Baked Turkey Meatballs are a delicious lighter alternative to my Grandmother’s Italian Meatballs! Baked in the oven instead of fried, they are the healthy turkey meatball recipe you’ve been looking for!
In fact, I know that I have been making them a really long time because I have a memory of telling toddler Gavin, “Put that meatball in your belly” and him lifting up his shirt and slamming the “meatmall”on his fork into his stomach.
When looking for a good healthy turkey meatball, I immediately turned to my grandmother’s traditional Italian Meatball recipe.
It has so many great reviews that it was a perfect place to start when developing this recipe.
What sets my grandmother’s recipe apart is that you make a binding agent out of soaked bread. It works so well to create a moist and delicious meatball.
This recipe has all the great taste of her original, but with half the fat and half the calories!
Turkey meatballs are a delicious and healthier alternative to traditional beef or pork meatballs Their milder flavor makes them appealing for both kids and adults Baking turkey meatballs allows them to cook evenly without the need for added oil or constant monitoring, But how long should you bake turkey meatballs at 350°F for ideal doneness?
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll provide recommendations on bake times at 350°F based on meatball size. We’ll also share tips to ensure your turkey meatballs turn out moist and flavorful every time. Read on for everything you need to know about achieving tender, juicy turkey meatballs straight from your oven.
Recommended Bake Times for Turkey Meatballs at 350°F
The baking time needed for turkey meatballs varies based on their size Larger meatballs require more time than smaller ones Here are general guidelines
- 1-inch diameter meatballs: Bake for 15-18 minutes
- 1.5-inch diameter meatballs: Bake for 18-22 minutes
- 2-inch diameter meatballs: Bake for 22-25 minutes
These times are simply estimates. Always use a meat thermometer to confirm the internal temperature reaches 165°F the safe minimum for cooked ground turkey.
When first starting out, begin with 1-1.5 inch meatballs which require less time. As you get comfortable forming uniform balls, try larger 2-inch sizes.
Tips for Perfect Baked Turkey Meatballs
Follow these tips for tender, flavorful oven-baked turkey meatballs:
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Use a light hand when mixing – Overworking the meat makes meatballs dense.
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Make uniform sizes – Equal sizes cook evenly. Use a cookie scoop for consistency.
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Don’t overcrowd the pan – Leave 1-inch between meatballs for even baking.
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Brush with oil – Lightly coating with oil prevents sticking.
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Always use a meat thermometer – Checks for 165°F minimum internal temperature.
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Let rest 5 minutes – Allows juices to redistribute after baking.
Mastering these basics ensures your turkey meatballs turn out right every time.
5 Delicious Ways to Serve Baked Turkey Meatballs
Once baked, turkey meatballs are incredibly versatile. Here are just a few serving ideas:
- Over pasta with marinara or pesto sauce
- On meatball subs with cheese and veggies
- In soups or stews for added protein
- On skewers as an appetizer with dipping sauce
- Over rice or quinoa bowls
- On flatbread pizzas or in baked ziti
With so many possibilities, you’ll never get bored with turkey meatballs!
FAQs About Baking Turkey Meatballs at 350°F
How can you tell when turkey meatballs are fully cooked?
Check for an internal temperature of 165°F with a meat thermometer. Meatballs should also be firm throughout with no pink coloration.
Do you need to flip turkey meatballs during baking?
No flipping required! The benefit of baking is you can just place them on a sheet pan and let the oven do the work.
Can you bake frozen turkey meatballs?
Yes! Just add 3-5 extra minutes to the cook time and check temperature. Adjust time as needed for full thaw and 165°F internal temp.
How do you keep meatballs moist when baking?
Using a light touch when mixing, adding milk or broth, and not overpacking the pan all prevent drying. Brushing with oil before baking also helps.
What if my oven runs hot or cold?
Adjust bake time up or down and rely on an instant read thermometer for doneness, not just bake times.
Step-by-Step Baked Turkey Meatballs Recipe
Ready to bake up a batch of your own turkey meatballs? Follow this simple recipe:
Ingredients:
- 1 lb ground turkey (93% lean)
- 1/4 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 cup minced onion
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 Tbsp tomato paste
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a bowl, gently mix all ingredients until just combined.
- Form into 1.5-inch balls and place on prepared baking sheet.
- Brush tops lightly with olive oil.
- Bake 18-22 minutes until 165°F internal temperature.
- Let rest 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy!
Follow proper baking guidelines and times, and you’ll achieve tender, flavorful turkey meatballs every time. Now that you know how long to bake them, get creative with sauces and serving suggestions. Satisfy your family with these easy turkey meatballs!
WHAT TO SERVE WITH MEATBALLS
These baked turkey meatballs would go great with this easy side salad or this roasted asparagus . You guys. Piper likes asparagus! It’s like a small summer miracle.
Or you could serve it with this zucchini salad! When I was in NYC last week we did a cooking competition and my team made that recipe as part of the meal we were serving. The judge, who is a trained chef, took the time to comment on how good it was and then I spent four hours patting myself on the back.
If you make these meatballs or any of my other recipes, leave me a comment and let me know what you think!
TIPS AND TRICKS TO MAKING THESE GROUND TURKEY MEATBALLS
- As mentioned above, whisk your egg before tossing it in.
- I love creating my meatballs with a cookie scoop. It allows for really uniform meatballs that cook evenly and it makes fast work of making the meatballs.
- Since you are working with raw meat, set your pan and your cookie scoop out before you start hand mixing the meat and other ingredients.
- When you mix these, use your hands. It’s just the easiest method.
- You can definitely fry these if you want to, but it’s not necessary. They cook up perfectly fine in the oven and you are making the turkey meatballs healthier this way.
- These can be made ahead of time and then you can warm up the turkey meatballs in sauce on the stovetop.
