Description
These juicy and flavorful ground turkey meatballs are packed with fresh veggies and herbs, perfect for a healthy and satisfying meal. Whether baked in the oven, cooked in a skillet, or air fried, they come out tender and delicious, served with marinara sauce for a classic touch.
Ingredients
Meatballs
- 1 lb lean ground turkey
- ¼ cup finely chopped white onions
- ¾ cup shredded zucchini (stems discarded)
- 1 tsp salt
- ¼ tsp pepper
- 2 tbsp garlic cloves (chopped)
- ½ tsp dried crushed oregano
- 1 tsp paprika
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 egg
- ½ cup breadcrumbs (optional)
- ½ cup parmesan cheese
Serving
- ⅓ cup marinara sauce (plus extra for serving if desired)
Instructions
- Prepare Ingredients. Preheat your oven to 400ºF. Finely chop the onions and garlic cloves. Using a cheese grater, shred the zucchini and discard the stems. You may squeeze out excess moisture from the zucchini, but it is optional.
- Mix Meatball Ingredients. In a large bowl, combine ground turkey, chopped onions, shredded zucchini, garlic, salt (both amounts), pepper, dried oregano, paprika, red pepper flakes if using, egg, breadcrumbs if using, and parmesan cheese. Mix thoroughly using your hands to ensure all ingredients are evenly distributed.
- Form Meatballs. On a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil or parchment paper, or in a greased skillet, form the mixture into evenly sized 2-inch balls to ensure uniform cooking. If using an air fryer, arrange the meatballs on a parchment-lined air fryer basket.
- Add Marinara and Cook. Drizzle ⅓ cup of marinara sauce over and around the meatballs. Place the baking sheet in the center rack of the oven and bake for 20-22 minutes until meatballs are cooked through. Alternatively, brown the meatballs in a skillet over medium-high heat for 8-10 minutes on each side, turning often for even cooking. If air frying, cook at 390ºF for 16-18 minutes.
- Serve. Heat the remaining marinara sauce and serve it on the side or poured over the cooked meatballs. These meatballs pair perfectly over pasta or as a standalone dish.
Notes
- You can omit breadcrumbs for a gluten-free version but the texture may be denser.
- Squeezing out zucchini moisture is optional; leaving it in will keep the meatballs juicier.
- Adjust red pepper flakes according to spice preference or omit for a milder flavor.
- If cooking in an air fryer, monitor closely to avoid overcooking.
- Make sure meatballs are uniform size for even cooking.
