Description
These ultra-juicy baked turkey meatballs in garlic marinara are a secret weapon for busy weeknights. They take only 10 minutes of prep, require zero stove attention, and stay moist thanks to a milk-breadcrumb panade.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound ground turkey (93% lean)
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 3 cloves garlic, minced (for meatballs)
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- Black pepper to taste
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 2 cloves garlic, minced (for sauce)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Fresh basil or parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a small bowl, combine milk and breadcrumbs. Let sit for 5 minutes to form a paste (panade).
- In a larger bowl, combine ground turkey, milk-breadcrumb mixture, egg, Parmesan, minced garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper. Mix gently with hands until just combined; do not overmix.
- Roll mixture into 1.5-inch balls (about 12-14 meatballs). Place on prepared baking sheet and drizzle lightly with olive oil.
- Bake for 15-18 minutes until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- While meatballs bake, heat marinara sauce in a small saucepan over medium-low heat. Add minced garlic and red pepper flakes. Simmer gently for 5 minutes.
- Toss baked meatballs into the warm sauce to absorb flavor, or serve on the side. Garnish with fresh herbs and serve over pasta, rice, or with bread.
Notes
Do not overmix the meat to avoid tough meatballs. The milk and breadcrumb mixture (panade) is essential for keeping turkey meatballs juicy. Meatballs can be frozen raw or cooked. If freezing raw, bake from frozen adding 5 minutes to cook time.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 meatballs and 1/3
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 4
- Sodium: 450
- Fat: 14
- Saturated Fat: 5
- Carbohydrates: 12
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 22
Keywords: turkey meatballs, baked meatballs, weeknight dinner, easy dinner, healthy dinner, gluten-free option, dairy-free option, meal prep