
How To Make Turkey Meatballs with Tomatoes and Basil
For a healthier, less guilty meat dish, try out these turkey meatballs. They’re tossed in rich tomato sauce, a bit of chili, and loads of fresh basil.
Serves:
Ingredients
For Meatballs:
- 1½lbground turkey,thigh meat if available
- ½cupsour cream
- 1egg
- ½cupbread crumbs
- 2tbspkosher salt
- 2tbspfresh basil,minced
- 1tbspthyme,dried
- 1tbspfennel seeds
- 2tbspfresh rosemary,minced
- 1tbsporegano,dried
- ½tspred pepper flakes
- â…“cupflour,for dredging
For Sauce:
- ¼cupextra virgin olive oil
- ½jalapeno chile,seeded, minced
- 2largegarlic cloves,minced
- 3tbspwhite wine,or chicken stock
- 1½lbsfresh tomatoes,roughly chopped, can substitute a 28 oz can of crushed tomatoes
- ¼cupfresh basil,thinly sliced
Instructions
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In a large bowl, place the turkey, bread crumbs, sour cream, egg, minced basil, salt, minced rosemary, oregano, thyme, fennel seeds, and red pepper flakes. Gently mix together using clean hands.
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Place flour in a shallow bowl or plate. Use the palms of your hands to form 2-inch wide meatballs.
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Roll the meatballs in the dredging flour and set them on a plate or tray. There should be about 18 to 22 meatballs.
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Heat the olive oil over medium high heat in a large, shallow sauté pan. Gently place the meatballs in the pan.
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Once the meatballs are sizzling, reduce the heat to medium low and gently cook them on at least 3 sides, so that they get browned pretty much all over, and cooked through.
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Use a fork to nudge the meatballs in the pan. Cooking the meatballs should take about 10 minutes per batch. A gentle heat will ensure that the browned meatballs get cooked through.
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Use a slotted spoon to remove the meatballs from the pan to bowl, set aside.
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Add the jalapeño and garlic to the pan and cook for 1 minute. Add the white wine or chicken stock. Increase the heat to high and boil down the liquid to the point where a wooden spoon leaves a trail through the pan as it scrapes along the bottom of the pan.
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Return the meatballs to the pan with the sauce and coat all over with the pan sauce.
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Add the fresh tomatoes and toss to coat. Cook for four minutes or until the tomatoes just begin to break down. Do not overcook the tomatoes.
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Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the fresh basil.
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Serve with fresh mozzarella, parmesan or pecorino cheese. Serve alone or with pasta, rice, or in a sandwich roll.
Nutrition
- Calories:Â 391.16kcal
- Fat:Â 23.15g
- Saturated Fat:Â 6.15g
- Trans Fat:Â 0.12g
- Monounsaturated Fat:Â 11.03g
- Polyunsaturated Fat:Â 4.10g
- Carbohydrates:Â 18.77g
- Fiber:Â 2.80g
- Sugar:Â 4.33g
- Protein:Â 26.93g
- Cholesterol:Â 114.87mg
- Sodium:Â 680.52mg
- Calcium:Â 106.05mg
- Potassium:Â 650.14mg
- Iron:Â 2.86mg
- Vitamin A: 124.23µg
- Vitamin C:Â 18.95mg
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