Turkey Meatballs
Want a refresher on how to make this?
Makes for 4-5 | Prep: 25 min | Bake: 8-12 min | Oven: 415°
INGREDIENTS
Mushies
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 shallot, diced (or ¼ yellow onion)
4-6 cloves garlic, minced
2# ground turkey (I prefer dark meat, but you can use whatever)
2 whole eggs
¼ cup seasoned Italian breadcrumbs
¼ cup whole milk
2 tablespoons chopped basil and parsley
1 ½ teaspoon each, garlic powder, onion powder, sweet paprika, dry basil
1/2 teaspoon dry red chili flake
2 teaspoon kosher salt
¼ cup fresh grated parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon fresh cracked pepper
10-12 basil leaves
Red sauce and pasta of your choice for serving
INSTRUCTIONS
Prepare your Aromatics
In a small sauté pan, heat the olive oil over medium high heat. Add in the garlic and shallot and cook, stirring frequently, until the mixture is super aromatic, the garlic has just begun to brown, and the shallots have turned translucent.
Set this mixture aside to cool. Set your oven to 415° and line a sheet pan with aluminum foil.
Make your Meatball Mix
In a large bowl, combine the turkey, eggs, milk, breadcrumbs, chopped herbs, dry seasonings, as well as the grated parmesan cheese. Add in the cooled shallot/garlic mixture and mix everything well using a wooden spoon or your hands.
Pro tip: Using the same sauté pan you cooked the shallots and garlic, cook off a small piece of the meatball mix. This way you can taste it and adjust any seasonings you may want to before committing to cooking them all!
Cook the Meatballs
Switch the oven to the highest broil setting and place the rack about 4-6 inches away from the broiler.
Using an ice cream scoop, scoop all the meatball mixture into even balls all along the prepared baking sheet. Once they’ve all be scooped, drizzle some olive oil all over the top of the meatballs then rub your hands with some olive oil as well.
Use your hands to shape the meatballs into perfect spheres, then evenly space them out on the baking tray.
Broil the meatballs for 8-12 minutes, or just until they’ve taken on some nice browning on the top. No need to worry if they’re fully cooked, they will cook in the sauce later!
Finish the Meatballs
Add the cooked meatballs along with any of the drippings and juices that may have come out of them during the cooking process into a large pot with your favorite tomato sauce (homemade or jar, doesn’t matter to me!).
Add in the fresh basil leaves and simmer the meatballs for at least 30-45 minutes so the flavors can all meld. Serve over your favorite pasta along with plenty or parmesan cheese!
