Garlic Parmesan Turkey Meatballs
Why These Garlic Parmesan Turkey Meatballs Are So Popular
Turkey meatballs make a healthier alternative since turkey is such a lean meat. But, just because they are leaner and healthier, it does not mean that these meatballs are any less juicy and flavorful.
Some brands make a variety of lean to fat ratio in ground turkey but the most common one is 93%/7% meat to fat. This ground turkey will work great for meatballs.
I don’t recommend extra lean ground turkey because every time I’ve tried it, meat comes out too dry. No matter how much you want to keep the fat out, there just has to be some fat for a moist, juicy meatball.
These meatballs can be served without sauce, of course.
I’ve paired these turkey meatballs with some creamy garlic Parmesan sauce. It’s very easy to whisk together and cook with meatballs. Even if the meatballs are prepared ahead of time or frozen, this sauce can easily be whipped up in a couple of minutes and added to meatballs while reheating.
How to Make Garlic Parmesan Turkey Meatballs
These meatballs are made on stove top and in the oven, so use an oven-safe pan to cook.
- Prepare the meat first by combining the ingredients in the mixing bowl and mixing them well.
- Start preheating the pan on medium heat while rolling the meatballs. Preheat oven to 350.
- Lyuba’s Favorite Tip: use a cookie scoop to get an even amount of meat mixture so the meatballs are all the same. I like to use #40 cookie scoop.
- Roll the meatballs and place them on a cutting board of parchment paper while the pan is preheating.
- Add oil and place meatballs in the pan. Cook for a few minutes on one side. Gently shake the pan to loosen the meatballs and flip each meatball.
- Whisk sauce ingredients together and pour it all over the meatballs.
- Transfer the pan into the oven and bake for 15-18 minutes.
- Take out and garnish with a little more shaved Parmesan cheese and parsley.
Can I Freeze These Meatballs?
These turkey meatballs can be frozen but without sauce:
- To freeze them, cook the meatballs per recipe searing and then baking them but don’t add the sauce. Cool them to room temperature and transfer them into a zip-top bag. Seal, label, get the air out, and freeze for up to 2 months.
- Thaw the meatballs in the refrigerator overnight.
- To prepare the meatballs with sauce, place thawed meatballs in a baking dish and add sauce. Bake for about 10 minutes, until sauce bubbles around the edges.
Can these meatballs be gluten free?
Yes! To make these meatballs gluten free you simply swap a regular slice of bread for gluten free bread. Sauce is already gluten free because it’s made with corn starch.
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Turkey Meatballs In Creamy Garlic Parmesan Sauce Recipe
Ingredients
Turkey Meatballs:
- 2 lbs ground turkey 93/7% lean
- 1 small onion finely diced
- 6 garlic cloves
- 1 extra large egg
- 2 oz slice of bread
- 2 tbsp milk for soaking bread
- 2 tbsp minced fresh parsley
- 1/2 cup shaved Parmesan cheese
- 2 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
- salt
Garlic Parmesan Sauce:
- 1 cup chicken stock or broth
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 2 cloves of garlic
- 1 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 cup dry Parmesan cheese
- 1 tbsp minced fresh parsley
- 1 1/2 tbsp corn starch
- salt
- fresh cracked black pepper
Garnish:
- shaved Parmesan cheese
- minced fresh parsley
Instructions
- These meatballs are made on stove top and in the oven, so use an oven-safe pan to cook.
- Gently squeeze out the milk from the bread, place wet bread in the mixing bowl and break it up into small pieces. Add remaining ingredients for the meatballs and mix everything well.
- Start preheating the pan on medium heat while rolling the meatballs. Preheat oven to 350.
- Use a cookie scoop to get an even amount of meat mixture so the meatballs are all the same. I like to use #40 cookie scoop. (If you don’t have a scoop, just roll the meatballs freehand but try to get them the same size.)
- Roll the meatballs and place them on a cutting board of parchment paper while the pan is preheating.
- Add oil to the pan and place meatballs in the pan. Cook for a few minutes on one side. Gently shake the pan to loosen the meatballs and flip each meatball.
- Whisk sauce ingredients together and pour it all over the meatballs.
- Transfer the pan into the oven and bake for 15-18 minutes.
- Take out the meatballs and garnish with a some shaved Parmesan cheese and parsley.
Video
Nutrition
Some More Dinner Recipes To Try:
Sweet Chili Sauce Turkey Meatballs
Turkey Meatballs with Parmesan Cream Sauce
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Categories:
Appetizer Recipes, Dinner Recipes, New Year's Eve Recipes, Super Bowl Recipes, Turkey Recipes,All images and text ©Lyubov Brooke for ©Will Cook For Smiles. Please do not use my images without prior permission. If using my posts in collections and features, please link back to this post for the recipe.
Disclaimer: Nutrition information shown is not guaranteed to be 100% accurate as most ingredients and brands have variations.
I just made these on a whim and even my pickiest eater liked them! They were delicious and definitely going in our rotation of recipes. I served them over fettuccine noodles and they were a perfect last minute recipe choice.
That’s wonderful to hear! I’m so glad even your picky eater enjoyed them, that’s always the true test! Serving them over fettuccine sounds perfect. 😊
I “doctored” the meatball portion of this recipe to suit some preferences…but, the sauce! OMG! The beautiful sauce! Highly highly recommend!
So glad you enjoyed the sauce, it’s one of my favorites too! Thank you for the kind words and for taking the time to share your feedback
Looks delicious. Can I confirm that it’s 10 meatballs for 267 calories? Thanks you! Looking forward to making it
Yes, that is correct. I hope you enjoy them! 🙂
Absolutely delish! And of course, the sauce is what makes this dish! Definitely will be making this again! Thanks for sharing an excellent recipe!
Thank you for your kind words, I’m so glad you loved it!
What sort of pan do you use that allows you to cook 40 meatballs at the same time on the stove? I had to do them in 3 batches and then put into a 9 x 13 to bake. Just curious! Would be much faster to do then all at once. They are delicious !
I used a 12-inch pan and arrange them quite tightly since they shrink during cooking. However, if your pan isn’t large enough, you can bake them in the oven and then use a pan to prepare the sauce for them. Here is a link to my chicken meatballs that I cooked in the oven so you can read exactly how to make them. https://gesundheitsreport2.org/chicken-meatballs/%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E
Do you think if I used precooked meatballs I could use a crockpot?
Hi Tiffany,
Unfortally this recipe won’t work well in the crockpot. You will also have to make the sauce on the stove top and then the meatballs just need a few minutes in the sauce. You could use a crockpot to keep them warm on the warm setting anything higher will make the cream separate from the sauce.
Fantastic and easy recipe. Will definitely make again.
I am so glad you liked it, Deann!
EXCELLENT!!!! Will definitely make again!!!
Thank you! 🙂
I’m a vegetarian so I did not eat any of this but my husband and two sons did. My husband said it was really good and when I reheated it for leftovers he mentioned it again so I know it was a great recipe! The first night I made them on deli style hot dog buns and he said it would be better on egg noodles so that is what I did with with leftover meatballs.
Glad they liked it, Shannon!
These were delicious! The sauce thickened up so nicely in the oven! We served this with egg noodles, peas, corn, and bread!
Yum! I am so pleased you liked it, Crissy!
Can these be kept in a crockpot to serve as an appetizer at a party?
Absolutely, just put it to warm.
Are the calories really for 10 meatballs??
Hi Julie,
It makes about 40 meatballs which is 10 servings so 4 meatballs per serving. Sorry if that was confusing.
Call me lazy but I’d like to make this with pre-cooked frozen meatballs. Do you think if I made the sauce and put it in the crockpot for a few hours with the meatballs it would still be good?
I think it would still be delicious.
My husband and I LOVED this and my husband has been very skeptical that ground turkey could taste good. So delicious and filling for low calories. We made with mashed potatoes and asparagus.
Yum! I am so glad he liked it! Thanks for stopping by to let me know! 🙂
This recipe was amazing!! Both my husband and kids enjoyed it so that is a success in the mom book!!!
I am so glad you liked it!
Hello
These were amazing! Made with chicken we ground ourselves, flour instead of cornstarch since I forgot to buy, otherwise followed exactly. Creamy,
Thank you! I am so glad you liked them!
My daughter in law and I made this recipe tonight and it is SO good! We added extra onion, fresh garlic and parm cheese to the meatballs and man they were out of this world for Turkey meatballs. We will definately make this again!
Awesome! Happy you enjoyed them!
These were amazing! Made with chicken we ground ourselves, flour instead of cornstarch since I forgot to buy, otherwise followed exactly. Creamy, cheesy, garlicky goodness!!
Hi Holly,
I am so happy they turned out for you! 🙂
These meatballs can be served without sauce, of course. You can even serve them with some homemade marinara sauce because the flavors in the meatballs will compliment classic marinara sauce well.
I’ve paired these turkey meatballs with some creamy garlic Parmesan sauce. It’s very easy to whisk together and cook with meatballs. Even if the meatballs are prepared ahead of time or frozen, this sauce can easily be whipped up in a couple of minutes and added to meatballs while reheating.
Tried these a few weeks ago, this recipe is now added to my bi-weekly meal plans it was SOOO delicious!!1
Thank you, Sarah! I am so happy you liked them!
This is such a great recipe. Thank you for sharing this.
Followed the recipe as followed and it was delicious! Very creamy. Will definitely make this next time we have family over.
I am so glad you liked them, Chelsea!
Can the heavy cream be replaced with something else? I have to keep my fat intake low.
If you want you can skip the creamy sauce and add a little extra cheese on top or you can use whole milk instead of heavy cream but I wouldn’t go less then whole milk because it will make it watery, you may also need to increase the corn starch just a little bit to help it thicken.
I used plain Greek yogurt instead of heavy cream & it turned out amazing!
Awesome! I am so glad that it worked out for you and you liked it!
You could also substitute with fat free half & half. Might have to increase the cornstarch a little with that too.
Can these be served over pasta for a main course? Any adjustments? Thanks!
Hi Elaine,
The dish is pretty saucy but if you like your pasta with a lot of sauce you may want to double the sauce for it.
Awesome recipe, kid friendly, my family loved it!
Hi Charity,
I am so glad you liked it! Thanks for stopping by!
My sauce turned out kind of lumpy like cottage cheese? Did I overcook it?
Hi Angie, I think you must have either scolded the cream on the cooktop and it separated or something was wrong with your cream. I would try it on a lower setting next time. It shouldn’t boil or it could separate.
This was absolutely delicious. I will be making this over and over.
Hi Vicki,
Thank you! I am so glad you liked it!
I made this tonight and it was really good but I halved the garlic portion and it was still pretty strong. I doubled the sauce recipe and served over noodles. Next time I will try it with rice.
These were really good!!! The meatballs had great flavor and the sauce was cheesy/garlicy and so yummy. My daughter is thinking of making the sauce to use by itself over pasta. This recipe is a keeper.👍🙂
So glad you liked it! Thank you for taking the time to let me know and for rating my recipe! 🙂
I am on a keto/low carb diet so is there a replacement I can use rather than the bread?
Hi, Peggy! The bread works like a binder and also holds moisture so the results will be different without it. You could try using pork rinds, I know people use those while on keto and have good results. I have not tried it so I am unsure of the end results but that could be an option.
Yum! I will definitely make this again!
Thanks, Regina! So glad you liked the recipe!
I will say I liked the texture of the meatballs, soft and moist, however, the flavor for me was not good. I think the oregano was what ruined it for me. I did not care much for the sauce, I think it needed a little more flavor. 😢
Hi, Tina! I am so sorry you didn’t like them! 🙁
I agree! I was disappointed
I made this recipe exactly as written and it was delicious. I will make it again. My two-year-old granddaughter loved it too.
Thank you for letting me know you liked it! 🙂
Hi, Wendy! I would thaw them out in the fridge the night before then if raw cook before adding to crockpot and if cooked add them straight to crockpot with sauce 🙂
Would you alter the sauce ingredients if you used frozen Turkey meatballs and heated them in a crockpot?
Love this recipe! Thanks for sharing. I had to use breadchrumbs but it still came out great.
Jess, I am so glad you liked it 🙂
Super yummy! It would be great to have the measurements also for European in grams and milliliter instead of cups. Or both. I loved it. It made it to the make it regular recipe book tonight. Thanks a million!
Katalin, thanks for your comment! I am so glad you liked it!
What else did you make to eat with these meatballs? 🙂
That was my question too!
Hi, Ladies! I make these as either an appetizer like is or for dinner you can serve over rice with your favorite veggies. 🙂
I have made the meatballs this am and will make sauce/pasta to accompany for lunch. Very flavorful dish. Used veg. broth in place of milk and added sage and sazon.
That’s great to hear! Thank you so much 🙂
Enjoy!
Not seeing the recipe for this pin
Hi there! The recipe card should be right above the long photo. Here is the direct link for the recipe card: https://gesundheitsreport2.org/wprm_print/21379%3C/a%3E%3Cbr /> I hope this helps!
I’m must be blind, what is oven temp supposed to be?
Hi, Kelly! It is step 3 and its 350! Hope you enjoy them! 🙂
How much bread do soak in the milk?
Hi Kelly!
I usually estimate 2 ounces. Depending on the brand and type of bread, that will be one or two slices. I hope this helps!
Do you think these could be made in a crock pot either raw meatballs cooking in the sauce, or the thawed (pre-cooked the day before) meatballs and sauce just simmering on low for a while?
Hi, Holly! I would precook the meatballs first then add them to the crockpot!
What do you mean by “dry” Parmesan? Is that the Parmesan in the green lidded can, or are you referring to the bags of shredded?
Hi Katherine!
Yes, you are correct. I meat the one that is in the green lidded jar and not one that is freshly grated or shaved.
Thanks so much for your prompt reply. Can’t wait to try this recipe! Looks amazing!
I mad this the other day and did not notice that called for dry paresean. I used some freshly grated paresean and the recipe turned out delicious.
Hey lyuba,
how much you are grinding the meat ? the blade size ?
Hi Kristy!
There are about 4 meatballs per serving. The whole recipe should make about 40 meatballs scooped with a #40 cookie scoop. I hope this helps and you enjoy the meatballs!
How much is a serving size according to nutrition label
Hi Kristy!
There are about 4 meatballs per serving. The whole recipe should make about 40 meatballs scooped with a #40 cookie scoop. I hope this helps and you enjoy the meatballs!