Dinner · Turkey

Baked Turkey Meatballs

Tender, Parmesan-flecked turkey meatballs baked on a sheet pan. Serve with marinara over pasta or in subs.

⏱ 40 min (20 min prep, 20 min cooking) 🍽 Serves 6 · about 5 meatballs kid friendlymake aheadbudgetfreezer friendlyleftovers
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ContainsMilk, Eggs, Wheat. Check the labels on what you buy; brands differ.

Ingredients

Make 6 servings

  • Meatballs

  • ½ cup Panko breadcrumbs
  • ⅓ cup Whole milk
  • 1½ lb Ground turkey, 93% lean
  • 1 Eggs, large
  • ⅓ cup Grated Parmesan
  • 2 clove Garlic, minced
  • 2 tbsp Fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • ¾ tsp Table salt
  • ¼ tsp Ground black pepper

  • To serve

  • 1 jar Marinara or pasta sauce (jar)

Make it yourself

Make the panko-style crumbs yourself → Make the italian seasoning yourself → Make the marinara and pizza sauce yourself →

In the planner, Make it on the shopping list swaps the store item for these ingredients and puts the work on your prep day.

Nutrition

Nutrition coming: the USDA numbers for these ingredients are being added.

Steps

You’ll need: rimmed baking sheet, mixing bowl, instant-read thermometer.

  1. Heat the oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with foil and oil it lightly.
  2. In a large bowl, soak the panko in the milk 5 minutes. Add the turkey, egg, Parmesan, garlic, parsley, Italian seasoning, salt and pepper and mix gently with your hands.
  3. Roll into about 30 balls, 1 1/2 inches across (wet hands help), and set them on the sheet. Wash your hands.
  4. Bake 18 to 20 minutes, until browned and an instant-read thermometer in the center of a meatball reads 165°F.
  5. Warm the marinara in a large pot, add the meatballs and simmer a few minutes. Serve over pasta or in rolls.

🌡 Safe temperaturesGround turkey or chicken 165°F. Check the thickest part with a food thermometer (USDA). More on food safety.

Make aheadBake up to 3 days ahead and keep in the fridge. Reheat in the sauce to 165°F.
❄️ FreezerFreeze baked meatballs on a tray, then bag them, for 3 to 4 months. Reheat from frozen in simmering sauce to 165°F.
↺ LeftoversMake meatball subs with leftovers and a little cheese; reheat to 165°F.
🧒 With kidsKids can roll the meatballs. Wash hands well before and after.
Dairy-free swapLeave out the Parmesan and use unsweetened plant milk.
Gluten-free swapUse gluten-free crumbs and check the marinara label.

Goes well with

🥖 Garlic Bread🥬 Simple Green Salad

Good to know

Fresh vs. dried herbs Table salt vs. kosher salt vs. sea salt Food Safety Basics

An original Teddy Rook Book recipe. Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central and changes with brands and portions.

@teddyrookbook GitHub Sources and credits