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Italian Turkey Meatballs
Italian Turkey Meatballs
7 Reviews
From: EatingWell Magazine, January/February 2015
In this healthy turkey meatball recipe, a base of sautéed mushrooms, celery and garlic adds flavor and helps keep calories in check and portions hearty. Serve these meatballs with marinara as an appetizer, on top of spaghetti or on a roll for a healthy meatball sub.
- By: EatingWell Test Kitchen
Ingredients 6 servings
for serving adjustment
Serving size has been adjusted!
Original recipe yields 6 servings
Nutrition per serving may change if servings are adjusted.
- 8 ounces mushrooms, chopped
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 1 stalk celery, sliced
- 4 cloves garlic
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- ½ cup fine dry breadcrumbs
- ½ cup finely chopped Italian parsley
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground pepper
- 1 pound lean ground turkey
Preparation
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Active
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Ready In
- Finely chop mushrooms, onion, celery and garlic in a food processor. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the vegetable mixture and cook, stirring occasionally, until the liquid has evaporated, 6 to 8 minutes. Transfer to a large bowl and let cool for 10 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 450°F. Line a large rimmed baking sheet with foil and coat with cooking spray.
- Add breadcrumbs, parsley, cheese, Italian seasoning, salt and pepper to the cooled vegetables; stir until combined. Add turkey and mix gently to combine (do not overmix). Form into 30 meatballs (a scant 2 tablespoons each) and place on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake the meatballs until an instant-read thermometer inserted in the center registers 165°F, about 15 minutes.
- Make Ahead Tip: Freeze baked, cooled meatballs in a single layer on a baking sheet, then transfer to an airtight container. Freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat from frozen in a 350°F oven for about 25 minutes.
- Serving size: 5 meatballs
- Per serving: 190 calories; 9 g fat(2 g sat); 1 g fiber; 11 g carbohydrates; 18 g protein; 34 mcg folate; 46 mg cholesterol; 2 g sugars; 0 g added sugars; 486 IU vitamin A; 9 mg vitamin C; 64 mg calcium; 2 mg iron; 384 mg sodium; 393 mg potassium
- Carbohydrate Servings: ½
- Exchanges: ½ starch, ½ vegetable, 2½ lean meat, ½ fat
Reviews 7
August 01, 2019
By: Mary
I was hesitant to make these because of how frequently "dried" was mentioned in the reviews. I'm not a fan of meatballs nor am I an expert on the correct texture, but I was.very happy with the result. They were very tasty - I love mushrooms - the texture was soft, but held well together so they didn't break apart. Changes: Didn't add celery because I don't like it, and added about 1/8 cup less of the parsley because it was too fragrant for my taste as I was chopping it - glad I did. Yes, they're time consuming to make, but worth it. Will definitely make again soon.
September 24, 2017
By: KP2828
Very good. Made 26 meatballs and at a serving size of 5 will be just right for meatball grinders on a wheat roll for lunch or in wheat spagetti and sauce. Yup made a delish meatball sandwhich
July 20, 2017
By: Lady 530
Was totally happy that my husband and son (big time beef eaters) liked these turkey meatballs. These guys are picky when it comes to meat. Followed the recipe, This is a keeper!
September 14, 2015
By: mercedes
Love by all
I did not process the veggies but probably will next time so that the onions are not so chunky. Instead of celery I minced some zucchini and some broccoli slaw. I also added approx. 1/4 of basil pesto to the mix which I think helped make them so flavorful.
Pros: Taste great
Cons: Time consuming
March 21, 2015
By: EatingWell User
Perfect for meatball subs!
I made these tonight to a T, and they were really good! I wouldn't change the recipe at all! Just make sure to serve them with sauce as they do come out dry on the outside only. The inside was moist. (I figure because no added olive oil for the mixture, and baked, no eggs etc.) But I wouldn't alter the recipe at all. Mine didn't fall apart either. I HATE mushrooms, and I minced portabellas really well and couldn't taste them even when I didn't add sauce. PERFECT DISH!
Pros: Delicious and flavorful
Cons: A bit dry, but sauce helps
February 04, 2015
By: EatingWell User
Italian turkey meatballs
Made about 25; they were on the dry side. Did not look glazed as they do in the photo, instead they look dry on the outside and are dry inside. Didn't brown evenly, as there's no instructions to turn them. They fell apart when cut into. I think would work better w/ground beef that has some fat in it, otherwise there's nothing to moisten them. Seasonings fantastic though!
Pros: seasoning was wonderfully aromatic & tasty
Cons: turkey makes them dry
January 12, 2015
By: EatingWell User
These were good and I would make them again. The recipe said that it would make 30 meatballs. I got 20 and I used about the called for amount for each. It didn't matter. I cooked them a little longer to get to the right temp.f
