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Tender, juicy turkey meatballs simmered in a rich, homemade marinara sauce. This lighter take on a classic Italian-American comfort food is perfect over spaghetti or in a hearty meatball sub, ready in under an hour.
Prepare the Meatball Mixture
Form and Brown the Meatballs
Start the Marinara Sauce
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Tender, juicy turkey meatballs simmered in a rich, homemade marinara sauce. This lighter take on a classic Italian-American comfort food is perfect over spaghetti or in a hearty meatball sub, ready in under an hour.
This italian_american recipe takes 50 minutes to prepare and yields 4 servings. At 606.46 calories per serving with 55.9g of protein, it's a beginner-friendly recipe perfect for lunch or dinner.
Simmer the Meatballs in Sauce
Garnish and Serve
Increase the red pepper flakes to 1/2 or 1 teaspoon, or add a tablespoon of Calabrian chili paste to the sauce for a fiery kick.
Press a small cube of low-moisture mozzarella or provolone into the center of each meatball before rolling it into a sphere. The cheese will become wonderfully melted inside.
Incorporate other finely chopped fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary into the meatball mixture for a more complex flavor profile.
Finely dice and sauté vegetables like carrots, celery, or mushrooms with the onion for the sauce to add extra nutrients and flavor.
Ground turkey is packed with high-quality protein, which is essential for muscle building, tissue repair, and maintaining a feeling of fullness, aiding in weight management.
The cooked tomatoes in the marinara sauce are a fantastic source of lycopene, a powerful antioxidant linked to a reduced risk of certain chronic diseases and improved heart health.
Compared to traditional meatballs made with beef or pork, turkey meatballs are significantly lower in saturated fat, making them a better choice for cardiovascular health and cholesterol management.
A single serving of 4 meatballs with sauce (without pasta or bread) contains approximately 480-550 calories, depending on the leanness of the turkey and the amount of oil used.
Yes, they are a healthy choice. Turkey is a lean source of protein, lower in saturated fat and calories compared to beef. The tomato-based sauce is also rich in vitamins and antioxidants like lycopene.
Absolutely. To bake, arrange the meatballs on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake at 400°F (200°C) for 15-20 minutes, or until browned. Then, add them to the simmering sauce to finish cooking.
To ensure moist meatballs, use turkey that is not overly lean (93% is ideal), don't overmix the meat mixture, and include moisture-adding ingredients like grated onion and egg. Simmering them in the sauce also helps keep them tender.
Yes, it's easy to adapt. Simply substitute the panko breadcrumbs with your favorite gluten-free breadcrumbs or even crushed gluten-free crackers or rolled oats.
Store leftover meatballs and sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat or in the microwave. This dish also freezes beautifully for up to 3 months.