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.
This recipe makes the best turkey meatballs, and you can serve them in a lot of different ways.
It takes 20 minutes to prepare and 28 minutes to bake. You’ll need a mixing bowl, a sheet pan, and an oven.
There’s a restaurant in town that serves delicious spaghetti and meatballs. Or should I say “meatball,” since that’s all you get: a baseball-sized meatball on top of sausage 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. One big meatball was in the can, but there were several small meatballs about the size of a dime inside. My sister and I used to keep track of them so that each of us got the same 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. A lot of us have eaten meatballs with pasta, noodles, or rice, smothered in sauces from all over the world. You may have heard of creamy Swedish meatballs, but have you tried Greek meatballs with tzatziki? Honey-glazed meatballs from Chipotle are a popular way to serve appetizers or fill out a sandwich. 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!.
Cooking turkey meatballs in the oven at 375 degrees Fahrenheit is a great hands-off way to make delicious, moist meatballs. With just a few simple ingredients, you can have a nutritious main dish or appetizer ready in under 30 minutes. Here’s everything you need to know about how long to bake turkey meatballs at 375 degrees.
Why Bake Turkey Meatballs?
Baking turkey meatballs has several advantages over other cooking methods:
- Requires no oil for frying, making it a healthier cooking method.
- Produces evenly browned meatballs without needing to flip or turn them.
- Easy cleanup since there’s no messy frying pan to deal with.
- Allows you to simply mix the ingredients, shape into balls, and pop in the oven.
- Gives you time to make side dishes while the meatballs bake unattended.
So if you’re looking for an easy way to make turkey meatballs with great results, baking is the way to go!
Factors That Affect Bake Time
While most turkey meatball recipes call for baking at around 375 degrees F, bake times can vary. Here are some factors that affect how long they take to fully cook:
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Size of meatballs – Smaller meatballs will cook faster, while larger ones take longer Shoot for around 15 inches in diameter for the average bake time.
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Ingredients – Meatballs with cheese, breadcrumbs or oats will take a little longer than plain turkey meatballs.
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Meat temperature – Chilled meat straight from the fridge will add a few minutes to the bake time versus room temperature meat.
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Quantity – A crowded pan will necessitate slightly longer baking than a pan with space between each meatball,
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Convection setting – If your oven has a convection setting, you can shorten cooking time slightly.
So while general timing guidelines are helpful, always check your meatballs internally to ensure they’ve reached a safe minimum temperature
How Long to Bake Turkey Meatballs at 375°F
Most recipes recommend baking turkey meatballs at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for around 15 to 30 minutes. Here are some more specific guidelines based on meatball size:
- 1-inch diameter meatballs: Cook for 15-18 minutes
- 1.5-inch diameter meatballs: Cook for 18-22 minutes
- 2-inch diameter meatballs: Cook for 22-28 minutes
The most accurate test is to use an instant-read thermometer to check the internal temperature of a meatball. Turkey meatballs are safely cooked through once they register 165°F in the center. If undercooked, return to the oven for a few more minutes until reaching 165°F.
Tips for Perfect Oven-Baked Turkey Meatballs
Follow these tips for the best results when making turkey meatballs in the oven:
- Use 93% lean ground turkey for flavorful, moist meatballs.
- Mix ingredients gently to avoid overworking the meat which can make meatballs tough.
- Shape uniformly sized meatballs so they cook evenly. A cookie dough scoop can help with portioning.
- Arrange meatballs in a single layer on a foil-lined baking sheet with space between them.
- Brush lightly with oil to help promote browning.
- Preheat oven fully before baking. Middle rack position is best.
- Rotate pan halfway through baking for even cooking.
- Check temperature early; meatballs firm up when fully cooked.
- Let rest 5 minutes before serving to allow juices to redistribute.
Serving Ideas for Baked Turkey Meatballs
The possibilities are endless when it comes to serving oven-baked turkey meatballs! Here are just a few ideas:
- Classic spaghetti and meatballs with marinara sauce
- Meatball subs with cheese, lettuce, tomato, and your favorite condiments
- Meatballs in soup – try turkey noodle soup or minestrone
- Swedish style meatballs with creamy mushroom gravy over mashed potatoes or egg noodles
- Meatball appetizers with a tangy dipping sauce like honey mustard or Thai peanut sauce
- Toss cooked meatballs in your favorite barbecue sauce for sliders or flatbreads
- Stir meatballs into chili or stew for extra heartiness
Get creative with seasonings and sauces to give basic turkey meatballs an international flair. They’re versatile enough to work in so many dishes!
Storing and Freezing Leftover Meatballs
Cooked turkey meatballs freeze exceptionally well for quick meals later. Here are some storage tips:
- Allow cooked meatballs to cool completely before freezing to prevent excess moisture from freezing.
- Place in a single layer on a pan and freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag or container.
- Frozen cooked meatballs keep well for 2-3 months in the freezer.
- To reheat, add frozen meatballs to sauces, soups or stews, or bake in a 375°F oven until heated through. Microwaving can cause texture issues.
- Refrigerate leftovers for up to 4 days. Reheat gently before serving.
With a simple recipe and a 375 degree oven, you can enjoy tasty turkey meatballs any night of the week. Just adjust cooking times based on size and quantity. Checking temperature ensures they turn out perfectly moist and safe to eat. Then get creative with fun serving ideas for the family!
Ways To Change Up This Meatball Recipe
- You can skip the fresh minced onions and garlic and use onion powder and garlic powder instead. This will make the recipe even easier and faster. You can also substitute dried herbs for the fresh. So simple! I’ve written out the steps for the changes on the recipe for you.
- Make the size you like. Make really large meatballs or really small meatballs. Change the cooking time so that big meatballs take longer and small meatballs take less time. But try to make all the meatballs the same size so they cook all the way through.
- 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. Add mint, parsley, cinnamon, and oregano to meatballs to make them taste like they came from Greece. Serve them with tzatziki, if you like.
- Non-dairy: Leave out the cheese and use a tablespoon of water instead of milk.
- You don’t like turkey? Try these classic meatballs made with ground beef and pork, or these 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. The meatballs don’t really have a chance to fall apart because you aren’t moving them around in a frying pan with a spatula or tongs. 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 mix the cooked meatballs carefully into the sauce right before serving, or arrange them on a plate and pour the sauce over them. 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. If I want to add a little more color and flavor, I sometimes broil the meatballs for a few minutes to brown the tops.
To make something other than dry breadcrumbs or panko, you can use 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. This recipe calls for 3/4 cup of oats, 1 cup of soft breadcrumbs, or 1/3 cup of crushed cracker crumbs or tortilla chips if you don’t have breadcrumbs.
Cooking TipIs the mixture sticking to your fingers too much, making it hard to roll? Occasionally dipping your fingertips in a bowl of water will help prevent that from happening.
Bake. Brush or spray the meatballs lightly with olive oil and put them in a preheated oven. Bake for 25 to 28 minutes, or until they’re lightly browned. Enjoy!.
The BEST Baked Turkey Meatballs | LOADED With of Flavor!
FAQ
Is it better to bake meatballs at 350 or 400?
How do you know when ground turkey meatballs are cooked?
What temperature should meatballs be cooked at?