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Quick Turkey Zucchini Meatballs Recipe Easy Homemade Marinara Sauce

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A quick and easy recipe for tender turkey meatballs with zucchini, simmered in a flavorful homemade marinara sauce. Perfect for busy weeknights and family meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound ground turkey
  • 1 medium zucchini, grated and squeezed dry
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • ½ cup Italian breadcrumbs (or almond flour/gluten-free breadcrumbs for gluten-free)
  • ¼ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil (for browning meatballs)
  • For the marinara sauce:
  • 28 oz canned crushed tomatoes
  • 1 small onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil (for sautéing)

Instructions

  1. Grate 1 medium zucchini using a box grater. Place the shredded zucchini in a clean kitchen towel or cheesecloth and squeeze out as much moisture as possible (about 5 minutes).
  2. In a large bowl, combine ground turkey, grated zucchini, 2 minced garlic cloves, 1 small finely chopped onion, Italian breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan, beaten egg, chopped fresh parsley, salt, and pepper. Mix gently until just combined (5-7 minutes).
  3. Shape the mixture into 1 ½-inch balls, about the size of a golf ball, yielding around 16 meatballs (5 minutes).
  4. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add meatballs in batches without crowding the pan. Cook 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown all over. Transfer browned meatballs to a plate (10-12 minutes).
  5. In the same skillet, add 1 tablespoon olive oil if needed. Sauté 1 small diced onion until translucent, about 3-4 minutes. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and cook 1 more minute until fragrant.
  6. Pour in canned crushed tomatoes. Stir in dried oregano, dried basil, and red pepper flakes if using. Season with salt and pepper. Bring to a simmer (10 minutes).
  7. Nestle browned meatballs into the simmering marinara. Cover and cook for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally (15 minutes).
  8. Taste sauce and adjust seasoning if needed. Sprinkle with additional fresh parsley or Parmesan if desired. Serve hot over pasta, zucchini noodles, or crusty bread (2 minutes).

Notes

Squeeze zucchini dry to avoid soggy meatballs. Do not overmix meat mixture to keep meatballs tender. Brown meatballs before simmering to lock in flavor and texture. Simmer sauce gently to prevent meatballs from breaking apart. Chilling meatball mixture for 15 minutes before shaping can help them hold together better. Baking option: bake meatballs at 400°F (200°C) for 15-18 minutes before adding to sauce. Air-fry option: 375°F (190°C) for 12 minutes, turning halfway.

Nutrition

Keywords: turkey meatballs, zucchini meatballs, homemade marinara, quick dinner, healthy meatballs, easy weeknight meal, low-carb, gluten-free option

Find it online: https://norasfoods.com/quick-turkey-zucchini-meatballs-recipe-easy-homemade-marinara-sauce/