Description
These Oven Baked Turkey Ricotta Meatballs combine lean ground turkey with creamy ricotta cheese and Parmesan for a tender, flavorful dish. Baked to perfection and optionally broiled for a golden finish, these meatballs are a healthy and easy Italian-American main course perfect for dinner. Serve them with marinara sauce over pasta or with crusty bread for a satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Meatball Mixture
- 1 pound ground turkey
- 1 cup whole milk ricotta cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup Italian-style breadcrumbs
- 1 large egg
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
For Baking
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
For Serving (Optional)
- 2 cups marinara sauce
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and for easy cleanup.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl, gently mix together ground turkey, ricotta cheese, Parmesan cheese, Italian-style breadcrumbs, egg, minced garlic, chopped fresh parsley, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Be careful not to overmix to keep the meatballs tender.
- Form Meatballs: Using a cookie scoop or your hands, shape the mixture into 18 to 20 evenly sized meatballs. Place them spaced evenly on the prepared baking sheet.
- Add Olive Oil: Lightly brush or drizzle the tops of the meatballs with olive oil to help them brown and stay moist during baking.
- Bake: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake the meatballs for 18 to 22 minutes or until cooked through and an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) is reached.
- Optional Broil: For a golden, slightly crispy finish, broil the meatballs for an additional 2 to 3 minutes, watching carefully to avoid burning.
- Serve: Serve the warm meatballs topped with marinara sauce, over pasta, or alongside crusty bread for a complete meal.
Notes
- Do not overmix the meat mixture to keep the meatballs tender.
- These meatballs freeze well after baking, making them great for meal prep.
- For a gluten-free option, substitute the Italian-style breadcrumbs with gluten-free breadcrumbs.
- You may use ground chicken instead of turkey if preferred.
