Easy Turkey Meatballs

• servings: 4 items
• active time: 15 minutes
• total time: 50 minutes

Ingredients

1 pound (450g) ground turkey, 93% lean

1/2 cup (50g) panko breadcrumbs or homemade breadcrumbs

1/2 cup (118ml) milk

1 large egg

6 tablespoons (1.5oz) finely grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese

1/4 cup fresh parsley leaves and tender stems, chopped

1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

3/4 teaspoon salt

1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

2 garlic cloves, finely chopped

1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

2 tablespoons tomato paste

2 (28oz) cans crushed tomatoes, 2 large cans

1 large basil sprig plus a handful of torn basil leaves

Directions

Make Sauce

Heat the olive oil over medium heat in a large skillet with sides and lid. Add the garlic and red pepper flakes, then cook for 30 seconds to 1 minute.

Stir in the tomato paste and cook, stirring often, until the color turns from bright red to orange, about 2 minutes.

Pour in the crushed tomatoes and a generous pinch of salt. Bring to a simmer. Add the basil sprig, then taste for seasoning. Adjust with additional salt if needed. Continue to simmer while you prepare the meatballs.

Make Meatballs

Add the breadcrumbs, milk, egg, cheese, parsley, oregano, and salt to a large bowl. Stir until well blended.

Add the ground turkey and mix everything until combined, using a fork or your fingers. Try not to overmix for the most tender meatballs.

Wet your hands, and then form the mixture into 1-inch balls. You should get about 22 to 24 meatballs.

Gently drop the meatballs into tomato sauce. It’s okay if the sauce does not cover the tops of the meatballs.

Cover the skillet and cook for 20 minutes. After 20 minutes, the meatballs will have firmed up, so you can gently shimmy the skillet to move the meatballs around in the sauce.

Cook for another 5 to 10 minutes or until the meatballs are cooked in the middle. Just before serving, scatter torn basil leaves over meatballs and sauce.

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6 meatballs
• Calories: 354
• Total Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 114 mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 28 g
• Dietary Fiber: 9 g
• Total Sugars: 14 g
• Protein: 37 g