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Turkey Meatballs with pesto and garlic are seared and simmered in a rich and delicious tomato sauce. Serve over a bed of spaghetti, it’s the perfect dinner!
An old Turkey Meatball recipe I pulled out of my Instagram archives. A few of my readers made these this week and reminded me of how GOOD these are.
Pesto and garlic infused Turkey meatballs are juicy and tender with so much flavour.
Soft on the inside — not dry like most meatballs can be. With a mixture of spices, every bite is guaranteed a hint of Pesto flavour.
This turkey meatballs recipe makes 18! If you’re a fan of Turkey our Garlic Herb Butter Roast Turkey is the go-to recipe for cooking a juicy thanksgiving Turkey
Sear them until they’re nice and browned; then simmer them in this sauce until they’re just cooked through.
The Pesto creates an amazing aroma through your kitchen. Don’t dip your fingers in to taste-test like I did…just hold off and garnish them with parmesan cheese and parsley. Then toss the sauce through your spaghetti.
Take a good hard long look at the beautiful dish in front of you…because it won’t last long before your hear everyone around you sucking in noodles and stuffing their faces with the best balls they’ve ever eaten in their lifetime times 50.
One of the best meatball recipes I’ve created. Even if you don’t like Pesto, these will change your mind!
Love meatballs? Try these recipes!
Mozzarella Meatballs In Tomato Sauce
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Turkey Pesto and Garlic Meatballs
Ingredients
Meatballs:
- 2 pounds lean ground turkey mince or beef, pork or chicken
- 1 cup breadcrumbs or almond meal for lower carb
- 1 large egg
- 4 tablespoons traditional basil pesto
- 1/4 cup chopped parsley
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 4 cloves garlic crushed or minced
- 2 teaspoons paprika sweet or smokey
- 1 pinch red chilli flakes optional but gives a nice kick
- 2 teaspoons salt to season
Sauce:
- 17 ounces pasta sauce of choice or crushed tomatoes
- 15 ounces condensed tomato soup or Passata / Tomato Sauce for U.S readers
- 2 teaspoons salt and pepper to taste
- 1 handful fresh chopped parsley and grated parmesan to serve
Instructions
- Combine all meatball ingredients in a large sized bowl. Shape into meatballs (I made 18 meatballs about 2-inches in diameter).
- Spray a nonstick pan with cooking oil spray or grease with a drizzle of olive oil and pan fry meatballs until underside is golden. Turn them and cook until browned on both sides.
- Pour in tomato sauce (or crushed tomatoes) and the tomato soup (or passata/sauce). Season with salt and fresh cracked pepper. Simmer on low heat for 10 – 15 minutes or until meatballs are cooked through.
- Garnish with parsley and parmesan cheese, and serve over spaghetti or quinoa or rice!
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
This was awesome, thank you!! Impressed the guy I was cooking for 🙂 I added some brown sugar. Definitely keeping this recipe.
I made these meatballs for dinner last night and they were a hit! So moist and delicious. Thanks for the recipes Karina. I’ve made a few of your dishes and have loved all of them. Keep them coming!!! This is now my go to meatball recipe.
Hi Marabel I’m so happy to read this! Thank you for coming by to let me know. It means a lot to me when you like a recipe! Thank you so much Xxx
Can’t beat a good turkey meatball look like I’m make Dinner tonight !
Haha for sure Mike 🙂
At which point do you suggest these can be frozen?
Hi! Cool them down to room temperature first before freezing 🙂
I want that eating through the screen computer app right now!
I feel life would be complete with that app 😉
I can’t remember the last time I had spaghetti and meatballs and now I think I need to make them. Very very soon.
Aw Chrissy I think so too! Lol Xx
They look GORGEOUS!
Reeeeaally??? Wowwww thank you Nicole. You floor me every time you comment lol. Thank you so much! Xxx