Description

Juicy ground turkey meatballs baked to perfection and simmered in a savory marinara sauce. This recipe is designed for meal prep and lunchboxes, staying moist and delicious even after reheating.

Ingredients

Scale

1.5 pounds ground turkey (93% lean)
½ cup dried breadcrumbs
¼ cup milk
1 large egg
3 cloves garlic, minced
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
2 cups marinara sauce
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 small onion, finely diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon dried oregano
½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
1 teaspoon honey or sugar (optional)

Instructions

Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add diced onion and cook for 3-4 minutes until soft and translucent.
Add minced garlic and oregano to the skillet; cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
Pour in marinara sauce and red pepper flakes. Stir well and let simmer gently on low heat while preparing meatballs.
In a large mixing bowl, combine breadcrumbs and milk. Let sit for 2 minutes to form a panade.
Add ground turkey, egg, Parmesan, minced garlic, parsley, salt, and pepper to the bowl.
Mix gently with hands until just combined. Do not overmix to avoid tough meatballs.
Roll mixture into 1.5-inch balls (about 16-18 meatballs) and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Bake meatballs for 15 minutes until browned and cooked through.
Transfer baked meatballs directly into the saucepan with warm marinara.
Stir gently to coat and let sit in the sauce for 2-3 minutes to absorb flavor and finish cooking.

Notes

Use 93% lean turkey for best texture; 99% lean can be dry. Do not overmix the meat mixture. Let meatballs rest in the sauce after baking to keep them juicy. For lunchboxes, let cool completely before packing to prevent sogginess.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Category: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

Serving Size: 4 meatballs per serv
Calories: 280
Sugar: 6
Sodium: 650
Fat: 12
Saturated Fat: 3
Carbohydrates: 18
Fiber: 2
Protein: 22

Keywords: ground turkey meatballs, marinara sauce, lunchbox recipes, meal prep, healthy dinner, easy weeknight meals, turkey meatballs