Pesto Baked Turkey Meatballs Recipe
These Pesto Baked Turkey Meatballs are a delicious and healthy twist on a classic favorite. Made with lean ground turkey and infused with flavorful pesto, garlic, and herbs, these meatballs are baked to perfection and topped with gooey mozzarella cheese. Perfect as a main dish served over noodles or veggies, they’re a simple, family-friendly recipe that’s packed with flavor and easy to prepare.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 16 meatballs (serves 4) 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Scale
Meatball Mixture
- 1.5 lb ground turkey
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp dried basil
Pesto and Topping
- 1 cup pesto (divided: 1/4 cup for baking dish, 3/4 cup for topping)
- 2/3 cup mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to prepare for baking the meatballs.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine ground turkey, egg, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and dried basil. Mix together thoroughly using your hands to ensure the seasonings are evenly distributed.
- Prepare Baking Dish: Spread 1/4 cup of pesto in a thin layer along the bottom of a 10×10 inch square baking dish. This will add flavor and prevent sticking.
- Form Meatballs: Using about 2 tablespoons of the turkey mixture, form 16 evenly sized meatballs by rolling between your palms.
- Arrange Meatballs in Dish: Place all 16 meatballs in the pesto-lined baking dish, evenly spaced.
- Add Remaining Pesto: Pour the remaining 3/4 cup of pesto over the meatballs, ensuring each is well coated with the sauce.
- Bake Meatballs: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25 minutes.
- Add Cheese and Continue Baking: Remove the dish from the oven. Sprinkle the mozzarella cheese evenly over the meatballs. Return to the oven and bake for an additional 5 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the meatballs to cool slightly before serving. They pair wonderfully with noodles or steamed vegetables for a complete meal.
Notes
- Ground turkey can be substituted with ground chicken or lean beef if preferred.
- For a spicier kick, add red pepper flakes to the meatball mixture.
- Fresh basil can be used instead of dried basil for a brighter flavor.
- Serve with pasta, rice, or a fresh salad to make it a complete meal.
- Leftover meatballs can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 1 month.
Keywords: pesto turkey meatballs, baked meatballs, healthy turkey recipe, easy dinner, Italian meatballs, mozzarella topping
Find it online: https://cheflenacooks.com/pesto-baked-turkey-meatballs-recipe/
