Meatballs are always a crowd pleaser. The ones in this Italian Turkey Meatball recipe happily wallow in a pan of homemade tomato sauce.
When my husband and I lived in New York City years ago, we regularly hit various Italian restaurants around the city, from the authentic joints in Little Italy to the family-style place near our apartment. While we had our fair share of risotto and shrimp Parmesan (one of my favorites), what sticks in my mind is the tomato sauce. Simple, fresh and beyond flavorful! Even though I’m sure the sauces were being whipped up by some twenty-something chef phenoms, I liked to imagine that an Italian nonna was back in the kitchen, putting together our meals with a pinch of love.
These meatballs in tomato sauce remind me of those New York experiences, though I can’t claim to have the touch of an Italian nonna. That being said, this is one of those meals that will appeal to everyone in the family, and is rather forgiving. Lopsided meatballs…no big deal! Too much sauce…fuh-get about it!
Typically when I make meatballs, such as my Baked Teriyaki Turkey Meatballs or Baked Turkey, Quinoa & Zucchini Meatballs, I make morsels that can be consumed in one or two bites. But these…these are serious meatballs. They bake in about 20 minutes, which gives you just enough time to whip up the tomato sauce.
These meatballs can be served over pasta or rice, or eaten solo – whatever appeals to you.
Other healthy ground turkey recipes:
Cookin’ Canuck’s Turkey Cannelloni with Roasted Peppers & Spinach
Cookin’ Canuck’s Turkey Taco Twice-Baked Potatoes
The Spiced Life’s Indian Burrito Bowl
TermiNatetor Kitchen’s Thai Baked Egg Rolls
Chocolate & Sea Salt’s Quinoa Turkey Taco Bake
Italian Turkey Meatballs in Tomato Sauce Recipe
| Nutrition Facts | |
|---|---|
| Serving Size | 2 meatballs + ¾ c sauce | |
| Amount Per Serving | As Served |
| Calories 351kcal Calories from fat 120 | |
| % Daily Value | |
| Total Fat 13g | 20% |
| Saturated Fat 3g | 15% |
| Transfat 0g | |
| Cholesterol 118mg | 39% |
| Sodium 1107mg | 46% |
| Carbohydrate 33g | 11% |
| Dietary Fiber 7g | 28% |
| Sugars 15g | |
| Protein 30g | |
Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs:
| Calories | 2000 | |
|---|---|---|
| Total Fat | Less than | 65g |
| Sat Fat | Less than | 25g |
| Cholesterol | Less than | 300mg |
| Sodium | Less than | 2,400mg |
| Total Carbohydrate | 300g | |
| Dietary Fiber | 25g | |
Meatballs are always a crowd pleaser. These healthy turkey ones happily wallow in a pan of homemade tomato sauce.
Ingredients
The meatballs
- 1 lb. extra-lean ground turkey
- 1/2 medium onion, grated
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/4 cup minced flat-leaf parsley
- 1/4 cup whole wheat breadcrumbs
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp ground oregano
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp ground pepper
The sauce
- 2 tsp olive oil
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tsp ground oregano
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp ground pepper
- 1 (28 oz.) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 (14 oz.) can crushed tomatoes
- 1/4 cup minced flat-leaf parsley
- 4 basil leaves, thinly sliced
Instructions
The meatballs:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly coat a baking sheet with cooking spray.
- In a large bowl, stir together the ground turkey, onion, garlic, parsley, breadcrumbs, egg, oregano, salt and pepper.
- Divide the mixture into 8 portions, form into balls and place on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake until the meatballs are firm to the touch and cooked through, 15 to 20 minutes.
The sauce:
- Heat the olive oil in a large nonstick skillet set over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
- Stir in the garlic, oregano, salt and pepper, and cook for 1 minute.
- Add the crushed tomatoes, bring the sauce to a boil, and then simmer for 10 minutes. Stir in the parsley and basil.
- Nestle the meatballs into the sauce and spoon sauce over to coat the meatballs.
- Serve over pasta or rice, or on their own.
Recipe Notes
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Ali | Gimme Some Oven says
These are beautiful, Dara!! (Ha, and I love what you said about the twenty-something phenoms. So true.)
The Food Hunter says
these meatballs look delicious and I love how healthy they are.
Robyn Stone | Add a Pinch says
I’m with you – I could dive on in to the dish of these yummy meatballs and sauce! Delicious!
Paula-bell'alimento says
We’ve been eating a lot of turkey lately. Love these flavorful meatballs Dara.
Stephanie @ Back for Seconds says
Beautiful photos 🙂 I think I know what I’m making for dinner tonight! This sounds so so good!
christine says
I’ve been trying to swap turkey in place of beef in a lot of recipes lately. Can’t wait to try out your meatball recipe.
Jocelyn @BruCrew Life says
Now that is a meatball dinner! I love the size and the homemade sauce!! Perfect dinner choice!!!
Brenda@Sugar-Free Mom says
I love your spin on the typical Italian meatball made healthier but still looks so comforting!
Catherine says
Dear Dara, these meatballs looks marvelous. Love this lighter version. It sounds wonderful! xo, Catherine
Gwen @SimplyHealthyFamily says
How amazing to live in such a food cultured city, 2o something chef’s or not 😉
These look like the perfect meatballs! Saving and sharing!
Jeanette | Jeanette's Healthy Living says
I don’t know anyone who can turn down meatballs – love this healthy version!
Heather | girlichef says
Sometimes you just need a big-ah meat-ah ball! (that was my attempt at writing with an Italian acccent…) I love the sound of the meatballs and the simple, vibrant sauce!
Yvonne [Tried and Tasty] says
I’ve been dying to have meatballs, these look absolutely perfect!
Julie | This Gal Cooks says
I totally want to swim in a bowl of these meatballs! They are perfect!
Valerie | From Valerie's Kitchen says
Love the method and love meatballs made with ground turkey! A simple tomato sauce is the perfect complement to these. Pinning 🙂
Lisa @ Healthy Nibbles & Bits says
I have been so into meatballs lately as well! I just make a huge batch at the beginning of the week and it lasts for days! Pinning this for later!
Kim (Feed Me, Seymour) says
Meatballs are the one thing no one in my family can resist. Your version looks fantastic!
Allis says
I saw your recipe just before my weekly trip to the store yesterday and I am so glad that I did. I made this dish last night for dinner and it was fantastic! Both the meatballs and the sauce were very flavorful. I will be making this again. Thanks!
bev @ bevcooks says
HALLO, LOVAH.
Bea says
Oh those look delicious – I may have a personal weakness for meatballs in tomato sauce. Yum!
Susan says
There is nothing as satisfying as a really good meatball in red sauce. Looking at these photos and I think yours would do the trick.
Renee - Kudos Kitchen says
I’m finding that I enjoy a turkey meatball even more than a ground beef meatball these days. As long as they’re not dry. These look great, Dara. Very pretty pictures too!
olivia - Primavera Kitchen says
And now you made me miss meatballs. I think it tastes as good as it looks on the picture 😉
Kim Beaulieu says
I’m not sure I knew you lived in New York for awhile. Such a fun city. I love these meatballs so much. There is nothing more comforting than a big helping of meatballs. And you’ve made them healthier so I can eat more and not feel guilty.
Claudia ellis says
Made these turkey meatballs and tomato sauce with spaghetti pasta for dinner last night. It was a huge hit with the family. Love love love the turkey meatball version, so juicy and flavorful! And best of all, it came together so quickly! Won’t be buying frozen meatballs ever again!!!
Laura says
Thanks for the shout-out! The meatballs look delicious!