Love meatballs and pasta, but your waistline doesn’t? Here’s a lighter version of this classic meal that the whole family will love — turkey meatballs!
This is one of my favorite dishes. Not only are turkey meatballs delicious and easy to prepare, they’re also low in calories, low in fat, and high in protein. At 62 calories and 7.2 g of protein per meatball (not including sauce), it’s a no-guilt meal that’s filling.
Using lean turkey instead of fattier ground beef makes this recipe healthier than traditional meatballs. Saturated fat is the type of fat that can stay in the arteries and could possibly lead to heart disease. Saturated fat comes from animal products such as meat. Therefore, when selecting meats it’s best to pick leaner meats with less fat in them, such as turkey.
My version is also wheat-free, using oatmeal instead of bread crumbs.
These meatballs are great on their own, or served with spaghetti sauce or barbecue sauce. Pair with brown rice or veggie pasta instead of regular pasta, and add a green vegetable or salad, and you have a hearty and nutritious complete meal!
Ingredients
- 1.25 lb. lean ground turkey
- 1/4 cup finely chopped onion
- 2 tablespoons dried chopped parsley
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder (or 3 cloves, minced)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon oregano
- 1 egg, beaten
- 1/2 cup quick oats
- 1/4 cup almond milk
- Optional: 1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese
Directions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a mixing bowl, beat the egg.
- Add remaining ingredients except turkey, combine well.
- Add turkey to the mixture, and combine well. It’s easier to do this with your hands (I use vinyl gloves) than a spoon.
- Form into 1.5″ balls and place on the baking pan.
- Bake for 30 minutes, turning the meatballs over halfway through.
Makes approx. 17 meatballs.
Enjoy!
©Michelle Rogers, Inc.
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