Best 6 Lightened Up Turkey Meatballs And Sauce Recipes

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Indulge in a lightened-up version of the classic comfort food with these turkey meatballs and sauce. Made with lean ground turkey, these meatballs are packed with flavor and smothered in a rich and savory tomato sauce. This dish is not only healthier but also incredibly versatile, making it a perfect addition to various meals. Whether you're looking for a hearty main course, an appetizer, or a topping for your favorite pasta, these meatballs will surely satisfy your cravings. With step-by-step instructions and helpful tips, this recipe is perfect for home cooks of all levels. So, gather your ingredients and get ready to create a delicious and nutritious meal that the whole family will love.

In addition to the main turkey meatballs and sauce recipe, the article also includes three variations to cater to different dietary preferences and tastes. For those who prefer a creamy sauce, the creamy turkey meatballs and sauce recipe offers a delightful twist with a luscious cream sauce. If you're looking for a vegetarian option, the vegetarian meatballs and sauce recipe uses a combination of lentils and vegetables to create flavorful and protein-packed meatballs. And for those who love a spicy kick, the spicy turkey meatballs and sauce recipe incorporates a blend of chili powder, cumin, and cayenne pepper for a tantalizing taste. With these diverse recipe options, everyone can enjoy this lightened-up version of a classic dish.

Here are our top 6 tried and tested recipes!

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.

SWEDISH TURKEY MEATBALLS



Swedish Turkey Meatballs image

I've tried a few different Swedish Meatballs recipes and also the sauce packets they sell at the stores but I've never been happy with the results. One night I really wanted to make Swedish Meatballs, and after looking on multiple websites for recipes, I finally gave up and made up my own. It turned out delicious!

Provided by Ashlea Beers

Categories     Meat and Poultry Recipes     Turkey     Ground Turkey Recipes

Time 53m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 12

1 ½ pounds ground turkey
¾ cup bread crumbs
1 egg, beaten
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 teaspoons dried Italian seasoning
2 cups beef broth
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons butter
1 cup heavy whipping cream
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
¼ teaspoon ground black pepper

Steps:

  • Mix ground turkey, bread crumbs, egg, Parmesan cheese, garlic, and Italian seasoning by hand in a large bowl. Form mixture into 1 1/2-inch meatballs.
  • Place beef broth in a microwave-safe container and microwave on high until hot, about 2 minutes. Whisk flour into beef broth until smooth.
  • Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add meatballs, in batches if necessary, and cook until browned on all sides, about 2 minutes per side. Reduce heat to low. Pour in beef broth slowly over meatballs. Stir in heavy cream, Worcestershire sauce, and black pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until meatballs are cooked through, about 10 minutes.
  • Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook egg noodles, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, 8 to 10 minutes; drain. Serve meatballs and sauce over noodles.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 435.3 calories, Carbohydrate 15.2 g, Cholesterol 180.8 mg, Fat 29.4 g, Fiber 1 g, Protein 28.3 g, SaturatedFat 14.6 g, Sodium 533.5 mg, Sugar 1.3 g

TURKEY MEATBALLS



Turkey Meatballs image

Turkey meatballs are lightened up with spinach before being simmered in marinara and served over spaghetti.

Provided by Food Network

Time 45m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 13

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 onion, finely chopped
1 rib celery, finely chopped
1/2 small red bell pepper, seeded and finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 pound ground turkey
1/2 cup quick-cooking (not instant) oats
1/2 cup grated Parmesan, plus more for serving
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
One 10-ounce package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and excess moisture squeezed-out
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
4 cups prepared marinara sauce
Warm cooked spaghetti, for serving

Steps:

  • Heat the oil in a large wide pot over medium-high heat. Add the onion, celery, bell pepper and garlic and cook, stirring frequently, until soft, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a large bowl and cool. Reserve the pot.
  • Meanwhile, add the turkey, oats, Parmesan, Worcestershire, spinach, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper to the cooled vegetables. Mix well and form into 24 small meatballs.
  • Pour the marinara into the reserved pot and bring to a simmer. Add the meatballs, cover and cook, turning once or twice, until cooked through, about 8 minutes.
  • Serve the meatballs and sauce over spaghetti and serve Parmesan on the side.
  • Copyright 2016 Television Food Network, G.P. All rights reserved.

TURKEY, KALE AND OAT MEATBALLS WITH QUICK TOMATO SAUCE



Turkey, Kale and Oat Meatballs with Quick Tomato Sauce image

A full bunch of vitamin-rich kale gives these turkey meatballs their vibrant green color. Rolled oats are used as a binder in place of breadcrumbs and add an extra bit of heart-healthy fiber.

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Time 1h45m

Yield Serves 6

Number Of Ingredients 15

1/2 cup quick-cooking rolled oats
6 ounces kale, stems removed and leaves roughly chopped (about 4 packed cups)
6 ounces kale, stems removed and leaves roughly chopped (about 4 packed cups)
4 cloves garlic, finely minced
1 large yellow onion, roughly chopped
1 large egg
1/2 cup grated Parmesan
1/4 cup skim milk
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 pound 99 percent fat-free ground turkey
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
One 28-ounce can no-salt-added crushed tomatoes
2 sprigs oregano
Pinch of crushed red pepper flakes
12 ounces whole-wheat angel hair pasta

Steps:

  • Pulse the oats in a food processor until coarsely ground. Add the kale, 1 teaspoon of the minced garlic and 1/4 cup of the chopped onion, and pulse until finely chopped and the texture is crumbly. Add the egg, 2 tablespoons of the Parmesan, milk, 3/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper, and pulse until just combined. Transfer the mixture to a large mixing bowl, add the turkey and mix with your hands until well combined. Cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, bring a large pot of water to a boil.
  • Heat the oil in a large, straight-sided skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the remaining onions and 1/4 teaspoon salt, and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and lightly browned in spots, 6 to 8 minutes. Add the remaining garlic, and cook until softened, stirring constantly, about 30 seconds. Add the tomatoes, 1 1/2 cups water, 2 tablespoons of the remaining Parmesan, oregano, 1 teaspoon salt and the red pepper flakes. Stir to combine, and bring to a simmer. Cover, reduce the heat and simmer for 10 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, remove the turkey and kale mixture from the refrigerator. Shape level tablespoonfuls into round meatballs (about 36), and place on a rimmed baking sheet.
  • Remove the lid from the sauce. Use a metal spatula or 2 spoons to add the meatballs, one at a time, to the simmering sauce in a single layer. Cook, covered, until the meatballs are cooked through, about 15 minutes. Turn off the heat, and let the mixture sit, covered, for 5 minutes. Discard the oregano.
  • Meanwhile, cook the pasta in the boiling water according to package directions. Drain well.
  • To serve, divide the pasta among 6 plates or bowls. Top each serving with 7 meatballs and 1/2 cup tomato sauce. Sprinkle with the remaining Parmesan.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 480 calorie, Fat 11 grams, SaturatedFat 2.5 grams, Cholesterol 65 milligrams, Sodium 810 milligrams, Carbohydrate 62 grams, Fiber 9 grams, Protein 35 grams, Sugar 8 grams

LIGHTENED-UP TURKEY MEATBALLS



Lightened-Up Turkey Meatballs image

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Ingredients     Meat & Poultry     Turkey Recipes

Time 40m

Number Of Ingredients 12

2 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 medium yellow onion, finely diced
1 cup finely diced button mushrooms
1/2 cup dry whole-wheat breadcrumbs
1 pound spaghetti
1/3 cup fat-free milk
1 1/2 pounds ground turkey
3 tablespoons chopped fresh basil leaves, plus more torn for serving
3 tablespoons grated Pecorino Romano, divided
Coarse salt
1 large egg white, lightly beaten
7 cups marinara sauce

Steps:

  • In a medium pan, heat olive oil over medium. Saute onion and mushrooms until onion is translucent and mushrooms are soft, 5 to 7 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in breadcrumbs. Let cool to room temperature; slowly stir in milk.
  • In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook pasta according to package instructions; drain and return to pot. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, gently combine breadcrumb mixture with turkey, basil, 2 tablespoons Pecorino, 3 teaspoons salt, and egg white. Form into 30 meatballs.
  • In a medium pot, bring the marinara to a simmer. Submerge the meatballs in the sauce and simmer until cooked through, 15 to 20 minutes. Serve over spaghetti, topped with remaining tablespoon Pecorino and basil leaves.

LIGHTENED UP TURKEY MEATBALLS AND SAUCE



Lightened Up Turkey Meatballs and Sauce image

This won grand prize in that's Amore contest for Taste of Home's Healthy Cooking magazine. This will appear in the Aug/Sept issue, and there will be a mini write up on me also. This week I received a surprise from the folks at Taste of Home's healthy cooking a complimentary copy of the annual recipes in hardcover. This recipe is on the cover. Basically it is a recipe for meatballs that are lightend up by using ground turkey and baking the meatballs instead of frying. They changed it bc of sodium perimiters to 1 can of tomato sauce, I would never do it that way.

Provided by Jane Whittaker @janenov46

Categories     Other Main Dishes

Number Of Ingredients 19

1 1/2 pound(s) ground turkey
1/2 cup(s) italian bread crumbs
1 - equivelent to one egg subsitute
1/3 medium onion, chopped
1/4 teaspoon(s) sea salt, or salt subsitute to taste
1/2 teaspoon(s) black pepper
- sauce:
1 medium onion, chopped
1 medium green bell pepper, chopped
1 small zuchinni, diced
2 clove(s) garlic, minced
14 1/2 ounce(s) can diced tomatoes
90 ounce(s) six 15 ounce cans tomato sauce, i like hunts
6 ounce(s) can tomato puree
2 medium bay leaves
1 teaspoon(s) each dried oregano and sweet sweet basil
1/4 teaspoon(s) crushed red pepper, or more to taste
1 teaspoon(s) dried parsley
1/2 teaspoon(s) each salt or salt subsitute and pepper, or to taste

Steps:

  • Pre heat oven to 350°
  • Combine all meat ball ingredients.
  • Line a cookie sheet with aluminum foil (no cleanup).
  • Make meatballs as large as you like them I like mine on the small side, about 1 inches around.
  • Bakefor 25 to 30 minutes, until browned, turning a few times. They will finish up cooking in the sauce.
  • While meatballs are browning, chop all your veggies, and line the slow cooker with a disposable liner.
  • Put veggies in the slowcooker and all the rest of the sauce ingredients, stir to combine.
  • Add the meatballs and turn cooker on low. Cover and cook for 6 hours.
  • Nice served over spaghetti, and with a salad an garlic bread.

Tips:

  • Use ground turkey breast for a leaner meatball.
  • Add vegetables to the meatballs, such as grated zucchini or carrots, to boost their nutritional value.
  • Use a lightened-up sauce, such as a tomato sauce made with fresh tomatoes and herbs, or a yogurt-based sauce.
  • Bake the meatballs instead of frying them to reduce fat and calories.
  • Serve the meatballs with whole-wheat pasta or quinoa for a healthy meal.

Conclusion:

Lightened-up turkey meatballs and sauce is a healthier version of a classic comfort food. By using lean ground turkey, vegetables, and a lightened-up sauce, you can enjoy a delicious and satisfying meal without all the guilt. This dish is also a great way to get your kids to eat more vegetables. Serve it with whole-wheat pasta or quinoa for a complete meal.

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