Description
These Juicy Baked Turkey Meatballs are a gluten-free favorite, combining ground turkey, mozzarella, and fresh herbs for a tender, flavorful bite. Baked to perfection and finished in a buttery herb sauce, they’re perfect over pasta, veggies, or on their own. Quick, comforting, and family-approved! Keywords: gluten-free turkey meatballs, juicy turkey meatballs, baked meatballs recipe.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
For the Meatballs:
- 2 lbs ground turkey
- 1 cup mozzarella, grated
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs (gluten-free if needed)
- 1 egg
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 2 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
- Kosher salt and black pepper (to taste)
For the Herb Butter Sauce:
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- Juice from 1 lemon
- 1 sprig fresh rosemary
- 2 sprigs fresh thyme
- Parmesan cheese (for serving)
Instructions
1. Preheat and Prepare:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or grease lightly.
2. Make the Meatball Mixture:
- In a large bowl, combine ground turkey, grated mozzarella, breadcrumbs, egg, garlic, parsley, onion powder, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper.
- Mix gently with your hands until just combined (avoid overmixing to keep the meatballs tender).
3. Form and Bake:
- Use a cookie scoop or your hands to form meatballs about 1 1/2 inches in diameter.
- Place them evenly spaced on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the meatballs are golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature should reach 165°F/74°C).
4. Prepare the Herb Butter Sauce:
- In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat.
- Add minced garlic, rosemary, and thyme, cooking until fragrant (about 2 minutes).
- Stir in lemon juice and season with salt and pepper to taste.
5. Combine and Serve:
- Add the baked meatballs to the skillet and gently toss to coat them in the herb butter sauce.
- Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and serve warm over pasta, veggies, or on their own.
Notes
- Breadcrumb Substitution: Use almond flour for a low-carb option.
- Make It Dairy-Free: Replace mozzarella with dairy-free cheese or omit it. Use vegan butter for the sauce.
- Meal Prep Tip: These meatballs freeze well! Store in an airtight container and reheat as needed.
