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Easy Juicy Turkey Meatballs in Marinara for Meal Prep

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These turkey meatballs in marinara are quick, easy, and perfect for meal prep. They are juicy, flavorful, and made with simple pantry staples.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound ground turkey (preferably 93% lean)
  • ½ cup breadcrumbs (plain, Italian seasoned, or whole wheat)
  • ¼ cup milk (whole or 2%)
  • ¼ cup Parmesan cheese, finely grated
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 cups marinara sauce (store-bought or homemade)

Instructions

  1. In a small bowl, combine the breadcrumbs and milk. Let soak for about 5 minutes until soft and creamy.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, add ground turkey, soaked breadcrumbs, Parmesan, minced garlic, chopped parsley, egg, salt, and black pepper. Gently combine until just mixed; do not overwork.
  3. Wet your hands slightly and roll the mixture into evenly sized meatballs about 1 ½ inches in diameter.
  4. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add meatballs in batches without crowding and brown for 3-4 minutes per side until golden but not fully cooked.
  5. Pour marinara sauce into the skillet with the browned meatballs. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer gently for 15-20 minutes until meatballs are cooked through.
  6. Check internal temperature with an instant-read thermometer to ensure 165°F (74°C) or cut a meatball in half to check for no pink inside.
  7. Serve immediately or let cool for meal prep storage.

Notes

If sauce is too thick, add a splash of water or broth during simmering. Avoid overmixing meat to keep meatballs tender. Browning meatballs before simmering adds flavor and texture. For gluten-free, substitute breadcrumbs with almond flour or gluten-free breadcrumbs. Dairy-free option: omit Parmesan or use nutritional yeast.

Nutrition

Keywords: turkey meatballs, marinara sauce, meal prep, easy dinner, healthy meatballs, quick recipe, ground turkey

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