Ingredients
Scale
To create these delicious turkey meatballs in tomato sauce, youโll need the following ingredients:
For the Turkey Meatballs:
- 1 pound ground turkey
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs (whole wheat or panko)
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 1 large egg
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (for frying)
For the Tomato Sauce:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional for heat)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh basil leaves for garnish
Instructions
Making the Turkey Meatballs:
- Prepare the Meatball Mixture:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground turkey, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, parsley, egg, garlic, onion powder, oregano, salt, and black pepper.
- Mix the ingredients gently using your hands until well combined. Avoid over-mixing, as this can make the meatballs tough.
- Shape the Meatballs:
- Roll the mixture into small balls, about 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter. You should have approximately 18-20 meatballs.
- Cook the Meatballs:
- Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add the meatballs in batches, being careful not to overcrowd the pan.
- Cook the meatballs for about 8-10 minutes, turning occasionally until they are browned on all sides and cooked through.
- Remove the meatballs from the skillet and set aside on a plate.
Preparing the Tomato Sauce:
- Sautรฉ the Aromatics:
- In the same skillet, add 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat.
- Add the chopped onion and sautรฉ for about 3-4 minutes until translucent.
- Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute until fragrant.
- Simmer the Sauce:
- Add the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, dried basil, oregano, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper to the skillet.
- Stir well to combine and bring the sauce to a gentle simmer.
- Combine Meatballs and Sauce:
- Carefully place the cooked meatballs into the simmering tomato sauce.
- Cover and let the meatballs simmer in the sauce for 15-20 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.
- Garnish and Serve:
- Before serving, garnish with fresh basil leaves for an added touch of flavor and color.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: one normal portion
- Calories: 320
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Protein: 28g