Go Back
Oven baked turkey zucchini meatballs on a serving plate with herbs

Baked Turkey Zucchini Meatballs

A delightful and wholesome dish that combines lean ground turkey and fresh zucchini into bite-sized treats, perfect for weeknight dinners.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Healthy
Calories: 250
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Meatball Mixture
  • 2 pounds ground turkey meat Can be substituted with ground beef.
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil Adds subtle richness and moisture.
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced For aromatic flavor.
  • 2 large eggs Helps bind the mixture.
  • 3 1/2 teaspoons Italian seasoning Fragrant blend of herbs.
  • 1 1/4 teaspoons salt Adjust to taste.
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground Adjust to taste.
  • 2 cups zucchini, finely grated and well-drained Adds moisture and nutrition.
  • 1 small red onion, grated Adds sweetness and depth.
Marinara Sauce
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil For sautéing.
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced Enhances the sauce's flavor.
  • 1 can crushed tomatoes (28 ounces) Base for the sauce.
  • 1 teaspoon salt To season the sauce.
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper Adjust to taste.
  • 1/2 teaspoon sugar Balances acidity.
  • 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning For consistent flavor.
  • 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes Adds a hint of heat.

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Prepare a large baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground turkey, olive oil, minced garlic, eggs, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, grated zucchini, and grated onion. Mix with your hands until well combined; the mixture should be moist but hold its shape.
  3. Scoop out portions of the mixture, roughly two tablespoons in size. Roll them into firm balls and place them on the prepared baking sheet.
Baking
  1. Bake the meatballs in the oven for 20-25 minutes until evenly browned and fully cooked through.
Sauce Preparation
  1. While the meatballs are baking, warm 3 tablespoons of olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for about one minute until fragrant.
  2. Pour in the crushed tomatoes and add salt, black pepper, sugar, Italian seasoning, and crushed red pepper flakes. Stir to combine and simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Combining & Serving
  1. Once the meatballs are done baking, add them to the marinara sauce and stir to coat. Serve hot.

Notes

Ensure the grated zucchini is well-drained to avoid excess moisture. Experiment with different herbs or spices in the meat mixture. Adding Parmesan cheese before baking can introduce a delightful crust.