Ingredients
-
1¼ pounds lean ground turkey
-
¼ cup pesto
-
¼ cup breadcrumbs
-
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
-
1 teaspoon kosher salt
-
2 cups marinara sauce
Instructions
-
Preheat the oven. Heat the oven to 350°F.
-
Mix the ingredients. In a large bowl, combine the ground turkey, pesto, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, and salt. Mix gently with your hands until evenly incorporated.
-
Shape the meatballs. Scoop about 1 tablespoon of the mixture at a time and roll gently into balls. Avoid packing them too tightly to keep them tender.
-
Add the sauce. Pour the marinara sauce into a 9 × 11-inch baking dish. Arrange the meatballs in the sauce in a single layer.
-
Bake. Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 25–30 minutes, or until the meatballs are cooked through and reach an internal temperature of 165°F.
-
Serve. Spoon the meatballs and marinara sauce over pasta, rice, or your favorite side dish.
Notes
-
Keep the mixture tender: Mix only until the ingredients are combined. Overworking the turkey can make the meatballs dense.
-
Make them uniform: Use a tablespoon measure to create evenly sized meatballs that cook at a similar rate.
-
Choose your pesto: Basil pesto gives the meatballs a classic herb flavor, while kale pesto offers a delicious alternative.
-
Check for doneness: Ground turkey should reach 165°F in the center before serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Cuisine: Italian
