Description
These Baked Turkey Meatballs in Tomato Sauce offer a delicious and healthier twist on a classic comfort dish. Made with lean ground turkey, oats, and Parmesan cheese, these meatballs are baked to perfection in a rich marinara sauce and topped with melted mozzarella, perfect for a family dinner or meal prep.
Ingredients
Scale
Meatball Mixture
- ¼ Cup Oats, old fashioned/rolled
- ¼ Cup Milk
- 1 Egg
- ½ Cup Parmesan Cheese, grated
- 1 Tablespoon Minced Garlic
- 1 Teaspoon Fresh Parsley (or ½ teaspoon dried)
- ½ Teaspoon Salt
- 1 Pound Ground Turkey
Sauce and Topping
- 12 Ounce Marinara Sauce (1 ½ Cups)
- 1 Cup Shredded Mozzarella
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 400º F to ensure it’s ready for baking the meatballs evenly.
- Prepare the Oat Mixture: In a mixing bowl, add the oats and milk, and let them rest for 2 to 3 minutes to allow the oats to absorb the liquid and soften slightly.
- Mix Ingredients: Add the egg, grated Parmesan cheese, minced garlic, parsley, and salt to the oat mixture. Stir gently a few times to combine. Then place the ground turkey on top and gently mix everything together just until it holds together; avoid overmixing for tender meatballs.
- Layer Sauce: Spread half of the marinara sauce evenly on the bottom of a casserole dish to create a flavorful base for the meatballs.
- Shape Meatballs: Using a tablespoon, scoop and roll the turkey mixture into meatballs. Arrange the meatballs carefully in the dish over the sauce layer.
- Initial Baking: Cover the dish with tin foil and bake for 10 minutes to partially cook the meatballs and keep them moist.
- Add Remaining Sauce and Cheese: Remove the foil, pour the remaining marinara sauce over the meatballs, then sprinkle the shredded mozzarella on top.
- Final Bake: Bake uncovered for an additional 10 minutes or until the sauce is bubbly and the meatballs reach an internal temperature of 165º F to ensure they are fully cooked.
- Serve: Enjoy the meatballs on their own, over pasta, or alongside your favorite vegetables for a complete meal.
Notes
- Do not overmix the meat mixture to keep the meatballs tender and juicy.
- Use a meat thermometer to confirm the internal temperature of 165º F for safe consumption.
- For gluten-free options, use gluten-free oats and marinara sauce.
- These meatballs can be prepared ahead and frozen before baking; bake directly from frozen with an extended cooking time.
- Serve with spaghetti, zucchini noodles, or a side salad for balanced nutrition.
