Best 7 Saucy Turkey Meatballs Recipes

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Craving a delectable and comforting dish that has the perfect balance of flavors? Look no further! We’re here to take you on a culinary journey, introducing you to the world of saucy turkey meatballs. These succulent orbs of ground turkey, infused with an array of herbs and spices, are lovingly enveloped in a rich and flavorful sauce. Whether you prefer a classic tomato-based sauce, a tangy mustard glaze, or an exotic creamy mushroom sauce, there's a recipe out there to tantalize your taste buds. Get ready to sink your teeth into these juicy meatballs, smothered in a sauce that will elevate your dining experience to new heights.

Here are our top 7 tried and tested recipes!

TURKEY MEATBALLS IN TOMATO SAUCE



Turkey Meatballs in Tomato Sauce image

Tender meatballs filled with onions and Parmesan, bathed in plenty of tomato sauce, are classics in every way except for one: They call for turkey instead of the usual beef (or beef-veal-pork combination). Serve them over spaghetti or polenta, or stuff them into a hero roll for a sandwich. Try to use ground dark meat turkey here if you can, it has a deeper, richer flavor than ground white meat.

Provided by Melissa Clark

Categories     dinner, lunch, meatballs, main course

Time 50m

Yield 28 meatballs, 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 13

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, more for serving, if desired
1/2 cup panko or other plain dried bread crumbs
1/4 cup minced onion
1/4 cup chopped chives or basil
2 garlic cloves, grated on a microplane or minced
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
Pinch red pepper flakes (optional)
1 1/2 pounds ground turkey, very cold
1 large egg, beaten
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, more as needed
3 cups marinara sauce, more to taste

Steps:

  • In a large bowl, combine cheese, bread crumbs, onion, chives, garlic, salt, pepper, oregano and red pepper flakes, if using, and mix well. Add turkey and egg and blend with your hands until well mixed. If you've got time, cover mixture and chill for an hour or up to 24 hours. These are easiest to form into balls while very cold. Form into 28 meatballs, each about 1 1/4-inches in diameter.
  • Heat 2 tablespoons of the oil in a large sauté pan. When hot, add enough of the meatballs to fit in one layer without crowding, and brown on all sides, 5 to 8 minutes. Transfer to a plate, add another tablespoon of oil to pan and brown another layer of meatballs, transferring them to the plate as they brown. Repeat until all meatballs are browned, adding more oil to the pan as needed.
  • When meatballs are all browned, add marinara sauce to pan and bring to a simmer, scraping up the browned bits on the pan bottom. Return meatballs and their juices to pan, shake pan to cover the meatballs with sauce, and lower heat. Partly cover pan and simmer until the meatballs are cooked through, 15 to 20 minutes.
  • Serve hot, drizzled with more olive oil and sprinkled with more cheese, if you like.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 382, UnsaturatedFat 14 grams, Carbohydrate 18 grams, Fat 21 grams, Fiber 3 grams, Protein 30 grams, SaturatedFat 5 grams, Sodium 827 milligrams, Sugar 8 grams, TransFat 0 grams

TURKEY MEATBALLS AND SAUCE



Turkey Meatballs and Sauce image

My sweetie and I have fought the battle of the bulge forever. This is my less-fattening take on meatballs. They're slow-cooker easy, and so flavorful! - Jane McMillan, Dania Beach, Florida

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 6h40m

Yield 8 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 21

1/4 cup egg substitute
1/2 cup seasoned bread crumbs
1/3 cup chopped onion
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/4 teaspoon salt-free seasoning blend
1-1/2 pounds lean ground turkey
SAUCE:
1 can (15 ounces) tomato sauce
1 can (14-1/2 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained
1 small zucchini, chopped
1 medium green pepper, chopped
1 medium onion, chopped
1 can (6 ounces) tomato paste
2 bay leaves
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 teaspoon dried parsley flakes
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 package (16 ounces) whole wheat spaghetti

Steps:

  • In a large bowl, combine the egg substitute, bread crumbs, onion, pepper and seasoning blend. Crumble turkey over mixture and mix well. Shape into 1-in. balls; place on a rack coated with cooking spray in a shallow baking pan. Bake at 400° for 15 minutes or until no longer pink., Meanwhile, in a 4- or 5-qt. slow cooker, combine the tomato sauce, tomatoes, zucchini, green pepper, onion, tomato paste, bay leaves, garlic and seasonings. Stir in meatballs. Cover and cook on low for 6 hours. Cook spaghetti according to package directions; serve with meatballs and sauce.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 413 calories, Fat 9g fat (2g saturated fat), Cholesterol 59mg cholesterol, Sodium 514mg sodium, Carbohydrate 59g carbohydrate (8g sugars, Fiber 9g fiber), Protein 30g protein.

SAUCY TURKEY MEATBALLS



Saucy Turkey Meatballs image

It's easy to turn lean ground turkey into these moist, tender meatballs. Ideal for informal gatherings of family and friends, the appetizers feature a tangy sauce that my guests find delicious.-Janell Fugitt, Cimarron, Kansas

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Appetizers

Time 50m

Yield 15 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 14

1 cup old-fashioned oats
3/4 cup fat-free evaporated milk
1 medium onion, chopped
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon chili powder
1/4 teaspoon garlic salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1-1/2 pounds lean ground turkey
SAUCE:
2 cups ketchup
1-1/2 cups packed brown sugar
1/4 cup chopped onion
2 tablespoons Liquid Smoke, optional
1/2 teaspoons garlic salt

Steps:

  • In a large bowl, combine the first seven ingredients. Crumble turkey over mixture and mix well. Shape into 1-in. balls. Place on a rack coated with cooking spray in a shallow baking pan. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 10-15 minutes. , Meanwhile, combine the sauce ingredients; pour over meatballs. Bake 30-35 minutes longer or until meat is no longer pink.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 217 calories, Fat 4g fat (1g saturated fat), Cholesterol 36mg cholesterol, Sodium 695mg sodium, Carbohydrate 36g carbohydrate (0 sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 10g protein. Diabetic Exchanges

TURKEY MEATBALLS IN TOMATO SAUCE



Turkey Meatballs in Tomato Sauce image

Provided by Nigella Lawson : Food Network

Number Of Ingredients 15

1 onion, peeled
1 celery stalk
2 tablespoons garlic flavoured oil
1 teaspoon dried thyme
2 x 14 ounce cans diced plus approx. 3 1/3 cups (2 full cans) water
1 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon kosher salt flakes or 1/2 teaspoon table salt
Pepper, to taste
1 pound ground turkey
1 egg
3 tablespoons breadcrumbs
3 tablespoons grated Parmesan
2 tablespoons of finely chopped onion and celery (from the tomato sauce ingredients above)
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce (such as Lea and Perrins)
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme

Steps:

  • Put the peeled onion and celery into a processor and blitz to a mush. Or you can chop as finely as humanly possible by hand. Reserve 2 tablespoons for the meatball mixture.
  • Warm the garlic flavoured oil in a heavy saucepan or Dutch oven, add the onion and celery mixture, along with the thyme, and cook at moderate to low heat, stirring every now and again, for about 10 minutes.
  • Add the cans of tomato, filling up each empty can with water to add to the pan. Season with the sugar, salt and pepper, stir and then leave to come to a bubble, and then turn down to let it simmer gently while you get on with the meatballs.
  • Put all the ingredients for the meatballs, including the reserved chopped onion and celery, and salt according to preference, into a large bowl and mix together, gently, with your hands, wearing disposable vinyl gloves if you feel so inclined. Don't over-mix, as that will make the meatballs dense-textured and heavy.
  • When all the meatball ingredients are not too officiously amalgamated, start rolling. The easiest way really to do this is to pinch out an amount about the size of a generously heaped teaspoon and roll into a bowl between the palms of your hands. Put the meatballs on a baking tray, lined with baking parchment or greaseproof paper, as you go. You should get about 50 little meatballs.
  • Drop these gently into the simmering sauce; I try and let these fall in concentric circles working around the pan from the outside edge inwards, in only the vaguest of fashions.
  • Let the meatballs cook for 30 minutes, until cooked through. Serve with rice or pasta or however you so please.

THE BEST TURKEY MEATBALLS



The Best Turkey Meatballs image

These juicy meatballs with a tender, light texture are packed with flavorful herbs. The meat mixture is softer than you might expect, thanks to the addition of ricotta, but sacrificing a perfectly round shape is worth it. You'll make these turkey meatballs so often you just might forget about your beef meatball recipe.

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Categories     side-dish

Time 55m

Yield 12 meatballs

Number Of Ingredients 12

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons canola oil
3/4 cup finely ground fresh breadcrumbs (from 3 to 4 slices white bread, crusts removed)
1/2 cup milk
1 pound ground turkey (93/7 ratio)
1/2 cup whole milk ricotta cheese
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan
1 clove garlic, grated
1/4 cup packed parsley leaves, finely chopped (about 2 tablespoons chopped)
1 teaspoon dried oregano
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 large egg, lightly beaten

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and drizzle the olive oil and canola oil in an even layer over the paper.
  • Pour the breadcrumbs into a large mixing bowl, pour the milk over top and stir to fully moisten the breadcrumbs. Add the remaining ingredients to the mixing bowl and mix with your hands just until combined.
  • Scoop 1/4-cupfuls of meatball mixture and place them evenly spaced on the prepared baking sheet; you should have 12 meatballs. Gently roll them into balls. Bake until bottoms are golden brown, about 15 minutes. Reduce the oven temperature to 325 degrees F and continue to bake for 15 to 20 minutes more until the meatballs are cooked through.

SWEET AND SAVORY TURKEY MEATBALLS RECIPE



Sweet and Savory Turkey Meatballs Recipe image

These meatballs are so easy to make and taste delicious. If you have not tried making homemade meatballs, they have so much more flavor, are easy to make, and healthier because you get to decide what all goes in them.

Provided by Kendra Murdock

Categories     Appetizer     Main Course

Time 1h10m

Number Of Ingredients 12

1½ pounds ground turkey
½ cup breadcrumbs
¼ cup onion (minced)
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1 Tablespoon olive oil
⅓ cup brown sugar
¼ cup water
½ cup orange marmalade
¼ cup Honey
⅓ cup barbeque sauce
1 Tablespoon buffalo sauce
1 Tablespoon mustard

Steps:

  • Pre-heat the oven to 400 degrees.
  • In a large bowl, combine the ground turkey with the bread crumbs. It may be easiest to mix this with your hands.
  • Once combined, mix in the minced onion and garlic.
  • Roll the ground turkey mixture into 1 inch balls.
  • Heat stove to medium high heat.
  • Pour your olive oil into a pan or skillet.
  • Once the olive oil begins to bubble at the bottom, place your turkey meatballs in the pan or skillet.
  • Let each side of the pan or skillet cook the meatball until it begins to brown on the outside.
  • Brown the meatballs on all sides, then place them in a pan or baking dish and cook the meatballs at 400 degrees for about 20 minutes.
  • While the meatballs are cooking make the sauce as directed by combining the brown sugar and water until they are fully combined and melted together.
  • Add the orange marmalade, honey, barbecue sauce, buffalo sauce and mustard until it's fully combined.
  • Continue whisking until all the ingredients are fully mixed together and it begins to bubble, but don't let it come to a full boil or your sauce will be too thick and sticky.
  • Pour over the cooked meatballs immediately and serve warm.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 445 kcal, Carbohydrate 66 g, Protein 34 g, Fat 6 g, SaturatedFat 1 g, TransFat 1 g, Cholesterol 75 mg, Sodium 494 mg, Fiber 1 g, Sugar 55 g, ServingSize 1 serving

SLOW COOKER TURKEY MEATBALLS IN TOMATO SAUCE



Slow Cooker Turkey Meatballs in Tomato Sauce image

These slow cooker turkey meatballs in tomato sauce are a great alternative to traditional beef meatballs. Can be served over pasta or make meatball sandwiches with sauteed onions and peppers with melted Italian cheese over the top. Fantastic!

Provided by Cheryl

Categories     World Cuisine Recipes     European     Italian

Time 4h25m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 10

¼ cup minced onion
1 tablespoon Italian-style salad dressing
1 ½ pounds ground turkey
1 ¼ cups Italian-seasoned bread crumbs
5 cloves garlic, crushed
2 tablespoons Italian seasoning
salt and ground black pepper to taste
2 (14.5 ounce) cans Italian-style diced tomatoes
1 (26 ounce) jar marinara sauce
2 teaspoons dried basil

Steps:

  • Saute onion and Italian dressing in a small saute pan over medium heat for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool slightly, about 5 minutes.
  • Combine turkey, bread crumbs, garlic, sauteed onions, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper in a bowl; mix well.
  • Combine diced tomatoes and marinara in a second bowl; set aside.
  • Form 1/2 of the turkey mixture into 1 1/2-inch meatballs and layer them in the bottom of a slow cooker. Pour 1/2 of the tomato mixture over the meatballs. Form the remaining turkey mixture into meatballs and layer with remaining tomato mixture.
  • Cover and cook until no longer pink in the centers, about 4 hours on High, or 8 hours on Low.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 415.2 calories, Carbohydrate 41.1 g, Cholesterol 86.5 mg, Fat 14.1 g, Fiber 6.4 g, Protein 29.8 g, SaturatedFat 3.5 g, Sodium 1281.2 mg, Sugar 16.1 g

Tips:

  • Use a combination of ground turkey and ground chicken for a leaner meatball.
  • Add breadcrumbs, eggs, and seasonings to the meatball mixture for a more cohesive and flavorful meatball.
  • Brown the meatballs in a skillet before baking them in the oven for a crispy exterior and a tender interior.
  • Use a variety of sauces to flavor the meatballs, such as tomato sauce, marinara sauce, or Alfredo sauce.
  • Serve the meatballs with your favorite sides, such as spaghetti, mashed potatoes, or roasted vegetables.

Conclusion:

Saucy Turkey Meatballs are a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. They are easy to make and can be tailored to your own taste preferences. Whether you like them mild or spicy, sweet or savory, there is a saucy turkey meatball recipe out there for you. So next time you are looking for a quick and easy meal, give saucy turkey meatballs a try. You won't be disappointed!

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