One Pot Turkey Meatballs Recipe
A comforting and flavorful one-pot meal featuring tender turkey meatballs simmered in a rich homemade tomato sauce. This recipe is easy to prepare and perfect for a hearty family dinner, combining fresh herbs, Italian seasonings, and Parmesan cheese for a classic taste.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Scale
Meatballs
- 1 pound lean ground turkey
- 1 large egg (lightly beaten)
- ¼ cup finely chopped fresh basil
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon fennel seed
- 3 cloves garlic (finely minced)
- 1 small yellow onion (finely minced)
- ⅔ cup panko bread crumbs
- ⅓ cup freshly grated Parmesan
Sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (for cooking)
- 1 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 2 bay leaves
Instructions
- Prepare the Meatball Mixture: In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground turkey, egg, chopped fresh basil, salt, black pepper, Italian seasoning, fennel seed, finely minced garlic, finely minced onion, panko bread crumbs, and grated Parmesan. Mix everything just until combined to avoid tough meatballs.
- Form the Meatballs: Fill a small bowl with water and wet your hands lightly to prevent sticking. Shape the mixture into evenly sized meatballs.
- Brown the Meatballs: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Place the meatballs in a single layer and brown them on all sides, approximately 8 minutes total. Once browned, transfer the meatballs to a plate and set aside.
- Make the Sauce and Simmer: In the same skillet, add the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, minced garlic, salt, black pepper, paprika, onion powder, granulated sugar, crushed red pepper flakes (if using), and bay leaves. Bring the sauce to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low. Return the browned meatballs to the skillet, cover it, and let simmer for 15 to 20 minutes until the meatballs are cooked through and the sauce thickens.
- Finish and Serve: Remove and discard the bay leaves from the skillet. Serve the meatballs and sauce over spaghetti or your preferred pasta. Garnish with additional fresh basil leaves and a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese for extra flavor.
Notes
- To help the meatballs hold together, wetting your hands before rolling prevents sticking.
- Do not overmix the meatball mixture to keep them tender and juicy.
- Simmer the meatballs gently to avoid drying them out.
- Optional crushed red pepper flakes add a subtle heat to the sauce—adjust according to your taste.
- Serve with spaghetti, but these meatballs also pair well with zucchini noodles or polenta for a low-carb option.
- Leftover meatballs can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 2 months.
Keywords: turkey meatballs, one pot meal, Italian meatballs, healthy dinner, homemade tomato sauce, easy meatball recipe
Find it online: https://leofoster.com/one-pot-turkey-meatballs-recipe/
