Skillet Turkey Meatballs - tender and moist this is a meal your whole family will enjoy and will quickly become your favorite meatball recipe! Leaner than the traditional, these tender meatballs they are packed with flavor, fork tender and delicious!
Next be sure and try the grilled turkey burger recipe - it's SO GOOD!
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Why you'll love this recipe
✔️ Baked in the oven, rather than fried, they are broiled to perfection!
✔️ This meal is perfect for a lazy Saturday night but delicious enough for company!
✔️ This easy recipe sneaks in some extra vegetables and it's delicious!
Ingredients
For the exact measurements for the classic turkey meatballs, please refer to the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- lean ground turkey - though you can certainly substitute ground chicken, sausage or even ground beef.
- frozen spinach - a great budget friendly ingredient!
- yellow onion - you could also use white or red onions.
- parmesan cheese or feta cheese, both are amazing.
- egg
- bread crumbs - homemade or store bought, panko breadcrumbs.
- salt, pepper, chili powder
Instructions
This is an overview of the instructions for the skillet meatballs. For the complete directions just scroll down to the bottom!
- Combine turkey and all of the above ingredients in a large bowl, mixing them well but being careful not to over-mix (that will make the meatballs tough).
- Using a small cookie scoop, portion out the meatball mixture and shape them into balls. Spray baking sheet with non-stick coating or line with parchment paper. Place on baking sheet in a single layer.
- Place the homemade meatballs under the broiler for about twelve minutes until golden brown.
- Remove from the oven and change the temperature to 350 degrees.
- Add approximately ⅓ of the pasta sauce to the bottom of a large skillet. Add the meatballs to the pan, top with the remaining pasta sauce and sprinkle with cheese.
- Cover with foil and bake in the oven for 30 minutes. Serve garnished with fresh parsley, enjoy!
Equipment
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- baking sheet
- cast iron skillet
FAQ's
When meatballs don't stick together it's usually because of the binder. Too much or too little breadcrumbs. Eggs also help them stick together.
The best way to know if the meatballs are done is to use an instant read thermometer. Turkey should have an internal temperature of 165 degrees.
If the meatballs are rubbery or tough it's because they've been over-mixed.
You can actually do either. I prefer to broil them because they get a golden crust. They stand up in sauce well and hold their shape.
I don't recommend cooking the meatballs raw in sauce. They won't stick together.
Bathed in sauce, topped with cheese and broiled in the oven until golden! This with some delicious air fryer garlic bread and serve with your favorite red wine!
Then topped with more sauce and some salty parmesan cheese.
Yummy and easy these meatballs are SO DELICIOUS!
Variations
- Substitute the ground turkey for ground chicken or ground lamb and make lamb meatballs!
- Next time you make these, stuff them with mozzarella cheese. Wouldn't that be fantastic? Turn this into a cheesy turkey meatball skillet dinner - yum!
Tips
Using a fork to mix and combine the ingredients will help keep the meatballs tender!
If the meatballs are rubbery or tough it's because they've been over-mixed.
Line the baking sheet with aluminum foil or parchment paper for easy cleanup.
Related recipes
Be sure to try this recipe for Asian Pork Meatballs soon! These are super easy to make and perfect for a simple dinner and a tasty appetizer as well!
A few more skillet recipes on the blog are Chicken and Potatoes - super yummy! And if you haven't made it yet, be sure and try Chicken and Zucchini - I love this meal!!
Serving suggestions
I made an extra batch of Mom's Sunday Gravy Sauce to enjoy with this meal. I poured about some in the bottom of the pan then nestled the meatballs into it.
- You can top off a bowl of spaghetti.
- Stuff them into some great sourdough bread topped off with cheese for a meatball sandwich.
- Serve with your favorite sauce for the perfect appetizer.
- Pair with pan-fried vegetables and ham and potato casserole and you have one amazing meal!
- Enjoy smothered in Mom's Sunday Gravy topped with cheese, what a delicious dinner!
For a complete list of side dishes on the blog follow this link.
This easy Turkey Meatball Recipe has so much flavor, everyone will loves them!
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If you love this recipe please leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating!
Easy Turkey Meatball Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground turkey
- 1 10 oz. frozen spinach thawed
- 1 egg
- 1 cup parmesan cheese divided
- ½ cup onion diced
- 1 clove garlic minced
- ¼ cup bread crumbs
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- ¼ teaspoon chili powder
- 1 quart Mom's Sunday Gravy or your favorite Marinara Sauce
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Instructions
- Preheat broiler
- Combine the above ingredients, mixing them well but being careful not to over-mix.
- Using a small ice-cream scoop portion them out and shape them into balls and place on a pan sprayed with non-stick coating.
- Broil for 10-12 minutes or until the meatballs are cooked thru. Keep an eye on them to avoid burning.
- Remove from the oven and change the temperature to 350 degrees.
- Add approximately ⅓ of the pasta sauce to the bottom of a large skillet. Add the meatballs to the pan, top with the remaining pasta sauce and sprinkle with cheese.
- Cover with foil and bake in the oven for 30 minutes. Serve and enjoy!
Healing Tomato
This looks like the perfect meal for the whole family. Deb, you really know how to feed the soul! Looks so good.
Bowl Me Over
? I do enjoy feeding a crowd!! Thank you Rini!!
Dannii
Meatballs are the ultimate comfort food and we often use turkey too. I am craving meatballs now!
Bowl Me Over
One order coming up Dannii!! 😀
Anna
Perfect, easy, comforting recipe! Ideal for mid-week dinner! Thanks for sharing
Bowl Me Over
You’re welcome Anna - these are so delicious, I hope you give them a try!
Lucy @ Supergoldenbakes
The spinach and the cheese push these meatballs into the dangerously addictive category for me. And thanks for all those ideas on how to serve them. I'm favouring the cocktail sticks right now since it's party season.
Bowl Me Over
Oh yes, perfect for a party - serves a crowd and so easy too! Thanks Lucy!
Brian Jones
They sound superb, your cooking method is very similar to mine, cooking in the oven allows them to almost poach in the sauce and stay lovely and moist.
Bowl Me Over
Oven baking makes such a difference - so true Brian - enjoy!
Marie
These meatballs look amazing! Love the addition of spinach and cheese. I need to add this to my list of recipes to try next!
Bowl Me Over
Great, I know you’ll really enjoy them Marie - these meatballs are the BEST!!
Sandi
I bet this would be a great way to sneak some veggies into my kids :-). They love meatballs and this recipe looks so good. Thank you so much for this recipe 🙂
Bowl Me Over
What they don't know won't hurt them right? 😀 Seriously though I bet they will really love these meatballs!
Madi
These meatballs would be awesome for Thanksgiving! I need to make them!
Bowl Me Over
They are so yummy, enjoy Madi!!!
Michele @ Bacon Fatte
These turkey meatballs look so good... LOVE the spinach and cheese additions. Yum!
Bowl Me Over
These are so yummy, I hope you give them a try. Thanks so much Michele!
Jennifer A Stewart
Perfect for Sunday Supper or as an appetizer for all the holiday parties! Plus some extra veggies inside!
Bowl Me Over
Thank you Jennifer, great for all of the above! 😀
Lori Vachon
I'm definitely trying these soon, I love spinach in meatballs!
Bowl Me Over
Enjoy Lori - these are a real favorite in our home!!
Sandra
These meatballs look delicious and versiatile! My husband would love a meatball sub out of these and I'll enjoy them over veggies!
Bowl Me Over
Wonderful, enjoy Sandra and thank you for stopping by!
Anglea
Loving these meatballs! I cant wait to try them... I really like the idea of adding spinach to the meatballs! Thanks for another fabulous recipe!
Bowl Me Over
Wonderful - I think you and your whole family will enjoy these Angela! Love these meatballs!
Liza
Oh, these are BEAUTIFUL! I mean... I love my turkey meatballs... But with the spinach AND with cheese - that's beyond yummy! It's supreme! 🙂
Bowl Me Over
Thank you so much Liza! These are so amazing, I hope you give them a try!!