Turkey meatballs roasted tomato (Printable)
Tender turkey meatballs simmered in a vibrant garlicky roasted tomato sauce for a wholesome dinner.
# What You Need:
→ For the Roasted Tomato Sauce
01 - 2 lbs ripe tomatoes, halved
02 - 1 medium yellow onion, peeled and quartered
03 - 4 garlic cloves, peeled
04 - 2 tbsp olive oil
05 - 1 tsp salt
06 - ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper
07 - 1 tsp dried oregano
08 - 1 tsp sugar (optional, to balance acidity)
09 - 1 handful fresh basil leaves, torn
→ For the Turkey Meatballs
10 - 1.1 lbs ground turkey (preferably thigh)
11 - 1 large egg
12 - ½ cup breadcrumbs
13 - ¼ cup whole milk
14 - 2 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese
15 - 2 tbsp finely chopped parsley
16 - 1 garlic clove, minced
17 - 1 tsp salt
18 - ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper
19 - ½ tsp dried thyme
20 - 2 tbsp olive oil (for searing)
# How To Make It:
01 - Preheat oven to 425°F. Line a baking tray with parchment paper.
02 - Place tomatoes (cut side up), onion, and garlic on the tray. Drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with salt, pepper, and oregano. Roast for 25 minutes, until tomatoes are soft and slightly caramelized.
03 - While the vegetables roast, soak breadcrumbs in milk in a large bowl for 5 minutes.
04 - Add ground turkey, egg, Parmesan, parsley, minced garlic, salt, pepper, and thyme to the breadcrumbs. Mix gently with your hands until just combined.
05 - Form the mixture into 16 golf ball-sized meatballs.
06 - Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Brown the meatballs in batches, turning until golden (about 5 minutes). Set aside on a plate.
07 - Transfer roasted vegetables to a blender or food processor. Add sugar (if using). Blend until smooth. Pour sauce into a large, deep skillet or saucepan. Bring to a gentle simmer.
08 - Add meatballs to the sauce. Cover and simmer on low for 15-20 minutes, until meatballs are cooked through.
09 - Stir in fresh basil leaves just before serving.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- The roasted tomato sauce tastes like it simmered all day but comes together in under an hour
- Turkey meatballs stay incredibly tender thanks to the milk soaked breadcrumb trick
02 -
- Do not skip the milk soak for breadcrumbs, it is what keeps turkey from becoming dry
- Let the meatballs rest a few minutes after searing so they do not fall apart in the sauce
03 -
- Use a rimmed baking sheet for the tomatoes, they release a lot of liquid as they roast
- Let the blender cool slightly before blending hot vegetables to avoid pressure buildup