55 minutes
Juicy turkey meatballs seasoned with fresh herbs, baked and simmered in a rich tomato sauce.
0 lb
cups
Parmesan Cheese, grated
cups
Flat Leaf Parsley, finely chopped
cups
Basil, finely chopped
cups
each
Garlic, minced
cloves
to taste
to taste
tablespoons
Onion, finely chopped
cups
Garlic, minced
cloves
0 oz
teaspoons
teaspoons
to taste
to taste
Sugar, optional
teaspoons
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!
Create a meat sauce by adding ground beef, soffritto, and a splash of milk or cream, simmered to develop depth.
Use ground lamb or beef, add spices like cumin, coriander, and cinnamon, and serve with yogurt-based sauce or tahini.
Include guanciale or pancetta and pecorino cheese in the tomato sauce, traditionally served with bucatini pasta.
Add red pepper flakes to the tomato sauce for a classic spicy kick, perfect with penne.
Combine lamb and beef, add mint, and serve with tzatziki sauce.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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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