You’ll love how easy it is to make Italian style baked turkey meatballs. Browned evenly as they bake in the oven, you’ll bring perfect meatballs to the table every time.
Why you’ll love it: This recipe makes the best turkey meatballs and there are so many ways to serve them.
How long it takes: 20 minutes to prep, 28 minutes to bakeEquipment you’ll need: mixing bowl, sheet pan, ovenServings: 4
There’s a restaurant in town that serves delicious spaghetti and meatballs. Or should I say, meatball, because that’s all you get: one baseball-sized meatball atop a plate of spaghetti and sauce. It’s really kind of hilarious looking, one giant meatball on a mound of spaghetti.
My mom used to buy canned Spaghetti-Os with meatballs. In total contrast to a single huge meatball, the can contained several tiny meatballs about the diameter of a dime. My sister and I used to count them out so we each got an equal number of meatballs with our Spaghetti-Os.
I’m sure you all have a meatball story. There are about as many meatball recipes as there are families. Everyone has their own way of making them and serving them.
Meatballs are so versatile. Most of us have had meatballs with pasta, noodles, or rice smothered with all the many sauces that come from different cultures. Of course, creamy Swedish meatballs are a classic but have you tried Greek meatballs with tzatziki? Chipotle honey glazed meatballs are popular appetizers or sandwich fillers. Even vegetarians can enjoy eggplant meatballs!
Today I bring you a recipe for Italian style baked turkey meatballs. The recipe is easy to make, the meatballs are delicious, and I’m sure you’re going to love them!
Turkey meatballs are a delicious, lighter alternative to traditional beef meatballs. They have a milder flavor and are lower in fat, making them a healthier choice. Baking turkey meatballs is an easy, fuss-free way to cook them, ensuring they stay tender and juicy. But getting the baking time right is key to properly cooked turkey meatballs. So how long should you bake turkey meatballs at 375 degrees Fahrenheit?
Factors That Affect Turkey Meatball Bake Time
Several factors impact how long it takes to bake turkey meatballs
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Size of meatballs – Smaller 1-inch meatballs take less time than 2-inch meatballs
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Fresh or frozen – Frozen meatballs take 5-10 minutes longer
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Meatball recipe – More binders like breadcrumbs shorten bake time.
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Quantity of meatballs – More meatballs increase time through conduction.
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Oven variabilities – Each oven bakes a little differently.
Recommended Bake Time
The recommended baking time for turkey meatballs at 375 degrees Fahrenheit is:
- 1-inch fresh meatballs: 20-25 minutes
- 2-inch fresh meatballs: 25-30 minutes
- Frozen meatballs: Add 5-10 minutes
For best results, spread meatballs out on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or foil. This allows air flow for even cooking.
Internal Temperature
While bake times serve as a guide, using an instant-read thermometer is the best way to assess doneness. Turkey meatballs are safely cooked at an internal temperature of 165°F.
Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of a meatball, taking care not to hit the pan or any bones. If under 165°F, return to oven for 5 minutes more.
Preventing Overcooked Meatballs
It’s easy to overcook turkey meatballs, drying them out. Follow these tips:
- Don’t crowd meatballs on the baking sheet
- Brush with oil or sauce midway through baking
- Remove smaller meatballs sooner
- Let rest 5 minutes before serving
Moist and Tender Turkey Meatballs
With the right bake time and temperature, it’s easy to achieve moist, flavorful turkey meatballs. They pair deliciously with pasta, on sandwiches, or over salad. Baked turkey meatballs are lower in fat than beef but still full of protein and taste. Enjoy this healthy and delicious meal option!
Ways To Change Up This Meatball Recipe
- Short cuts: If you want to make this recipe even easier and faster, substitute onion powder and garlic powder for the fresh minced onions and garlic. You can also substitute dried herbs for the fresh. So easy! I’ve included the directions for the substitutions on the recipe for you.
- Make the size you like. Make really large meatballs or really small meatballs. Adjust the cooking time (longer for big meatballs, shorter for small meatballs). However, do try to make all the meatballs uniformly sized so they cook evenly.
- Vary the seasonings if you like. These meatballs are Italian style with basil, oregano, and parsley. Use cumin, chili powder, and oregano for Mexican style meatballs. For Greek style meatballs, season with mint, parsley, cinnamon, and oregano. Serve them with tzatziki, if you like.
- Non-dairy: Leave out the cheese and substitute a tablespoon of water for the milk.
- Turkey not your thing? Try these classic meatballs, made with a mixture of ground beef and pork, or porcupine meatballs, made with ground beef and white rice.
The baked meatballs should be firm and lightly browned. Internal temperature should be at least 165°F.
You’ll find that baking meatballs rather than frying them is much easier. It’s totally hands off once they’re in the oven. Because you aren’t moving them around in a frying pan with a spatula or tongs, there isn’t really an opportunity for the meatballs to fall apart. Once they’re cooked all the way through, they are firm and won’t disintegrate. I like to simmer the sauce separate from the meatballs. Either gently fold the cooked meatballs into the sauce right before serving or serve them separately, ladling the sauce over the pasta and meatballs. Both ways are perfect for keeping the meatballs intact.
The beauty of oven baked meatballs is that you don’t have to turn them. So easy! Quite honestly, it’s the only way I make meatballs. Sometimes, I brown the tops of the meatballs under the broiler for a few minutes for a little extra color and flavor.
Alternatives to dry breadcrumbs or panko are rolled or quick oats (not instant), soft breadcrumbs, crushed crackers, or tortilla chips. It won’t be an even exchange though. This recipe calls for 1/3 cup of panko, which is similar to dry breadcrumbs. Use 3/4 cup of oats, 1 cup of soft breadcrumbs, or 1/3 cup finely crushed cracker crumbs or tortilla chips if you want to make the meatballs without breadcrumbs.
How To Make Turkey Meatballs
Get a nice big bowl out, roll up your sleeves, and let’s get started!
Mix. Add all the ingredients to the bowl, and use your hands to squish it all together, just until the ingredients are combined. Over-mixing will toughen the meatballs. You don’t want a meatball that will bounce if you drop it (just kidding).
Shape the meatballs. I like to use a cookie dough scoop but a tablespoon will do just fine, too. Aim for about an inch and a half diameter. As you make the meatballs, place them on a parchment or foil covered rimmed baking sheet. You should end up with 18 to 20 meatballs, depending on how large you make them.
The BEST Baked Turkey Meatballs | LOADED With of Flavor!
FAQ
How do you know when turkey meatballs are done?
What temperature do you bake ground turkey at?
Is it better to bake meatballs in the oven or pan?
How long to bake a turkey and what temperature?