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Meatballs · Baked Turkey

Baked Turkey Meatballs

Light, tender turkey meatballs baked on a sheet pan, so there's no frying and no splatter. Simmer them in marinara or tuck them into subs.

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Prep
20 min
Cook
20 min
Total
45 min
Serves
4 · about 20 meatballs
Level
Easy

Ingredients

  • ½ cup panko
  • ⅓ cup whole milk
  • 1 large egg
  • ½ cup parmesan, finely grated
  • 3 cloves garlic, grated
  • ¼ cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
  • 1 tsp italian seasoning
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • 1 ¼ lb ground turkey, 93% lean
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 3 cups marinara sauce, warmed, for serving (optional)

Cook to 165°F inside (check with a thermometer).

Steps

  1. Heat the oven to 400°F. Line a rimmed sheet pan with parchment and brush it with the oil.
  2. Stir the panko and milk together in a large bowl and let it soak until soft.
  3. Add the egg, parmesan, garlic, parsley, Italian seasoning, salt and pepper and mix well.
  4. Add the turkey and mix gently with your hands just until combined. Overmixing makes meatballs tough.
  5. Wet your hands and roll the mixture into 1 1/2-inch balls (about 2 tablespoons each). Set them on the pan with a little space between.
  6. Bake until lightly browned and 165°F (74°C) in the center of a large meatball.
  7. Serve as is, or simmer the baked meatballs in warm marinara for 5 minutes to soak up the sauce.

Tip: Wet hands keep the mixture from sticking while you roll.

Tip: Don't use 99% lean turkey here; a little fat keeps the meatballs moist.

Tip: Use a separate cutting board for raw poultry, and wash hands, boards and knives in hot soapy water after handling it. Don't rinse raw chicken; it only spreads germs around the sink.

Storage: Refrigerate in an airtight container within 2 hours, up to 4 days. Freeze cooled meatballs on a tray, then bag them, up to 3 months. Reheat in sauce until 165°F.

Estimated nutrition per serving: 350 calories · protein 35 g · carbohydrates 9 g · fiber <1 g · sugars 2 g · fat 20 g (saturated 6 g) · sodium 820 mg. Estimate from USDA FoodData Central; not medical or dietary advice. Based on 11 of 11 ingredients.