Best 6 Classic Italian Turkey Meatballs Recipes

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Classic Italian turkey meatballs are a flavorful and versatile dish that can be enjoyed as an appetizer, main course, or even in a sandwich. Made with a combination of ground turkey, bread crumbs, cheese, and herbs, the meatballs are typically simmered in a rich tomato sauce and served over pasta, rice, or mashed potatoes. Whether you're looking for a simple weeknight meal or a special occasion dish, turkey meatballs are sure to become a favorite in your household.

Let's cook with our recipes!

ITALIAN TURKEY MEATBALLS



Italian Turkey Meatballs image

These lean meatballs are filled with the flavors of Italy with fresh herbs, parmesan cheese, and seasoned bread crumbs.

Provided by Melt Organic Buttery Spread

Categories     Trusted Brands: Recipes and Tips     Melt® Organic Buttery Spread

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 12

1 ½ pounds ground lean turkey
¼ cup shredded Parmesan cheese
⅔ cup dry Italian bread crumbs
⅓ cup chopped fresh parsley
3 tablespoons chopped fresh oregano
2 teaspoons chopped fresh rosemary
1 teaspoon dry mustard
¼ cup tomato sauce
¼ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon crushed red pepper
3 each garlic cloves, minced
2 teaspoons Melt® Organic Buttery Spread, softened

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
  • Combine all the ingredients together except for the Melt®; stir well in a bowl. Form around 30 balls out of the mixture. Put them on a broiler pan coated with the melted Melt. Bake around 15 minutes or until a cut meatball shows no pink inside. Serve with pasta and sauce or place on a sandwich.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 187.8 calories, Carbohydrate 8.1 g, Cholesterol 65.1 mg, Fat 8.6 g, Fiber 0.6 g, Protein 19.6 g, SaturatedFat 2.4 g, Sodium 351.3 mg, Sugar 0.7 g

CLASSIC ITALIAN TURKEY MEATBALLS



Classic Italian Turkey Meatballs image

Provided by Giada De Laurentiis

Time 1h25m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 24

1 cup plain breadcrumbs
1/2 cup finely grated Parmesan (plus more for serving)
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
1/4 cup chopped fresh Italian parsley
1/4 cup whole milk (at room temperature)
1 tablespoon ketchup (optional)
1 tablespoon tomato paste
3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 large eggs (at room temperature)
2 cloves garlic (minced)
1 small onion (finely chopped)
1 pound ground dark turkey meat
1 pound spicy Italian turkey sausage links (casings removed)
Extra-virgin olive oil (for drizzling)
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
3 large cloves garlic (smashed and peeled)
1 large onion (finely chopped 1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to season)
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper (plus more to season)
3/4 cup chopped fresh basil
2 teaspoons finely ground fennel seeds
2 teaspoons dried oregano
Two 28-ounce cans crushed tomatoes
1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth (optional)

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
  • For the meatballs: In a large bowl, combine the breadcrumbs, Parmesan, basil, parsley, milk, ketchup if using, tomato paste, salt, pepper, eggs, garlic and onions. Using a wooden spoon, stir to blend. Add the ground turkey and sausage meat. Using fingers, gently mix all the ingredients until thoroughly combined.
  • Using a 1-ounce cookie scoop or a small ice cream scoop, form the meat mixture into 1 1/2-inch balls (22 to 24 meatballs). Place the meatballs on a heavy nonstick baking sheet, spacing apart. Drizzle with olive oil and bake until cooked through, 15 minutes.
  • For the tomato sauce: Heat the olive oil in a large deep skillet with 2-inch-high sides over medium-high heat. Add the garlic, onions, salt and pepper. Cook for 5 to 6 minutes. Add 1/2 cup of the basil, the fennel, oregano and crushed tomatoes. Bring to a simmer. Cook over medium heat until the sauce thickens slightly, stirring occasionally, 15 to 20 minutes. Stir in the remaining 1/4 cup basil. Adjust the seasoning with more salt and pepper if desired.
  • Add the meatballs to the tomato sauce and simmer until the meatballs are heated through, about 10 minutes. Thin the sauce with chicken stock, 1/4 cup at a time, if needed.
  • Serve with grated Parmesan alongside.

Nutrition Facts : ServingSize 6

ITALIAN TURKEY MEATBALLS



Italian Turkey Meatballs image

What's not to love about moist and tender homemade Italian meatballs? Because they're made with lean turkey, they're lower in saturated fat, too! -Mary Berg, Lake Elmo, Minnesota

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 4h45m

Yield 12 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 23

3 slices white bread, torn into small pieces
1/2 cup fat-free milk
2 pounds lean ground turkey
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup minced fresh parsley
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
3 garlic cloves, minced
2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
SAUCE:
2 medium onions, chopped
1 medium green pepper, chopped
2 cans (28 ounces each) crushed tomatoes in puree
2 cans (6 ounces each) tomato paste
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon sugar
2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
2 bay leaves
Hot cooked pasta
Additional minced fresh parsley and grated Parmesan cheese, optional

Steps:

  • Preheat broiler. Combine bread and milk in a large bowl; let stand until liquid is absorbed. Add next eight ingredients; mix lightly but thoroughly. Shape into 1-1/2-in. balls; place on a greased rack of a broiler pan. Broil 5-6 in. from heat until lightly browned, 4-5 minutes. , For the sauce, in a 6-qt. slow cooker, mix the next nine ingredients. Add bay leaves and meatballs; gently stir into sauce., Cook, covered, on low until meatballs are cooked through, 4-5 hours. Discard bay leaves. Serve with pasta; if desired, sprinkle with additional parsley and Parmesan cheese., Freeze option: Omitting additional parsley and Parmesan cheese, freeze cooled meatball mixture in freezer containers. To use, partially thaw in refrigerator overnight. Microwave, covered, on high in a microwave-safe dish until heated through, stirring gently and adding a little water if necessary. If desired, sprinkle with additional parsley and Parmesan.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 239 calories, Fat 8g fat (2g saturated fat), Cholesterol 85mg cholesterol, Sodium 588mg sodium, Carbohydrate 23g carbohydrate (11g sugars, Fiber 4g fiber), Protein 22g protein. Diabetic Exchanges

MY ITALIAN TURKEY MEATBALLS



My Italian Turkey Meatballs image

These turkey meatballs are moist and flavorful. Pan fry, bake, or cook from raw right into your favorite spaghetti sauce, as I do!

Provided by debbie eckstein

Categories     Meat and Poultry Recipes     Turkey     Ground Turkey Recipes

Time 50m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 6

1 pound ground turkey
½ cup Italian-style bread crumbs
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 egg
¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
½ teaspoon kosher salt

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
  • Mix turkey, bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese, egg, parsley, and salt together in a large bowl. Form meat mixture with wet hands into balls about 1 1/2 inches in diameter without handling or packing too hard.
  • Bake in the preheated oven until browned, about 20 minutes . An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 160 degrees F (70 degrees C).

Nutrition Facts : Calories 280 calories, Carbohydrate 10.4 g, Cholesterol 133.4 mg, Fat 13.2 g, Fiber 0.7 g, Protein 29.6 g, SaturatedFat 4.4 g, Sodium 573.2 mg, Sugar 1 g

OLD WORLD STYLE ITALIAN TURKEY MEATBALLS



Old World Style Italian Turkey Meatballs image

Make and share this Old World Style Italian Turkey Meatballs recipe from Food.com.

Provided by FarahC

Categories     Cheese

Time 1h20m

Yield 10-15 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 12

1 lb ground turkey (or 1/2 lb ground italian pork sausage,and 1/2 lb ground sirloin)
2 teaspoons dried basil
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1 large egg, beaten
3/4 cup of white unseasoned breadcrumbs
1/2 cup water
2 teaspoons garlic powder
1/2 cup parmesan cheese, grated
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
2 teaspoons dried parsley
2 teaspoons olive oil

Steps:

  • Mix everything together, and form into golf ball size meatballs, or smaller if thats to your liking. Slowly drop meatballs into my old world Italian spaghetti sauce recipe #139406 when it reaches a slow simmer (about 1/2 hour into cooking time) Be sure to stir slowly and often so meatballs don't stick and crumble in the pot.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 139.2, Fat 6.7, SaturatedFat 2.2, Cholesterol 54.3, Sodium 403.1, Carbohydrate 6.8, Fiber 0.6, Sugar 0.6, Protein 12.8

GREAT-GRANDMA'S ITALIAN MEATBALLS



Great-Grandma's Italian Meatballs image

My great-grandmother started this easy meatball recipe with our family. We use ground beef and turkey for these meatballs, and the flavor's so good, you won't miss the extra calories. -Audrey Colantino, Winchester, Massachusetts

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 50m

Yield 8 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 11

2 teaspoons olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
3/4 cup seasoned bread crumbs
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
1 teaspoon each dried basil, oregano and parsley flakes
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 pound lean ground turkey
1 pound lean ground beef (90% lean)
Optional: Hot cooked pasta and pasta sauce

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 375°. In a small skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add onion; cook and stir until tender, 3-4 minutes. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Cool slightly., In a large bowl, combine bread crumbs, cheese, eggs, seasonings and onion mixture. Add turkey and beef; mix lightly but thoroughly. Shape into 1-1/2-in. balls., Place meatballs on a rack coated with cooking spray in a 15x10x1-in. baking pan. Bake until lightly browned and cooked through, 18-22 minutes. If desired, serve with pasta and pasta sauce.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 271 calories, Fat 13g fat (5g saturated fat), Cholesterol 125mg cholesterol, Sodium 569mg sodium, Carbohydrate 10g carbohydrate (1g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 27g protein. Diabetic Exchanges

Tips:

  • Use a combination of ground turkey and ground pork: This will result in meatballs that are moist and flavorful, with just the right amount of fat.
  • Season the meatballs well: Use a generous amount of Italian seasoning, garlic, salt, and pepper. You can also add other herbs and spices to taste, such as basil, oregano, or rosemary.
  • Don't overmix the meatball mixture: Overmixing will make the meatballs tough. Just mix until the ingredients are well combined.
  • Use a large skillet or Dutch oven to cook the meatballs: You want to make sure that the meatballs have enough room to brown without overcrowding.
  • Don't crowd the meatballs in the pan: If you overcrowd the pan, the meatballs will steam instead of brown.
  • Cook the meatballs over medium heat: This will help to prevent them from burning.
  • Serve the meatballs with your favorite sauce: Marinara sauce is a classic choice, but you can also use Alfredo sauce, pesto sauce, or a simple tomato sauce.

Conclusion:

These classic Italian turkey meatballs are a delicious and easy-to-make weeknight meal. They're perfect for serving with spaghetti and meatballs, or on their own as an appetizer. With just a few simple ingredients, you can enjoy these flavorful meatballs in no time. So next time you're looking for a quick and easy meal, give these classic Italian turkey meatballs a try.

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