These cheesy baked turkey meatballs are the kind of dinner that makes the whole kitchen smell amazing. Not to mention, it’s absolutely delicious! We pack the meatballs with herbs, garlic, Parmesan, and the right amount of seasoning, then bake them until tender and finish with warm marinara and melty mozzarella.
Serve them over pasta, tuck them into a sub, or grab a piece of crusty bread and dig in!
Ingredients
- 2 pounds ground turkey
- 1 cup diced yellow onion
- 4 garlic cloves, diced
- ½ cup panko breadcrumbs
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 3 eggs, beaten
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- 1 tablespoon dried basil
- 1 tablespoon dried parsley
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon fennel seeds
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 jar marinara sauce
- ¾ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- Fresh basil, for garnish
Directions
Step 1: Prep the Oven and Make the Meatball Mixture
First, preheat your oven to 400°F. While the oven is heating, add the ground turkey, onion, garlic, panko, Parmesan, beaten eggs, oregano, basil, parsley, salt, fennel seeds, and black pepper to a large mixing bowl. Now, roll up your sleeves and use your hands to mix everything until the ingredients are evenly blended. Try not to overmix the mixture, though.
Step 2: Shape the Meatballs
After that, shape the mixture into 12 meatballs, about 2 inches each. As you form them, try to keep the size fairly consistent so they all cook at about the same rate. Arrange the meatballs in a baking dish or oven safe skillet, still leaving a little space between them though.
Step 3: Bake and Brown the Meatballs
Now, place the meatballs in the preheated oven and bake for 15 minutes. Then, carefully remove the pan from the oven and switch on the broiler. Place the meatballs under the broiler for about 4 minutes, just until the tops develop a nice golden brown color. Keep a close eye on them during this step because the broiler can brown them very quickly.
Step 4: Add the Marinara and Cheese
Once the meatballs are nicely browned, take them out of the oven. Then pour marinara sauce over the meatballs and coat each one generously. Next, sprinkle the shredded mozzarella evenly over everything. Return the pan to the 400°F oven and bake for another 5 minutes, until the cheese melts completely and bubbles and the meatballs reach 165°F internally.
Step 5: Finish and Serve
Finally, take the meatballs out of the oven and sprinkle them with a little fresh basil. Serve them while they’re hot, cheesy, and covered in that delicious marinara sauce.
You can spoon them over your favorite pasta, serve them alongside some warm garlic bread, or enjoy them on their own for a simple and comforting meal. Either way, these turkey meatballs are an easy dinner that’s packed with flavor and perfect for a cozy night at home.
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