Italian Turkey Meatballs in Tomato Sauce Recipe | Cookin' Canuck (2024)

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Meatballs are always a crowd pleaser. These Italian Turkey Meatballs happily wallow in a pan of easy, homemade tomato sauce. Healthy comfort food at its best!

Italian Turkey Meatballs in Tomato Sauce Recipe | Cookin' Canuck (1)

These Italian turkey meatballs earn me more hugs than almost any other meal. No matter how much older my boys get, meatballs are always a perennial favorite. And who can blame them?! It's comfort food that never gets old.

Meatballs happen in all forms around here. Teriyaki Turkey Meatballs are a long-time birthday dinner request, Honey Garlic Turkey Meatballs are a weeknight favorite and Salmon Meatballs with a Creamy Avocado Sauce are the food that made my boys falls in love with salmon. There's just something magical about meatballs.

Typically when I make meatballs, I roll them into morsels that can be consumed in one or two bites. But these...these are serious meatballs. For light eaters, one meatball will probably suffice, two meatballs for heartier eaters. They bake in about 20 minutes, which gives you just enough time to whip up the tomato sauce.

Why make a homemade sauce?

If there's one thing I've learned over the years, it's this...take a few extra minutes to make a homemade sauce to serve with these healthy turkey meatballs.

The flavors of freshly sautéed onion and garlic, the richness of simmered crushed tomatoes and the brightness of fresh herbs makes all the difference in the world. Homemade sauce always tastes as though you finished off the meal with a pinch of love.

💙 WHAT'S TO LOVE ABOUT TURKEY MEATBALLS:

▪️ FLAVOR: The meatballs and tomato sauce are filled with onion, garlic and oregano. And you can't beat the flavor of a homemade tomato sauce. It beats store-bought every day of the week!
▪️ TENDER: Ground turkey meatballs get a bag rap for being dry, but these ones are anything but dry. Tender and rich in flavor.
▪️ FREEZER-FRIENDLY: These meatballs can be frozen and quickly reheated in the microwave.

WHAT YOU NEED FOR THESE ITALIAN TURKEY MEATBALLS:

These are the main components of this recipe (affiliate links included):

  • GROUND TURKEY: Use 93% lean ground turkey for these meatballs. While it’s tempting to use extra lean (99%) to cut back on the fat further, it results in dry meatballs.
  • AROMATICS: Onion and garlic add tons of flavor. Grated the onion on the largest holes of a box grater. Grated onion blends well into the ground turkey without leaving chunks of onion.
  • BREADCRUMBS: I prefer whole wheat breadcrumbs for the extra fiber, but regular breadcrumbs work just as well. You can also use panko breadcrumbs or a gluten-free version, if desired.
  • EGG: One egg for binding.
  • HERBS: Fresh parsley and dried oregano. Be sure to measure the parsley AFTER mincing it.
  • THE SAUCE: Homemade sauce is REALLY easy to make and you just can’t beat the flavor. You’ll need onion, garlic, canned crushed tomatoes, herbs and red pepper flakes (optional).

See recipe card below for full ingredients list & recipe directions.

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Italian Turkey Meatballs in Tomato Sauce Recipe | Cookin' Canuck (2)

How to make turkey meatballs in sauce:

This recipe comes together in two parts: The meatballs and the sauce. Start with the meatballs, then make the sauce while the meatballs are baking.

The meatballs:

  • Mix together all of the ingredients, then divide the mixture into 8 portions.
  • If the meatballs aren’t sticking together well, mix in additional breadcrumbs, one tablespoon at a time.
  • Roll the 8 portions into balls and place them on a baking sheet coated in cooking spray. Bake until cooked through and firm to the touch.

The sauce:

  • This is a basic marinara sauce – nothing difficult about it. Start by sautéing some chopped onion in a little olive oil.
  • Once the onion is soft, add the garlic, oregano, salt and pepper. Only 1 minute cooking time here – you don’t want to burn the garlic, otherwise it will become bitter.
  • Stir in the crushed tomatoes, bring it all to a boil, then simmer. Last but not least – stir in the fresh herbs.
Italian Turkey Meatballs in Tomato Sauce Recipe | Cookin' Canuck (3)

How to serve turkey meatballs:

Our favorite way to serve these meatballs is over pasta, but you can change things up by serving them over rice or quinoa. If you like to freeze quinoa like I do, you can microwave a few portions of frozen quinoa in a minute or two.

For lower carb options, serve the meatballs over spaghetti squash (like in this puttanesca spaghetti squash recipe), cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles.

Grate a little Parmesan cheese over top and sprinkle with extra minced parsley, if desired.

Cut open a baguette and line up the meatballs with extra sauce in the bread. Top with grated Parmesan and/or mozzarella and pop under the broiler until the cheese is melted (just a minute or two). Watch carefully so the bread doesn't burn!

Italian Turkey Meatballs in Tomato Sauce Recipe | Cookin' Canuck (4)

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I substitute ground beef for ground turkey?

Turkey meatballs can also be made with ground beef. I recommend using lean ground beef. This helps to lower the saturated fat grams.

Can I use oats instead of breadcrumbs?

Oats can be used in place of breadcrumbs to bind ground turkey meatballs. If the recipe calls for seasoned breadcrumbs, be sure to adjust the seasonings when substituting the breadcrumbs with oats.

Can I make these meatballs egg-less?

Sure. Substitute the egg with a flax egg. Mix together 1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed meal with 3 tablespoons of water. Let the mixture rest for about 10 minutes, until it because gelatinous. Stir it into the ground turkey mixture along with the other ingredients.

How to freeze:

Turkey meatballs freeze very well and will last in the freezer for up to 3 months. Bake the meatballs as directed in the recipe, then cool to room temperature. Place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and pop the whole thing into the freezer.

Once frozen, peel the meatballs off the paper and place them in a resealable freezer bag or freezer-safe airtight container.

When you're ready to serve the meatballs, take out as many as you need and microwave on HIGH until reheated. If it seems as though they're drying out while reheating, add a few drops of water.

What to serve with Italian turkey meatballs:

Salads and bread are always popular side dishes for turkey meatballs. Here are a few favorites...

  • Green salad with the best balsamic vinaigrette!
  • Tomato Focaccia Recipe - with caramelized onions
  • Apple Pecan Salad
  • Warm Kale Salad - with caramelized onions & mushrooms

If you make this recipe, please let me know! Leave a star rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and comment underneath the recipe card below. Thank you!

Printable Recipe

Italian Turkey Meatballs in Tomato Sauce Recipe | Cookin' Canuck (5)

Italian Turkey Meatballs in Tomato Sauce Recipe

Meatballs are always a crowd pleaser. These Italian Turkey Meatballs happily wallow in a pan of easy, homemade tomato sauce.

4.73 from 54 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Entrees

Cuisine: Italian

Keyword: Healthy Dinner Recipes

Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes minutes

Servings: 4

Calories: 336.2kcal

Author: Dara Michalski | Cookin' Canuck

Ingredients

The Meatballs:

The Sauce:

Instructions

The Meatballs:

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly coat a baking sheet with cooking spray.

  • In a large bowl, stir together the ground turkey, onion, garlic, parsley, breadcrumbs, egg, oregano, salt and pepper.

  • Divide the mixture into 8 portions, form into balls and place on the prepared baking sheet.

  • Bake until the meatballs are firm to the touch and cooked through, 15 to 20 minutes.

The Sauce:

  • Heat the olive oil in a large nonstick skillet set over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.

  • Stir in the garlic, oregano, salt and pepper, and cook for 1 minute.

  • Add the crushed tomatoes, bring the sauce to a boil, and then simmer for 10 minutes. Stir in the parsley and basil.

  • Nestle the meatballs into the sauce and spoon sauce over to coat the meatballs.

  • Serve over pasta or rice, or on their own.

Video

Notes

Please note that I am not a medical or nutritional professional. I provide nutritional information for my recipes as a courtesy to my readers. It is calculated using the LoseIt! calculator. While I attempt to provide information that is as accurate as possible, you should calculate the nutritional information independently before relying on it.

Nutrition

Serving: 2Meatballs + ¾ Cup Sauce | Calories: 336.2kcal | Carbohydrates: 31.3g | Protein: 30.1g | Fat: 12.5g | Saturated Fat: 3.4g | Cholesterol: 126.5mg | Sodium: 946mg | Fiber: 7.4g | Sugar: 16.1g

Tried this recipe?If you make this recipe, I'd love to see it on Instagram! Just use the hashtag #COOKINCANUCK and I'll be sure to find it.

Other healthy ground turkey recipes:

Southwestern Turkey Rice Casserole

Turkey Taco Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
Pesto Turkey Tortellini Soup

This recipe was originally posted on March 2, 2015, and was updated on February 10, 2023.

Disclosure: I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Italian Turkey Meatballs in Tomato Sauce Recipe | Cookin' Canuck (6)
Italian Turkey Meatballs in Tomato Sauce Recipe | Cookin' Canuck (2024)

FAQs

Do you have to pre cook meatballs before putting in sauce? ›

Simmering: You don't have to brown meatballs before adding them to a sauce, particularly if you're cooking them in a slow cooker like these Slow-Cooker Italian Meatballs.

What are the ingredients in cooked perfect Italian meatballs? ›

Ingredients. Beef And Pork, Water, Textured Soy Flour, Bread Crumbs (Wheat Flour, Salt), Soy Protein Concentrate, Less Than 2% Of: Parmesan Cheese (Part Skim Cow's Milk, Cheese Cultures, Salt, Enzymes), Oregano, Basil, Black Pepper, Natural Flavors, Salt, Dextrose, Sodium Phosphate.

Are meatballs better baked or cooked in sauce? ›

There is no right or wrong way; try them all and see what works best for you. Cooking your meatballs in a sauce is a sure-fire way to keep them moist and succulent – one of the reasons why dishes like Spaghetti and Meatballs is a classic family favourite.

How to make meatballs that don t fall apart in sauce? ›

Add a lightly beaten egg, but not too much. Egg acts as a binder for the ingredients, but you only need a small amount. One small egg will do for one pound of minced meat. Alternatively, if you're following an egg-free diet, you could soak fresh bread in milk, squeezing out any excess milk, to use as a binder.

Is it better to pan fry or bake meatballs? ›

How Should I Cook Meatballs? Well, the classic method of cooking meatballs is pan-frying. While that method produces amazing results, it also means you need to stand over the stove and flip them while they cook. I really like to bake my meatballs, especially if I'm wanting to make a lot at once.

Is it better to bake meatballs at 350 or 400? ›

If you are making meatballs and are wondering how long you need to cook them, you came to the right place. After all of the Italian meatballs I've been making lately, I consider myself a meatball expert. A good rule of thumb is to bake meatballs for 25-30 minutes at 350 degrees fahrenheit.

What's the difference between meatballs and Italian meatballs? ›

American meatballs are the biggest in size, with Italian and Swedish meatballs following on the depth chart. Italian meatballs call for seasonings like grated parmesan and oregano, while Swedish ones use seasonings like nutmeg and allspice. While it doesn't sound like a huge distinction, you'll notice it in the taste!

Can I cook raw meatballs in my sauce? ›

Put your raw meatballs aside in a dish. In a large skillet or pot, heat some tomato sauce on the stovetop. I usually start it out on medium-high heat and add my raw meatballs to the pan. When the sauce comes to a boil, I lower the stove to medium-low heat and let the meatballs cook slowly.

Is it better to use milk or water in meatballs? ›

While water and broth may keep the meatballs moist throughout the cooking process, milk's extra fat and luscious consistency add an unmatched level of complexity to any classic meatball recipe.

Can you overcook meatballs in sauce? ›

Don't overcook your meatballs! Most recipes instruct us to bake the meatballs until they are completely cooked. Next, we are to let them simmer away in some kind of sauce for hours. It should be no surprise that your meatball is going to be completely overcooked and dry by the time you eat it.

What goes with Italian meatballs? ›

10 Side Dishes to Pair With Meatballs Besides Spaghetti
  • Jen's Creamy Garlic Mashed Potatoes. ...
  • Tasty Spicy Rice Pilaf. ...
  • Fried Cabbage and Egg Noodles. ...
  • Peperonata. ...
  • Peanut Butter Noodles. ...
  • Tasty BBQ Corn on the Cob. ...
  • Disney's Ratatouille. ...
  • 8. '
Jul 30, 2019

Why are my turkey meatballs mushy? ›

Commercially ground turkey also has a finer texture than beef or pork, which is why it cooks up mushy. The fine consistency also means the meat has a harder time holding on to moisture.

How to make Italian meatballs with tomato sauce? ›

In a large saucepan over medium heat, saute onion and garlic in olive oil until onion is translucent. Stir in tomatoes, salt, sugar and bay leaf. Cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer 90 minutes. Stir in tomato paste, basil, 1/2 teaspoon pepper and meatballs and simmer 30 minutes more.

Why are my turkey meatballs falling apart? ›

Because meat shrinks when cooked, mince proteins are likely to separate and crumble unless bound together. Whether it's breadcrumbs or egg (or both), or simply salt, binding the mince is a crucial step in maintaining the softness of your meatballs while preventing them from falling apart.

How long do raw meatballs take to cook in sauce? ›

How long does it take to cook raw meatballs in sauce? Beef meatballs take a bit longer to become tender, so let them simmer for at least one to one and a half, preferably two hours. Pork meatballs only need about 45 minutes of simmering in the sauce.

Do you have to brown meat before putting in sauce? ›

"The caramelized surface of the meat will lend rich flavor and color to the finished dish." If you are making a slow-cooked recipe that calls for ground beef, like chili, beef stew, or meat sauce, browning the meat beforehand makes a huge difference.

Do you put raw meat in simmer sauce? ›

Because simmer sauces already come to you pre-made, you simply add the ingredients of your choice -- such as meat, vegetables, tofu, chicken, or seafood. It is often preferable to cook the meat and vegetables separate from the simmer sauce at high heat first.

Do meatballs get more tender the longer they cook in sauce? ›

As the collagen in the meat dissolves over time, it transforms into gelatin, which not only adds a silky texture to the sauce but also contributes to the overall richness and depth of flavor. The longer the simmer, the more tender and succulent the meatballs become.

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