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    Herbed Turkey Meatballs in Rich Tomato Sauce

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    Pixicook editorial team

    Juicy turkey meatballs seasoned with fresh herbs, baked and simmered in a rich tomato sauce.

    Ingredients for Herbed Turkey Meatballs in Rich Tomato Sauce

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    units in
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    serves
    4 peoplechevron
    serves
    4 peoplechevron

    Ground Turkey

    0 lb

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    Breadcrumbs

    cups

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    Parmesan Cheese, grated

    cups

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    Flat Leaf Parsley, finely chopped

    cups

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    Basil, finely chopped

    cups

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    Egg

    each

    Substitute chevron-down

    Garlic, minced

    cloves

    Substitute chevron-down

    Salt

    to taste

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    Black Pepper

    to taste

    Substitute chevron-down

    Olive Oil

    tablespoons

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    Onion, finely chopped

    cups

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    Garlic, minced

    cloves

    Substitute chevron-down

    Crushed Tomatoes

    0 oz

    Substitute chevron-down

    Dried Oregano

    teaspoons

    Substitute chevron-down

    Dried Basil

    teaspoons

    Substitute chevron-down

    Salt

    to taste

    Substitute chevron-down

    Black Pepper

    to taste

    Substitute chevron-down

    Sugar, optional

    teaspoons

    Substitute chevron-down

    How to Make Herbed Turkey Meatballs in Rich Tomato Sauce

    1. Preheat the Oven

    Gather all your ingredients and preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

    2. Prepare the Meatball Mixture

    In a large bowl, combine the ground turkey, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, parsley, basil, egg, and minced garlic. Season the mixture with salt and pepper to your liking. Mix everything together gently but thoroughly with your hands until the ingredients are well integrated.

    3. Shape and Bake Meatballs

    Shape the meatball mixture into 1-inch balls and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake the meatballs in the preheated oven for about 20 minutes, or until they are cooked through and lightly browned.

    4. Prepare the Tomato Sauce

    While the meatballs are baking, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until it becomes soft and translucent. This should take about 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute, just until it becomes fragrant.

    5. Simmer the Tomato Sauce

    Pour the crushed tomatoes into the skillet with the onions and garlic. Stir in the dried oregano and basil, and season the sauce with salt and pepper. If the tomatoes are particularly acidic, you might want to add a teaspoon of sugar to balance the flavors. Let the sauce simmer gently on low heat for about 15 minutes.

    6. Combine Meatballs and Sauce

    When the meatballs are done baking, carefully transfer them into the simmering tomato sauce. Let the meatballs cook in the sauce for another 10 minutes, allowing them to soak up all the rich flavors.

    7. Serve

    Serve the herbed turkey meatballs hot, generously spooned with the rich tomato sauce. They pair wonderfully with pasta, rice, or even crusty bread. Enjoy your meal!

    Variations

    Bolognese Sauce

    Create a meat sauce by adding ground beef, soffritto, and a splash of milk or cream, simmered to develop depth.

    Middle Eastern Koftas

    Use ground lamb or beef, add spices like cumin, coriander, and cinnamon, and serve with yogurt-based sauce or tahini.

    Amatriciana Sauce

    Include guanciale or pancetta and pecorino cheese in the tomato sauce, traditionally served with bucatini pasta.

    Arrabbiata Sauce

    Add red pepper flakes to the tomato sauce for a classic spicy kick, perfect with penne.

    Greek Meatballs (Keftedes)

    Combine lamb and beef, add mint, and serve with tzatziki sauce.

    Pitfalls and tips

    Choosing the Right Turkey

    Opt for ground turkey that isn't too lean. A bit of fat (look for ground turkey that's around 85% lean) will make your meatballs juicier and more flavorful. If you can, get your turkey ground fresh at the butcher.

    Seasoning

    Season your meat mixture generously with salt and pepper. Remember, you can't taste the meatballs before they're cooked, so if you're unsure about your seasoning, cook a tiny bit of the mixture in a pan and taste it to adjust as necessary.

    Cooking Meatballs in Sauce

    After searing, finish cooking the meatballs in the sauce on a low simmer. This allows them to absorb the flavors of the sauce and stay moist.

    Mixing

    When combining your ingredients, mix gently and avoid overworking the meat, which can make the meatballs tough. Use your hands for better control, and stop as soon as everything is just combined.

    Herbs and Aromatics

    Fresh herbs are a game-changer. If the recipe calls for dried herbs, consider using fresh ones instead, as they'll provide a brighter, more vibrant flavor. Make sure they are finely chopped to distribute evenly within the meatballs.


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