turkey-meatballs-recipe-with-rich-marinara-sauce-easy-homemade-meal/