Description
Delicious Healthy Turkey Meatballs in Marinara Sauce recipe
Ingredients
Scale
- Meatball Base:
- 1 lb ground turkey (93% lean)
- 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1 large egg
- Flavor Builders:
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (plus more for serving)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup yellow onion, finely minced
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- Marinara Essentials:
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 24–28 oz jar marinara sauce (or homemade)
- Finishing Touches:
- Fresh parsley or basil, for garnish (optional)
- Extra grated Parmesan, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Mix It Up:: Grab a big bowl and gently combine the ground turkey, panko breadcrumbs, egg, grated Parmesan, minced garlic, minced onion, fresh parsley, and dried oregano. This is where you get your hands dirty, which I honestly find a bit therapeutic. Be gentle though; overmixing is the enemy of tender meatballs! You want everything just incorporated, not squished into a paste. I often find myself humming a little tune here, getting into the cooking groove.
- Roll ‘Em Out:: Now for the fun part! Lightly moisten your hands with water – this helps prevent sticking, a trick I learned after many frustrating, sticky attempts. Roll the mixture into about 18-20 golf-ball-sized meatballs. Don’t stress if they’re not perfectly uniform; mine never are, and honestly, that’s part of their charm. This step always makes me feel like a kid playing with clay, but way tastier.
- Sear for Flavor:: Heat the olive oil in a large, deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Once it’s shimmering, carefully add the meatballs in batches, making sure not to overcrowd the pan. Sear them for about 3-4 minutes, turning occasionally, until they’re beautifully browned on all sides. This isn’t about cooking them through, but building flavor. Those browned bits? That’s pure magic, don’t skip it! I once tried to skip this, thinking I’d save time, and the meatballs just weren’t the same. Big mistake, huge!
- Simmer in Marinara:: Once all your meatballs are seared, carefully pour the marinara sauce over them in the skillet. Give it a gentle stir to coat everything. Bring the sauce to a low simmer, then reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet, and let those Healthy Turkey Meatballs in Marinara Sauce gently cook for about 20-25 minutes. This is where the flavors really meld and the meatballs become incredibly tender. The smell filling my kitchen during this step is just divine!
- Taste and Adjust:: After simmering, take a little taste of the sauce. Does it need a pinch more salt? A dash of pepper? Maybe a tiny bit of sugar if your tomatoes are a bit acidic? This is your chance to make it truly yours. I always keep a spoon handy for this part, and honestly, sometimes I forget to stop tasting! It’s all part of the process of making these Healthy Turkey Meatballs in Marinara Sauce perfect for your palate.
- Serve It Up:: Once the meatballs are cooked through and the sauce is bubbling merrily, it’s time to serve! Garnish with a little extra fresh parsley or grated Parmesan, because why not? These Healthy Turkey Meatballs in Marinara Sauce look so inviting, and that first bite of a tender meatball coated in rich sauce is just pure joy. It always feels like a little celebration at the dinner table.