Best 7 Classic Italian Turkey Meatballs Recipes

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**Classic Italian Turkey Meatballs: A Healthy and Flavorful Twist on a Traditional Dish**

Meatballs are a beloved dish around the world, and Italian meatballs are no exception. Typically made with ground beef or pork, these meatballs are known for their tender texture, savory flavor, and versatility. However, for those looking for a healthier alternative without compromising on taste, turkey meatballs offer an excellent option. Our collection of classic Italian turkey meatball recipes provides a variety of options to suit different preferences and dietary needs. From traditional meatballs simmered in a rich tomato sauce to lighter versions baked in the oven, these recipes showcase the versatility and deliciousness of turkey meatballs. With easy-to-follow instructions and helpful tips, you'll be able to create flavorful and satisfying turkey meatballs that will impress your family and friends.

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

BAKED TURKEY MEATBALLS



Baked Turkey Meatballs image

Baked Turkey Meatballs. Easy to make, tender, and absolutely delicious! Serve with spaghetti, buns, or over zucchini noodles.

Provided by Erin Clarke / Well Plated

Categories     Appetizer     Main Course

Time 30m

Number Of Ingredients 17

1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese (plus additional for serving)
1/3 cup Italian-seasoned breadcrumbs (whole wheat if possible)
3 tablespoons finely chopped fresh herbs (basil, parsley, or chives a combo, plus additional for serving)
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
1 pound 93% lean ground turkey (keep in your refrigerator until the last possible second)
1 large egg
1 1/2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil (plus more as needed)
Prepared pasta sauce
Cooked whole wheat pasta or zucchini noodles
Creamy Polenta
Split and toasted hoagie buns
Prepared brown rice

Steps:

  • Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil and coat with nonstick spray.
  • In a large mixing bowl, add the cheese, bread crumbs, herbs, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, pepper, and red pepper flakes and stir well to combine. Add the turkey.
  • In a small bowl, beat the egg, then add it to the meat mixture. With a fork or your fingers, mix just until combined, being careful not to compact the meat.
  • With a scoop or spoon, scoop the meat and shape into 1 1/2-inch meatballs. Arrange on the prepared baking sheet. You will have about 20 meatballs total.
  • Brush the tops of the meatballs with the olive oil.
  • Bake for 15 minutes, or until the meatballs reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees F on an instant-read thermometer. As an alternate way to check, a meatball in the center of the baking sheet should be fully cooked through when cut in half.
  • While the meatballs cook, warm the sauce and any other items you'd like to serve them with (pasta, hoagie buns, rice, etc.). Serve the meatballs hot, topped with the sauce, cheese, herbs, and any other additions.

Nutrition Facts : ServingSize 1 meatball, Calories 62 kcal, Carbohydrate 2 g, Protein 5 g, Fat 4 g, SaturatedFat 1 g, Cholesterol 26 mg, Sodium 188 mg, Fiber 1 g, Sugar 1 g

CLASSIC MEATBALLS



Classic Meatballs image

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Categories     main-dish

Time 1h20m

Yield 6 to 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 11

1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
10 cloves garlic (8 thinly sliced, 2 finely grated)
3 28-ounce cans whole peeled San Marzano tomatoes, crushed by hand
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
1 tablespoon dried oregano
2 pounds ground beef
1 cup grated parmesan cheese
1/2 cup breadcrumbs
1/2 cup finely chopped fresh parsley
1/2 cup milk
2 large eggs

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Heat the olive oil and sliced garlic in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Cook, stirring, until the garlic is lightly golden, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the tomatoes, 1 teaspoon salt, a few grinds of pepper and 2 teaspoons oregano. Bring to a simmer, then reduce the heat and simmer gently, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens slightly, 15 to 18 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, make the meatballs: Combine the beef, parmesan, breadcrumbs, parsley, milk, eggs, grated garlic, 2 teaspoons salt, a few grinds of pepper and the remaining 1 teaspoon oregano in a large bowl. Mix well with your hands. Form into thirty 1 1/2-inch meatballs and divide between 2 baking sheets. Bake until firm and lightly browned, 12 to 15 minutes.
  • Carefully remove the meatballs with a spatula and drain briefly on paper towels, then transfer to the sauce. Simmer until tender, 15 to 20 minutes.
  • Transfer the meatballs and sauce to a slow cooker and keep on warm.

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

CLASSIC ITALIAN TURKEY MEATBALLS



Classic Italian Turkey Meatballs image

A classic Italian Meatball recipe that I inherited from the restaurant I cooked in years ago. I've swapped ground turkey for the veal and switched to light sour cream to make the dish healthier but the flavor still came out fantastic! These won't fall apart on you - and don't forget to simmer them in your favorite sauce for at...

Provided by Brad Nichols

Categories     Turkey

Time 25m

Number Of Ingredients 14

1 1/2 lb ground lean turkey
1/2 lb sweet italian sausage
1 1/2 c seasoned breadcrumbs
1/2 c grated parmesan cheese
1/4 c light sour cream
1 egg
2 Tbsp fresh chopped italian parsley
2 tsp oregano, dried
2 tsp italian seasoning
1 tsp ground black pepper
2 clove garlic minced
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
1 c olive oil

Steps:

  • 1. Combine everything except Olive Oil in a large mixing bowl and knead ingredients together until well mixed
  • 2. Roll golf ball sized pieces of the mixture in your palms until round and well formed.
  • 3. Heat the Olive Oil on Medium-High Heat in a saute pan
  • 4. Cook the meatballs until brown - about 3 mins in total, turning a couple of times
  • 5. Once cooked - add these to your favorite tomato based sauce for a nice long simmer!! Yum!!

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

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

Tips:

  • Use fresh ground turkey: Fresh ground turkey will produce more flavorful and juicy meatballs than frozen or pre-packaged ground turkey.
  • Don't overmix the meatball mixture: Overmixing the meatball mixture can make the meatballs tough. Mix just until the ingredients are combined.
  • Use a variety of herbs and spices: The combination of herbs and spices in this recipe creates a delicious and flavorful meatball. Feel free to experiment with different herbs and spices to create your own unique flavor profile.
  • Cook the meatballs thoroughly: To ensure that the meatballs are cooked through, cook them until they reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Serve the meatballs with your favorite sauce: These meatballs are delicious served with a variety of sauces, such as tomato sauce, marinara sauce, or Alfredo sauce.

Conclusion:

These classic Italian turkey meatballs are a delicious and versatile dish that can be served as an appetizer, main course, or side dish. They are easy to make and can be customized to your own taste. With their tender texture and flavorful sauce, these meatballs are sure to be a hit with your family and friends.

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