Juicy Baked Turkey Meatballs
This Juicy Baked Turkey Meatballs recipe is an excellent go-to for an effortless, flavor-packed feast. Made with ground turkey, mozzarella, and a blend of herbs and garlic, these meatballs bake up tender and juicy, then get drenched in a buttery herb sauce that’s both rich and refreshing. Whether you serve them over pasta, with a side of veggies, or on their own, they’re guaranteed to be a hit with the whole family. The best part? They come together quickly, so they’re perfect for busy weeknights when you need something comforting but don’t have a ton of time.
6 Servings
Ingredients
- 2 pounds of ground turkey
- 1 c of grated mozzarella
- 1 beaten egg
- 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
- 2 tsp onion powder
- 2 minced garlic cloves
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes if you’re feeling spicy, toss these in—totally optional!
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
For the sauce:
- 1/2 c 1 stick unsalted butter
- Juice from 1 lemon
- 1 sprig of fresh rosemary finely chopped
- 2 sprigs of fresh thyme
- 1/2 c fresh parsley chopped
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese for serving
- A good pinch of kosher salt and a few cracks of black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F and give a baking dish a quick spray with nonstick spray to make cleanup easier. Set the dish aside for now.
- In a large mixing bowl, toss in the ground turkey, breadcrumbs, mozzarella, beaten egg, onion powder, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, and a pinch of red pepper flakes if you want a bit of heat. Season generously with salt and pepper. Mix everything together until it’s nicely combined but don’t overdo it—just enough to get everything evenly distributed.
- Form the turkey mixture into meatballs and place them in the greased baking dish, spacing them out evenly. Pop them in the oven and bake for 15-20 minutes until they’re cooked through and slightly golden on top.
- While the meatballs are baking, it’s time to whip up that dreamy butter sauce. Melt the butter on the stovetop or in the microwave, then stir in the fresh lemon juice, chopped parsley, rosemary, thyme leaves, and minced garlic. Add salt and pepper to the sauce, adjusting to your personal taste.
- Once the meatballs are done baking, drain off any excess fat from the dish if necessary. Pour the herb-infused butter sauce over and around the meatballs, making sure they all get a nice coating. Sprinkle with freshly grated parmesan and pop them back in the oven for another 5-10 minutes, just until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Serve hot and enjoy every last bite!
Notes
To make these Juicy Baked Turkey Meatballs gluten-free, swap the breadcrumbs for gluten-free breadcrumbs, crushed gluten-free crackers, or gluten-free oats. Also, double-check that your Italian seasoning and cheeses are labeled gluten-free to avoid any hidden gluten.