Oven Baked Turkey Meatballs

These turkey meatballs are juicy, tender, and perfect for meal planning! They're quick and easy to make in less than 30 minutes with minimal cleanup.

Meal Plan Friendly:

I'm a type B personality so I resist rigid plans, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't have a flexible plan!

Meal planning for me looks like making these healthy turkey meatballs ahead of time so they're available when I need a high-protein snack.

This minimizes the temptation for fast food or empty calories. I make a double batch at the beginning of the week and refrigerate them. They never last long!

Key Ingredients:

• Ground turkey - I use 85% lean so the meatballs stay tender and juicy. If you need to cut calories or just prefer less fat, you can go with 93% lean.
• Onion & garlic - Mince the onion into little pieces so it's hardly noticeable.
• Quick oats - My secret ingredient! Quick oats absorb moisture quickly but never get slimy! And I always have them in my pantry.
• Spices - I kept it simple with Italian seasoning and kosher salt. Feel free to customize what spices you use!
• Egg - Egg works double duty. It gives the meatballs structure AND it works as an egg wash, sealing the juices inside.
• Milk - The oats absorb the milk and keep the meatballs juicy.

How to Make these Turkey Meatballs:

These ground turkey meatballs are so simple with less than 10 minutes of hands-on time.

The hardest part is forming them into balls, which is kind of fun!

Before you start, preheat your oven and prepare your sheet pan. Aluminum foil makes cleanup a breeze! I lined my sheet pan with it, then sprayed it with avocado oil so the meatballs wouldn't stick to it.

• Combine ingredients: In a large bowl, combine everything but the milk and egg.
• Add the liquid: In a liquid measuring cup, whisk the milk and egg, then add it to the turkey.

• Form the meatballs: I use clean hands to form the meatballs. I just eyeball it. You should get 12 meatballs in total.
• Egg wash: Whisk an egg and a tablespoon of water together. Brush it onto the meatballs.
• Bake: Bake the meatballs until an instant-read thermometer reads 165 degrees Fahrenheit. I bought mine on Amazon for 7 bucks and it works like a dream!

Storage & Freezer Tips:

Storage Tips:

• Let the meatballs cool, then transfer them to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to four days.
• Reheat meatballs in a heat-proof bowl in the microwave until hot throughout. Use a spoon to rotate them halfway through for even cooking.
• I like to cut them in half before I microwave them so they cook evenly.

Freezer Tips:

• Turkey meatballs are freezer-friendly!
• Transfer the cooled meatballs to a pan lined with parchment paper. Place in the freezer until the meatballs are frozen. Transfer them to a freezer zip-top bag and label with the date.
• Thaw frozen meatballs in the refrigerator overnight.

Serving Suggestions:

• Marinara - My favorite option! You can keep it simple and microwave the sauce OR warm it up in a skillet, then add the meatballs.
• Pesto - Homemade or jarred pesto both work great!
• Sandwiches - Make a full on meatball sandwich OR make a slider with a King's Hawaiian roll. Add a slice of provolone and some marinara.
• Sauteed veggies - Sauté your favorite veggies and serve together! Peppers and onions are a great choice.
• Pasta - Serve these alongside your favorite pasta or zucchini noodles. If you don't eat pasta, try serving them atop roasted spaghetti squash.
• Mashed potatoes - Try them with mashed potatoes and gravy!

Expert Tips:

• Use a meat thermometer! The meatballs should reach a temperature of 165 degrees to be safe to eat. You don't want to overbake them either! Overbaked meatballs taste dry instead of juicy.
• Don't overwork the turkey. I add all the ingredients to a bowl, then mix until combined. No need to go crazy with it. Overworked meat will get tough instead of tender.
• Don't forget the aluminum foil. Covering the pan with aluminum foil makes cleanup easy! Just throw the foil in the trash and you're done!

Easy Dinner Recipes:

• Easy Gluten Free Meatballs
• Healthy Ground Turkey Quinoa Bowls
• Simple Turkey Chili
• Thai Turkey Lettuce Wraps
• 15 Flavorful Ground Turkey Recipes