Garlic Parmesan Turkey Meatballs
Nutrition per serving
Ingredients
- 800g lean ground turkey
- 60g parmesan, finely grated (plus extra to serve)
- 60g whole-wheat breadcrumbs
- 1 egg, beaten
- 5 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 small onion, finely grated
- 3 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 2 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 500ml marinara sauce (no added sugar)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Red pepper flakes, to serve (optional)
- Zucchini noodles or whole-wheat pasta, to serve (optional)
Instructions
Heat the oven to 200°C (400°F) and line a large baking sheet with parchment.
In a large bowl, combine the ground turkey, breadcrumbs, parmesan, egg, minced garlic, grated onion, parsley, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper; mix gently with your hands until just combined — do not overwork.
Roll into 20 evenly sized meatballs (about 40g each) and arrange on the baking sheet; brush lightly with olive oil.
Bake 16–18 minutes, turning once, until golden and cooked through (75°C/165°F inside).
Meanwhile, warm the marinara sauce in a large skillet over medium heat; add the baked meatballs and simmer 5 minutes so they soak up the sauce.
Serve over zucchini noodles or whole-wheat pasta, spoon over extra sauce and finish with parmesan, parsley and red pepper flakes.
These are the meatballs I make when I want all the cozy Italian flavor without the heaviness. Lean ground turkey mixes with real minced garlic, grated parmesan and Italian herbs, then bakes on a sheet pan until golden — no frying, no splatter, no fuss. While they bake, a simple no-sugar-added marinara warms on the stove, and the meatballs finish with a five-minute simmer so they soak up every bit of sauce. Each serving packs 42 grams of protein at just 380 calories, with 18 grams of carbs, 16 grams of fat and 3 grams of fiber. Pile them over zucchini noodles for the lightest option, or whole-wheat pasta when you want something heartier. They freeze brilliantly too, so double the batch and thank yourself on a busy night next month.
