Baked Turkey Meatballs Recipe
These Baked Turkey Meatballs are a healthy and flavorful alternative to traditional meatballs. Made with lean ground turkey, sautéed onions and garlic, Italian seasoning, and a hint of milk and egg for moisture, these meatballs are baked to perfection for a tender and juicy texture. Perfect as a main dish or added to your favorite pasta or sauce, they offer a delicious way to enjoy a classic comfort meal with a lighter twist.
- Author: Tara
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 20 meatballs 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
Meatball Mixture
- 2 and 1/2 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil, divided
- 1/4 cup minced onion
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 large egg
- 1 Tbsp. whole milk
- 1 tsp. Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp. salt
- 1/2 tsp. ground pepper
- 1 lb. ground turkey
- Preheat and Prepare Skillet: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Place a large skillet over medium heat and add 1/2 tablespoon of the olive oil. Allow the oil to heat up properly.
- Sauté Aromatics: Add the minced onion to the heated skillet and sauté until translucent, about 5 minutes. Then add minced garlic and cook for another 2 minutes until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the sautéed onion and garlic, breadcrumbs, egg, milk, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine thoroughly.
- Add Ground Turkey: Add the ground turkey to the mixture. Using your hands, gently mix everything together until well combined. Be careful not to overmix to prevent tough meatballs.
- Shape Meatballs: Take about 2 tablespoons of the mixture and roll it into a meatball. Place each meatball onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Repeat this process with the remaining mixture.
- Bake: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the meatballs are cooked through and reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Broil to Brown (Optional): For a nicely browned exterior, turn on the broiler and broil the meatballs for 2-3 minutes until the tops are golden and slightly crispy. Watch closely to avoid burning.
Notes
- Do not overmix the meatball mixture to keep them tender.
- Use parchment paper on the baking sheet for easy cleanup and to prevent sticking.
- Check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer to ensure food safety.
- These meatballs can be served with marinara sauce, pasta, or in a sub sandwich.
- Leftover meatballs can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
Keywords: baked turkey meatballs, healthy meatballs, turkey dinner, Italian seasoning, lean ground turkey, easy meatballs, oven baked meatballs