Tender Baked Turkey Meatballs Recipe Perfect for Easy Homemade Dinner
These tender baked turkey meatballs with rich marinara sauce are a quick, easy, and healthier twist on classic meatballs, perfect for family dinners and gatherings.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 18 meatballs (about 4 servings) 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound (450 g) ground turkey, lean or mix of light and dark meat
- 1/2 cup (50 g) breadcrumbs, plain or Italian seasoned
- 1/4 cup (25 g) Parmesan cheese, finely grated
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small onion, finely chopped or grated
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil, for drizzling before baking
- 2 cups (480 ml) marinara sauce, store-bought or homemade
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat.
- In a large bowl, combine ground turkey, breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan, beaten egg, minced garlic, chopped onion, chopped parsley, salt, and pepper. Mix gently until just combined.
- Shape the mixture into 1 1/2-inch (about 4 cm) meatballs, making about 18 meatballs.
- Place the meatballs evenly spaced on the baking sheet. Drizzle olive oil over them.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, flipping the meatballs halfway through baking to brown both sides. Ensure internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
- While baking, warm marinara sauce in a large skillet over medium heat until it simmers gently.
- Transfer baked meatballs into the marinara sauce carefully. Spoon sauce over the meatballs and simmer together for 5 minutes.
- Serve hot over cooked pasta, zucchini noodles, or with crusty bread. Garnish with extra parsley or shaved Parmesan if desired.
Notes
Do not overmix the meat to keep meatballs tender. Flip meatballs halfway through baking for even browning. Check internal temperature to avoid drying out. Simmering meatballs in sauce keeps them juicy and flavorful. Adjust breadcrumbs or milk if mixture is too wet or dry. For gluten-free, use almond flour or gluten-free panko. For dairy-free, omit Parmesan or use dairy-free cheese.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 4 meatballs wi
- Calories: 280320
- Sugar: 35
- Sodium: 400
- Fat: 12
- Saturated Fat: 2.5
- Carbohydrates: 1015
- Fiber: 23
- Protein: 28
Keywords: turkey meatballs, baked meatballs, easy dinner, homemade meatballs, marinara sauce, healthy meatballs, family meal