Easy Mini Turkey Meatballs with Tomato Sauce
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This mini turkey meatballs recipe is one you’ll want to keep! It’s simple to make and cooked in tomato sauce, making it juicy and flavorful. Serve it with creamy spinach, white rice, spaghetti, or mashed potatoes, or enjoy it with crusty bread. Perfect for an easy dinner!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- I make meatballs often with different kinds of meat, but these simple mini turkey meatballs are our favorite. Even if you have picky eaters who don’t usually like turkey, they’ll never know it’s in there!
- These meatballs are a mix of ground turkey and spices, and when cooked in marinara sauce, they turn out incredibly juicy and flavorful.
- You’ll be so impressed by the taste and texture that you won’t even think about what kind of meat they’re made from. This might just become a go-to recipe for you!
Why Cook Meatballs with Turkey
A balanced diet is essential if we want to lead a healthy lifestyle. And this is achievable if we seriously take care of what we eat. This includes choosing the right amount of vegetables, healthy grain, and healthy meats.
Turkey meat is light white meat with many health benefits and satisfies these requirements. Meatballs are typically prepared with either beef or pork. All three offer many advantages in terms of protein, minerals, and vitamins in comparable amounts.
But the most significant difference between them is in the fat content. And specifically, the type of fat that is not good for your heart health is saturated fat. According to the USDA, a 100 g portion (a recommended meat portion is 3 oz or 85 gr) of cooked ground turkey, ground beef, and ground pork contains:
| Ground Turkey | Ground Beef | Ground Pork | |
| Protein | 27.4 g | 25.5 g | 25.7 g |
| Total fat | 10.4 g | 16.8 g | 20.8 g |
| Total saturated fat | 2.67 g | 6.45 g | 7.72 gr |
If your doctor has advised you to watch your fat intake or if you’re aiming to keep your heart healthy, turkey meat can be a lighter choice. Remember, choosing lean cuts of any meat will help reduce saturated fat per serving—just like in this healthy Mini Turkey Meatballs recipe!
How to Prepare Turkey Meatballs from Scratch
The best meatballs are juicy and moist, but with turkey meat, that can sometimes be a challenge. Not to worry—there’s an easy fix! Here’s the simplest method I recommend, along with the ingredients you’ll need for these delicious meatballs:
- 1 lb (16 oz, 454 g) of lean ground turkey (I used 93% lean, 7% fat), enough to make 12-15 mini meatballs.
- Add the ground turkey to a large mixing bowl.
- Finely chop a small onion and add it to the bowl.
- Take one slice of bread (white or whole-wheat) and soak it in warm water for a few minutes until it’s mushy, then add it to the turkey.
- Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
- Add 1 teaspoon of dried oregano.
- Chop 1/2 cup of fresh parsley and add it to the mixture.
- Add 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda (to keep the meat tender and moist).
- (Optional) Beat one large egg in a separate bowl and add it to the mix for extra binding.
- Using clean hands, mix everything well.
- Form small meatballs (about golf-ball size) and arrange them in a single layer on a large plate.
- Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes to help them hold their shape when cooking.
Quick Tip!
To avoid the mixture sticking to your hands while making balls, wet your hands by sprinkling little oil on the palms of your hands.
How to Cook Turkey Meatballs with Tomato Sauce
- After about 30 minutes, take the turkey meatballs out of the fridge. Use a deep, wide skillet so you can cook the meatballs in oil first, then add tomato sauce and water until you reach the desired consistency.
- Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat.
- Add the meatballs in a single layer to the skillet. Cook on medium-high heat, turning occasionally, until browned on all sides (about 5-10 minutes). Lower the heat as needed to avoid burning.
- Once browned, add 1 cup of tomato sauce (homemade or store-bought in a glass jar) and 1 cup of water. Partially cover the skillet, and let the sauce simmer on medium-low heat until it thickens, about 15-20 minutes. Adjust the amount of sauce or water to your preference.
- For tomato sauce, I prefer options in glass jars over cans due to health concerns about canned foods—here’s why if you’re interested. One of my favorite sauces is from Whole Foods.
Frequently Asked Questions
First, cook the meatballs in olive oil until they start to brown on all sides, about 5-10 minutes. Then, add the tomato sauce and water, partially cover the pan, and let the meatballs simmer on low heat until the sauce thickens. This may take 15 to 25 minutes, depending on your stove.
These mini meatballs are delicious served with creamy spinach, rice, spaghetti, or mashed potatoes.
Yes, they definitely are! If you’re watching your fat intake or aiming to keep your heart healthy, turkey meat is a great choice. Check the section above to see how turkey compares to beef and pork in terms of health benefits.
These mini turkey meatballs with tomato sauce will stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to three days. Be sure to store them in a tightly sealed container. I always recommend using glass containers instead of plastic for storing leftovers.
Wrapping Up
In conclusion, these mini turkey meatballs are a delicious and healthy choice for anyone looking to enjoy a flavorful meal while keeping their diet balanced. With the benefits of lean turkey meat, these mini meatballs offer a lighter alternative to traditional beef or pork options, making them a heart-healthy option.
Want more from my turkey collection? Try my popular Turkey Ragu—you’ll love it!
I’d love to hear your feedback and any creative twists you try. Don’t be shy; share your thoughts in the comments below!
Get In Touch!
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Mini Turkey Meatballs with Tomato Sauce
Ingredients
- 1 lb lean ground turkey (93% lean, 7% fat)
- 1 onion small, finely chopped
- 1 slice bread white or whole-wheat, soaked in warm water
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 teaspoon oregano dried
- 1/2 cup parsley fresh, chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda optional, for tenderness
- 1 egg optional, for extra binding
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 cup tomato sauce homemade or store-bought in a glass jar
- 1 cup water
Instructions
Prepare the Meatball Mixture
- Place the ground turkey in a mixing bowl.
- Finely chop one small onion and add it to the bowl.
- Soak a slice of bread (white or whole-wheat) in warm water for a few minutes until it’s mushy, then add it to the meat mixture.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Add 1 teaspoon of dried oregano and 1/2 cup of chopped fresh parsley.
- Add about 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda to keep the meatballs tender and moist.
- Crack and beat one egg, then add it to the mixture.
- Using clean hands, mix everything together until evenly combined.
Form and Chill the Meatballs
- Shape the mixture into small balls and arrange them in a single layer on a large plate.
- Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes to help them hold their shape when cooking.
Cook the Meatballs
- After chilling, take the meatballs out of the fridge. Use a deep, wide dish to cook them since you’ll start by frying in oil, then add tomato sauce and water.
- Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in the dish over medium heat.
- Add the meatballs in a single layer and cook for 5-10 minutes, turning occasionally until they are browned on all sides. Lower the heat as needed to prevent burning.
Simmer in Sauce
- Once browned, add 1 cup of tomato sauce and 1 cup of water to the pan.
- Partially cover and let the meatballs simmer on low heat until the sauce thickens, about 15-25 minutes, depending on your stove. Add extra sauce or water to adjust the consistency as desired.
- This recipe makes about 4 servings, with each serving containing 3-4 mini turkey meatballs (assuming the recipe yields 12-15 meatballs in total).
Video
Notes
- These are the nutrition facts for 1 serving of this recipe. Total servings for this recipe: 4 people.
- Refer to the post above for video instructions and other useful information.
- Nutrition information is an estimate and will depend on your specific ingredients.
- Quick Tip: To avoid the mixture sticking to your hands while making balls, wet your hands by sprinkling little oil on the palms of your hands.
