Simple Italian Turkey Meatballs

One package of ground turkey can become several delicious meals with just a little planning. These tender Italian Turkey Meatballs are seasoned with classic herbs and Parmesan cheese, then baked until juicy and lightly browned. Serve them with marinara over pasta tonight, then transform the leftovers into sandwiches, rice bowls, and soup throughout the week.

Making a double batch takes only a few extra minutes, but it can save hours of cooking later in the week. It’s a simple way to stretch your grocery budget without sacrificing flavor.

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Simple Italian Turkey Meatballs

Thesetender Italian Turkey Meatballs are seasoned with classic herbs and Parmesancheese, then baked until juicy and lightly browned.

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Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Total Time 45 minutes mins

Servings: 8

Course: Dinner, Lunch, Main Course

Cuisine: American

Calories: 275

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 2 pounds lean ground turkey 93% lean
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup Italian-seasoned breadcrumbs
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 tablespoons minced onion
• 3 cloves garlic minced
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley or 2 teaspoons dried
• 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper optional
• 2 tablespoons milk
• Olive oil spray

Method

 

1. Preheat oven to 400°F.
2. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly spray with cooking spray.
3. Combine all ingredients in a large bowl. Mix gently until just combined. Overmixing can make turkey meatballs dense.
4. Scoop into approximately 24 meatballs, about 2 tablespoons each.
5. Arrange on prepared baking sheet, leaving a little space between each meatball.
6. Lightly spray the tops with olive oil.
7. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
8. Serve immediately with your favorite marinara sauce over pasta, zucchini noodles, or roasted vegetables.

Notes

Alternate Cooking Methods

Air Fryer

Cook at 380°F for 10-12 minutes, turning halfway through.

Skillet

Brown meatballs in 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium heat for about 8 minutes. Finish cooking by simmering in marinara sauce for 10-15 minutes.

Slow Cooker

Brown meatballs first, then place in marinara sauce and cook on Low for 3-4 hours.

Storage

Refrigerator: Up to 4 days.

Freezer: Freeze cooked meatballs in freezer bags or airtight containers for up to 3 months.

Meal Prep Plan

Use these meatballs all week!

• Sunday: Serve with marinara and your favorite side.
• Monday: Italian Turkey Meatball Subs
• Tuesday: Mediterranean Turkey Rice Bowls
• Wednesday: Turkey Meatball Vegetable Soup

Tips

• Slightly wet hands make rolling meatballs much easier.
• Don’t overmix the turkey mixture.
• A cookie scoop helps keep every meatball the same size.
• Ground turkey stays moist when cooked just to 165°F.
• Fresh parsley adds brightness, but dried works well too.

🍽️ This Week’s Menu: Stretch Every Grocery Dollar

Sunday – Simple Italian Turkey Meatballs ⭐ Today’s Recipe
Classic Italian-seasoned turkey meatballs that become the foundation for several easy meals this week.

Monday – Italian Turkey Meatball Subs
Turn yesterday’s meatballs into hearty toasted sandwiches with marinara and melted mozzarella.

Tuesday – Mediterranean Turkey Rice Bowls
Fresh vegetables, seasoned rice, and sliced turkey meatballs make a quick, satisfying lunch or dinner.

Wednesday – Turkey Meatball Vegetable Soup
Stretch the last of the meatballs into a comforting soup loaded with vegetables.

Thursday – Taco Turkey Rice Bowls
Give leftover turkey a Tex-Mex twist with rice, beans, salsa, and your favorite toppings.

Friday – Five Ways to Stretch Ground Turkey
Practical tips for making one package of ground turkey work harder in your weekly meal plan.

Saturday – Six Budget-Friendly Turkey Meals
A roundup of this week’s recipes plus a few extra ideas to help you save money and reduce food waste.

Bonus Recipes This Week

• Turkey Fried Rice
• Refrigerator Clean-Out Quesadillas

➡️ Be sure to stop back tomorrow for our Italian Turkey Meatball Subs!