Turkey and mozzarella meatballs in tomato sauce are a filling and flavorful dish that’s perfect for dinner. This recipe is easy to make and doesn’t require a lot of prep work, so it’s great for busy weeknights.

The turkey meatballs are seasoned with garlic, onion, and Italian herbs and spices, and the mozzarella cheese adds a creamy texture to the dish. The tomato sauce is made from scratch with fresh tomatoes, and it’s simmered in a skillet until it’s thick and flavorful.

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground turkey
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 small onion, grated
• 1 egg
• 1/2 tsp dried oregano
• 1/2 tsp dried basil
• 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 onion, finely chopped
• 4-5 medium tomatoes, roughly chopped
• 1 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 tsp sugar
• 1/2 tsp dried oregano
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• Fresh basil leaves for garnish

Instructions

1. In a large bowl, combine the ground turkey, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, parsley, minced garlic, grated onion, egg, dried oregano, dried basil, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper. Mix well to combine.
2. Take a heaping tablespoon of the turkey mixture and roll it into a ball. Press your thumb into the center of the ball and place a small piece of shredded mozzarella cheese in the indentation. Roll the ball back into a sphere, making sure the mozzarella is completely enclosed. Repeat with the remaining turkey mixture and mozzarella cheese.
3. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and chopped onion and sauté for 2-3 minutes, until the onion is translucent.
4. Add the chopped tomatoes, tomato paste, sugar, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper to the skillet. Simmer the sauce for about 15-20 minutes, or until it’s thickened and the tomatoes have broken down into a sauce.
5. Once the sauce is thickened, add the turkey meatballs to the skillet. Cover the skillet and simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until the meatballs are cooked through.
6. Remove the skillet from the heat and let it cool for a few minutes. Garnish the meatballs with fresh basil leaves and serve hot with a side salad or pasta.

Variations

This recipe is easy to customize to your liking. Here are a few variations:.

Spicy Meatballs

If you like your food spicy, add a bit more red pepper flakes to the turkey meatball mixture. You can also add some diced jalapeño peppers or a pinch of cayenne pepper to the tomato sauce.

Related Article Italian-style turkey meatballs with mozzarella and tomato sauce

Cheesy Meatballs

If you love cheese, you can add more shredded mozzarella cheese to the turkey meatball mixture. You can also top the finished dish with more shredded mozzarella cheese and broil it in the oven for a few minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Vegetarian Meatballs

If you’re a vegetarian, you can substitute the ground turkey in this recipe with a meat substitute like Beyond Meat or Tofurky. Use vegan Parmesan cheese and omit the egg for a vegan version of this dish.

Conclusion

Turkey and mozzarella meatballs in tomato sauce is a delicious and hearty meal that’s perfect for any night of the week. It’s easy to make and can be customized to suit your taste preferences.

Whether you like your food spicy, cheesy, or vegetarian, this recipe is a great base to work from. So why not give it a try tonight?.