Description
These Turkey Ricotta Meatballs are a delicious and healthier twist on classic Italian meatballs. Made with lean ground turkey and creamy ricotta cheese, they’re baked to perfection and simmered in a savory marinara sauce. Ideal for a comforting weeknight dinner, they offer a flavorful, tender bite that pairs beautifully with pasta, zucchini noodles, or a toasted sub roll.
Ingredients
Scale
Meatball Mixture
- 1 pound ground turkey
- 1/2 cup whole milk ricotta cheese
- 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup Italian-style breadcrumbs
- 1 large egg
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
For Cooking
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cups marinara sauce
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 400°F (200°C) to prepare for baking the meatballs evenly.
- Mix Meatball Ingredients: In a large bowl, gently combine ground turkey, ricotta cheese, Parmesan, breadcrumbs, egg, minced garlic, parsley, oregano, salt, and black pepper. Mix just until combined to keep the meatballs tender.
- Form Meatballs: Shape the mixture into 16 to 18 evenly sized meatballs and place them on a lightly greased baking sheet for even cooking.
- Bake Meatballs: Bake in the preheated oven for 18 to 22 minutes until the meatballs are lightly browned and reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) for safety.
- Warm Marinara Sauce: While the meatballs bake, heat marinara sauce in a large skillet over medium heat to prepare for simmering the meatballs.
- Simmer Meatballs in Sauce: Transfer the baked meatballs into the skillet with marinara and simmer gently for 5 to 10 minutes to infuse the flavors together.
- Serve: Serve the meatballs hot with your choice of pasta, zucchini noodles, or inside a toasted sub roll for a hearty meal.
Notes
- For extra moisture, consider using dark meat ground turkey.
- Alternatively, brown the meatballs in a skillet with olive oil for 6 to 8 minutes before simmering in sauce.
- These meatballs are versatile; serve over pasta, zucchini noodles, or in a toasted sub roll for different meal options.
