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A close-up view of delicious turkey meatballs in a rich marinara sauce, garnished with herbs.

Turkey Meatballs In Marinara

Make tender and flavorful turkey meatballs simmered in marinara sauce. This recipe is perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner and can be made ahead or frozen.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Freezing Time 3 hours
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Italian-American
Calories: 347

Ingredients
  

For the Meatballs
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/4 cup fresh basil, finely chopped plus more for serving
  • 0.5 teaspoon salt heaping
  • 0.25 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 0.5 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons water
  • 3 tablespoons yellow onion, minced from 1 small onion
  • 1.33 pounds 93% lean ground turkey
  • 0.66 cup dried Italian style bread crumbs such as Progresso
  • 0.33 cup pecorino Romano cheese, freshly grated plus more for serving
For Cooking and Sauce
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil for cooking
  • 1 jar good quality Marinara sauce 24 oz, such as Rao's

Equipment

  • Medium bowl
  • large nonstick skillet
  • Lid

Method
 

  1. In a medium bowl, whisk together the egg, basil, salt, pepper, oregano, garlic, and water. Add the onion, turkey, bread crumbs, and cheese. Mix with your hands until the mixture is uniform.
  2. Lightly wet your hands with water. Form the mixture into balls slightly larger than golf balls. Wet your hands as needed to prevent sticking.
  3. In a large nonstick skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat until shimmering. Add the meatballs in a single layer and brown on all sides, about 7 to 8 minutes total.
  4. Pour the marinara sauce over the meatballs and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low, cover tightly with a lid, and simmer until the meatballs are cooked through, about 15 minutes.
  5. Sprinkle with more basil and cheese, if desired, and serve.

Nutrition

Calories: 347kcalCarbohydrates: 19gProtein: 27gFat: 18gSaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 113mgSodium: 779mgFiber: 3gSugar: 7g

Notes

For best results, use 93% lean ground turkey, which is a combination of light and dark meat. To make ahead, prepare and cook the meatballs, then store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To freeze, let them cool completely, then transfer them with the sauce to a freezer-safe container or bag. Freeze for up to 3 months. To serve, defrost overnight in the refrigerator and reheat on the stovetop over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until hot.

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