Description
Tender, flavorful turkey meatballs baked to golden perfection – juicy on the inside, crispy on the outside, and perfect for weeknight meals or entertaining.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1½ lbs ground turkey (93/7 lean-to-fat ratio)
- ¾ cup panko breadcrumbs (or gluten-free option)
- ½ cup whole milk
- 1 large egg, beaten
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 1 small onion, grated
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (204°C) and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Soak breadcrumbs in milk for 5 minutes to create a panade.
- In a large bowl, combine soaked breadcrumbs, egg, Parmesan, garlic, parsley, onion, oregano, salt, and pepper. Mix gently.
- Add ground turkey and fold lightly until just combined.
- Shape into 20 meatballs using 2 tablespoons per portion. Roll gently to avoid compacting.
- Drizzle with olive oil and roll to coat evenly.
- Bake 18-20 minutes, until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
Do not overmix the meatball mixture – light handling keeps them juicy. For extra flavor, swap Parmesan for nutritional yeast, or panko for crushed crackers. Always allow meatballs to rest before cutting to retain moisture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4 meatballs
- Calories: 245
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 485mg
- Fat: 11g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
Keywords: turkey meatballs, baked meatballs, healthy dinner, easy Italian recipe