Name: Easy Turkey Meatballs In Tomato Sauce (Healthy)
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 40 min
Ingredients: 1x14.11oz can tomatoes; 2 tablespoons tomato puree; 4 sundried tomatoes (in oil, chopped); 1 onion (chopped); 2 garlic cloves (finely chopped); ½ celery stalk (chopped); 3 tablespoons white wine; 3 tablespoons fresh basil (finely chopped); 2 tablespoons olive oil; ⅓ teaspoon fine sea salt (and pepper to taste); 1.1 pounds ground turkey (approx. 7% fat); ½ soft roll/bun (torn into small pieces); 1½ tablespoons milk or water; 1 tablespoon tomato puree; ⅓ teaspoon onion granules; ½ teaspoon fine sea salt (and pepper to taste)

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These healthy turkey meatballs in tomato sauce are a delicious and easy to make dinner idea. Your family will love the soft meatballs in a tangy sauce served over a bowl of steaming spaghetti. Ready in under 40 minutes.

Check out also healthy meatballs in mushroom sauce.

Meatballs in tomato sauce in pan on top of grey wooden board.

Why this recipe works

It's quick and contains few ingredients! This dish, made from scratch, comes together in under 40 minutes. You can reduce this further by preparing the sauce in advance (see Notes below).
It's healthy. The meat contains only 7% fat and the sauce is made using a little olive oil and a scatter of parmesan cheese.
You can use any ground meat to make the meatballs.
The meatballs are light and fluffy and guaranteed to be a hit with adults and children alike.

Ingredients

How to make fluffy meatballs

Meatballs are easy to make but it's important to keep a few things in mind in order to ensure they are light and fluffy too.

Use a bit of soft bread and milk or water. The bread will soak up the moisture so even though your meatballs are low in fat they will turn out moist and fluffy. Adding breadcrumbs will not produce the same results.
Use a food processor/blender to combine the ingredients. This is not only easier and quicker to do than using a spoon but also helps to make soft and fluffy meatballs.

Step-by-step recipe instructions

1.To make the sauce in a saucepan heat up 2 tablespoons of oil, add the chopped onion, garlic and celery and fry for 3 minutes stirring often. Pour in the wine and cook for another minute or so.

Chopped onion and celery in pot with spoon.

2. Add the canned tomatoes, tomato paste, sun dried tomatoes, salt and pepper, cover and bring to the boil then simmer gently for 10 minutes stirring occasionally.

3. Remove from the heat, add the chopped basil and puree the mixture. Cover and set aside while you make the meatballs. Preheat the oven to 400 F/ 200 C/ gas mark 6.

Tomato sauce with chopped basil and stick blender end piece in pot.

4. Whilst the tomato sauce is bubbling away make the meatballs. In a blender bowl combine the meat, 1 tablespoon of tomato paste, torn bun/bread, milk/water, salt, pepper and onion granules.

Ground turkey, bread, tomato paste and spoon in blender bowl.

5. Pulse (for a few seconds) until well combined and sticky.

Meatball mixture inside food processor bowl.

6. Form small meatballs (you should get 16-18 meatballs).

7. In a large pan heat up 3 tablespoons of oil and fry the meatballs over a medium/high heat for about 5 minutes turning often until lightly browned (they will finish cooking in the oven).

8. Place the meatballs in your oven dish, pour over the sauce, scatter a little parmesan cheese, approx. 2 tablespoons, (or just drizzle with oil) over the top and bake in the centre of the oven for 15 minutes. Remove from the oven and serve over pasta.

Meatballs in tomato sauce in pan with white handle.

Top tips for making meatballs in tomato sauce

Meat: use ground meat with around 7% fat. You can swap pork or beef for turkey.
Herbs: I used fresh basil but you can add oregano or thyme if you prefer.
Make ahead: You can make the sauce ahead and refrigerate overnight. Then simply reheat before combining with the meatballs and popping the dish in the oven.
To save time start making the meatballs while the sauce is bubbling away.
Frying the meatballs: Use a large frying pan so it's easy to turn the meatballs over. They need to brown a little and will finish cooking in the oven.
Best served immediately so boil the pasta while the dish is in the oven. Refrigerate leftovers for up to 3 days.
Freeze for up to 3 months.
Yields 16-18 meatballs.

Meatballs in tomato sauce over spaghetti in bowl with fork and meatballs in sauce in pan in top right corner.

If you are looking for more easy family recipes using ground turkey try this low fat turkey meatloaf with fresh herbs. Check out also this collection of easy one-pot chicken recipes.

Keep in touch

If you make this easy turkey meatballs recipe I'd love to know how it turns out for you. Let me know in the comments below, thanks:)

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