Garlic Parmesan Turkey Meatballs
Why These Garlic Parmesan Turkey Meatballs Are So Popular
Turkey meatballs make a healthier alternative since turkey is such a lean meat. But, just because they are leaner and healthier, it does not mean that these meatballs are any less juicy and flavorful.
Some brands make a variety of lean to fat ratio in ground turkey but the most common one is 93%/7% meat to fat. This ground turkey will work great for meatballs.
I don’t recommend extra lean ground turkey because every time I’ve tried it, meat comes out too dry. No matter how much you want to keep the fat out, there just has to be some fat for a moist, juicy meatball.
These meatballs can be served without sauce, of course.
I’ve paired these turkey meatballs with some creamy garlic Parmesan sauce. It’s very easy to whisk together and cook with meatballs. Even if the meatballs are prepared ahead of time or frozen, this sauce can easily be whipped up in a couple of minutes and added to meatballs while reheating.
How to Make Garlic Parmesan Turkey Meatballs
These meatballs are made on stove top and in the oven, so use an oven-safe pan to cook.
- Prepare the meat first by combining the ingredients in the mixing bowl and mixing them well.
- Start preheating the pan on medium heat while rolling the meatballs. Preheat oven to 350.
- Lyuba’s Favorite Tip: use a cookie scoop to get an even amount of meat mixture so the meatballs are all the same. I like to use #40 cookie scoop.
- Roll the meatballs and place them on a cutting board of parchment paper while the pan is preheating.
- Add oil and place meatballs in the pan. Cook for a few minutes on one side. Gently shake the pan to loosen the meatballs and flip each meatball.
- Whisk sauce ingredients together and pour it all over the meatballs.
- Transfer the pan into the oven and bake for 15-18 minutes.
- Take out and garnish with a little more shaved Parmesan cheese and parsley.
Can I Freeze These Meatballs?
These turkey meatballs can be frozen but without sauce:
- To freeze them, cook the meatballs per recipe searing and then baking them but don’t add the sauce. Cool them to room temperature and transfer them into a zip-top bag. Seal, label, get the air out, and freeze for up to 2 months.
- Thaw the meatballs in the refrigerator overnight.
- To prepare the meatballs with sauce, place thawed meatballs in a baking dish and add sauce. Bake for about 10 minutes, until sauce bubbles around the edges.
Can these meatballs be gluten free?
Yes! To make these meatballs gluten free you simply swap a regular slice of bread for gluten free bread. Sauce is already gluten free because it’s made with corn starch.
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Turkey Meatballs In Creamy Garlic Parmesan Sauce Recipe
Ingredients
Turkey Meatballs:
- 2 lbs ground turkey 93/7% lean
- 1 small onion finely diced
- 6 garlic cloves
- 1 extra large egg
- 2 oz slice of bread
- 2 tbsp milk for soaking bread
- 2 tbsp minced fresh parsley
- 1/2 cup shaved Parmesan cheese
- 2 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
- salt
Garlic Parmesan Sauce:
- 1 cup chicken stock or broth
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 2 cloves of garlic
- 1 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 cup dry Parmesan cheese
- 1 tbsp minced fresh parsley
- 1 1/2 tbsp corn starch
- salt
- fresh cracked black pepper
Garnish:
- shaved Parmesan cheese
- minced fresh parsley
Instructions
- These meatballs are made on stove top and in the oven, so use an oven-safe pan to cook.
- Gently squeeze out the milk from the bread, place wet bread in the mixing bowl and break it up into small pieces. Add remaining ingredients for the meatballs and mix everything well.
- Start preheating the pan on medium heat while rolling the meatballs. Preheat oven to 350.
- Use a cookie scoop to get an even amount of meat mixture so the meatballs are all the same. I like to use #40 cookie scoop. (If you don’t have a scoop, just roll the meatballs freehand but try to get them the same size.)
- Roll the meatballs and place them on a cutting board of parchment paper while the pan is preheating.
- Add oil to the pan and place meatballs in the pan. Cook for a few minutes on one side. Gently shake the pan to loosen the meatballs and flip each meatball.
- Whisk sauce ingredients together and pour it all over the meatballs.
- Transfer the pan into the oven and bake for 15-18 minutes.
- Take out the meatballs and garnish with a some shaved Parmesan cheese and parsley.
Video
Nutrition
Some More Dinner Recipes To Try:
Sweet Chili Sauce Turkey Meatballs
Turkey Meatballs with Parmesan Cream Sauce
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Categories:
Appetizer Recipes, Dinner Recipes, New Year's Eve Recipes, Super Bowl Recipes, Turkey Recipes,All images and text ©Lyubov Brooke for ©Will Cook For Smiles. Please do not use my images without prior permission. If using my posts in collections and features, please link back to this post for the recipe.
Disclaimer: Nutrition information shown is not guaranteed to be 100% accurate as most ingredients and brands have variations.
Would you alter the sauce ingredients if you used frozen Turkey meatballs and heated them in a crockpot?
Love this recipe! Thanks for sharing. I had to use breadchrumbs but it still came out great.
Jess, I am so glad you liked it 🙂
Super yummy! It would be great to have the measurements also for European in grams and milliliter instead of cups. Or both. I loved it. It made it to the make it regular recipe book tonight. Thanks a million!
Katalin, thanks for your comment! I am so glad you liked it!
What else did you make to eat with these meatballs? 🙂
That was my question too!
Hi, Ladies! I make these as either an appetizer like is or for dinner you can serve over rice with your favorite veggies. 🙂
I have made the meatballs this am and will make sauce/pasta to accompany for lunch. Very flavorful dish. Used veg. broth in place of milk and added sage and sazon.
That’s great to hear! Thank you so much 🙂
Enjoy!
Not seeing the recipe for this pin
Hi there! The recipe card should be right above the long photo. Here is the direct link for the recipe card: https://www.willcookforsmiles.com/wprm_print/21379
I hope this helps!
I’m must be blind, what is oven temp supposed to be?
Hi, Kelly! It is step 3 and its 350! Hope you enjoy them! 🙂
How much bread do soak in the milk?
Hi Kelly!
I usually estimate 2 ounces. Depending on the brand and type of bread, that will be one or two slices. I hope this helps!
Do you think these could be made in a crock pot either raw meatballs cooking in the sauce, or the thawed (pre-cooked the day before) meatballs and sauce just simmering on low for a while?
Hi, Holly! I would precook the meatballs first then add them to the crockpot!
What do you mean by “dry” Parmesan? Is that the Parmesan in the green lidded can, or are you referring to the bags of shredded?
Hi Katherine!
Yes, you are correct. I meat the one that is in the green lidded jar and not one that is freshly grated or shaved.
Thanks so much for your prompt reply. Can’t wait to try this recipe! Looks amazing!
I mad this the other day and did not notice that called for dry paresean. I used some freshly grated paresean and the recipe turned out delicious.
Hey lyuba,
how much you are grinding the meat ? the blade size ?
Hi Kristy!
There are about 4 meatballs per serving. The whole recipe should make about 40 meatballs scooped with a #40 cookie scoop. I hope this helps and you enjoy the meatballs!
How much is a serving size according to nutrition label
Hi Kristy!
There are about 4 meatballs per serving. The whole recipe should make about 40 meatballs scooped with a #40 cookie scoop. I hope this helps and you enjoy the meatballs!