CREAMY PARMESAN TURKEY MEATBALLS

Are you tired of the same old weeknight dinners? Do you crave something comforting, delicious, and surprisingly easy to make? Well, get ready to fall in love! We’re about to dive into a recipe for Creamy Parmesan Turkey Meatballs- Easy Dinner that will become a family favorite. Get ready for tender, flavorful meatballs swimming in a decadent creamy sauce, all ready in under an hour!

Gathering Your Culinary Arsenal: Ingredients

Before we embark on this delicious journey, let’s make sure we have all the necessary ingredients. Don’t worry, it’s all pretty straightforward!

For the Turkey Meatballs:

• 1 lb Ground Turkey: Lean but still flavorful.
• 1/2 cup Bread Crumbs: I prefer Panko for extra crispness, but regular works too!
• 1/4 cup Grated Parmesan Cheese: Freshly grated is best, trust me!
• 1 Egg: To bind everything together.
• 1/4 cup Milk: Adds moisture and tenderness.
• 2 cloves Garlic: Minced – because garlic makes everything better!
• 1 teaspoon Italian Seasoning: A shortcut to delicious flavor.
• 1/2 teaspoon Salt: Adjust to your taste.
• 1/4 teaspoon Black Pepper: Freshly ground, if possible.
• 1 tablespoon Olive Oil: For browning the meatballs.

For the Creamy Parmesan Sauce:

• 2 tablespoons Butter: For richness and flavor.
• 2 cloves Garlic: Minced (yes, more garlic!).
• 1 cup Chicken Broth: Low sodium is always a good choice.
• 1 cup Heavy Cream: The key to that creamy goodness!
• 1/2 cup Grated Parmesan Cheese: Again, freshly grated is best.
• 1/4 teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes: Optional, for a little kick!
• Salt and Pepper: To taste.
• 2 tablespoons Fresh Parsley: Chopped, for garnish.

Step-by-Step to Meatball Perfection

Alright, let’s get cooking! Don’t be intimidated; this recipe is simpler than you think. I’ll walk you through every step.

Crafting the Flavorful Meatballs:

1. In a large bowl, gently combine the ground turkey, bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese, egg, milk, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Be careful not to overmix; this can make the meatballs tough.
2. Using your hands or a cookie scoop, form the mixture into approximately 1-inch meatballs.
3. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
4. Carefully add the meatballs to the skillet, making sure not to overcrowd the pan. You may need to work in batches.
5. Cook the meatballs for about 8-10 minutes, turning occasionally, until they are browned on all sides and cooked through. A meat thermometer should read 165°F (74°C). Remove the meatballs from the skillet and set aside. Don’t worry if they aren’t *completely* cooked through; they’ll finish cooking in the sauce.

Creating the Dreamy Creamy Parmesan Sauce:

1. In the same skillet (don’t wash it – all those browned bits are flavor gold!), melt the butter over medium heat.
2. Add the minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute, until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic!
3. Pour in the chicken broth and bring to a simmer, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet. This is where the magic happens!
4. Stir in the heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, and red pepper flakes (if using).
5. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for about 5-7 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened slightly. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
6. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Bringing it All Together:

1. Gently add the cooked meatballs to the creamy Parmesan sauce.
2. Simmer for another 5-10 minutes, allowing the meatballs to finish cooking in the sauce and absorb all that delicious flavor.
3. Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.

Serving Suggestions: Because Presentation Matters!

Now that you’ve created these amazing Creamy Parmesan Turkey Meatballs, let’s talk about serving suggestions! This dish is incredibly versatile.

• Over Pasta: Serve the meatballs and sauce over your favorite pasta – spaghetti, fettuccine, or penne all work beautifully.
• With Rice: A bed of fluffy rice is another excellent option.
• As an Appetizer: Serve the meatballs on their own as a delicious appetizer.
• In a Sandwich: Meatball subs? Yes, please!
• With Zoodles (Zucchini Noodles): For a low-carb option, serve over zucchini noodles.

Troubleshooting Tips: My Secrets to Success

Even with an easy recipe, sometimes things don’t go exactly as planned. Here are a few tips to help you avoid common pitfalls:

• Meatballs Too Dry? Add a little more milk to the meatball mixture.
• Sauce Too Thin? Simmer for a longer time, or add a slurry of cornstarch and water (1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons cold water) to the sauce while simmering.
• Sauce Too Thick? Add a little more chicken broth or cream.
• Meatballs Sticking to the Pan? Make sure your skillet is properly heated before adding the meatballs, and don’t overcrowd the pan.

Variations and Substitutions: Make it Your Own!

The beauty of cooking is that you can always adapt recipes to your liking! Here are some ideas for variations and substitutions:

• Cheese: Experiment with different cheeses in the sauce, such as Asiago or Fontina.
• Herbs: Add other herbs to the sauce, such as basil or oregano.
• Vegetables: Sauté some chopped onions, bell peppers, or mushrooms and add them to the sauce.
• Spices: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper for extra heat.
• Turkey Alternatives: While this recipe highlights turkey, you can also use ground chicken or even a blend of ground beef and pork for a richer flavor.

Meatball Meal Planning: Make Ahead Magic

This Creamy Parmesan Turkey Meatballs- Easy Dinner recipe is a champion for meal prepping! You can easily make the meatballs ahead of time and store them in the refrigerator for up to 2 days, or freeze them for longer storage. The sauce can also be made in advance and stored in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to eat, simply reheat the sauce and add the meatballs.

Meatball Recipe Inspirations: Branching Out Your Culinary Horizons

Meatballs are so versatile. If you love a good meatball dinner as much as I do, be sure to check out my other favorite meatball recipes! For a sweet and savory kick, try PEACHY CROCKPOT MEATBALL PERFECTION. Or, for something a little different, the RICOTTA MEATBALLS are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Looking for a hearty soup? Don’t miss the SAUSAGE PARMESAN SOUP. If you’re craving comfort food, SALISBURY STEAK MEATBALL MAGIC will hit the spot. And for another take on ricotta, you’ll love RICOTTA MEATBALLS. Lastly, don’t forget to try Sweet Chili Meatballs Crockpot for an effortless weeknight win!

Storing Leftovers: Saving the Deliciousness for Later

If you happen to have any leftovers (which is unlikely!), store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave.

Final Thoughts: Enjoy Your Culinary Masterpiece!

There you have it! Creamy Parmesan Turkey Meatballs- Easy Dinner is a simple, delicious, and satisfying meal that’s perfect for any night of the week. I hope you enjoy making and eating this recipe as much as I do! Now go forth and create some kitchen magic!

Creamy Parmesan Turkey Meatballs

Amelia Chen-Morrison

These Creamy Parmesan Turkey Meatballs are a quick and easy weeknight meal that the whole family will love. Tender turkey meatballs are simmered in a rich and decadent creamy parmesan sauce, perfect served over pasta, rice, or as an appetizer.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 35 minutes mins

Total Time 50 minutes mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Servings 4

Calories 550 kcal

Equipment

• Large bowl
• Measuring cups and spoons
• cookie scoop or spoon
• Large skillet
• Meat thermometer
• Whisk
• Wooden spoon or spatula
• Cutting board
• Knife

Ingredients

  

• 1 lb ground turkey
• ½ cup bread crumbs Panko or regular
• ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 large egg
• ¼ cup milk
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1 cup heavy cream
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes optional
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions

 

• In a large bowl, gently combine the ground turkey, bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese, egg, milk, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Be careful not to overmix.
• Using your hands or a cookie scoop, form the mixture into approximately 1-inch meatballs.
• Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
• Carefully add the meatballs to the skillet, making sure not to overcrowd the pan. You may need to work in batches.
• Cook the meatballs for about 8-10 minutes, turning occasionally, until they are browned on all sides and cooked through. A meat thermometer should read 165°F (74°C). Remove the meatballs from the skillet and set aside.
• In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat.
• Add the minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute, until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic!
• Pour in the chicken broth and bring to a simmer, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet.
• Stir in the heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, and red pepper flakes (if using).
• Reduce the heat to low and simmer for about 5-7 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened slightly. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
• Season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Gently add the cooked meatballs to the creamy Parmesan sauce.
• Simmer for another 5-10 minutes, allowing the meatballs to finish cooking in the sauce and absorb all that delicious flavor.
• Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.

Notes

For a richer sauce, use whole milk instead of heavy cream. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave. If the meatballs are too dry, add a little more milk to the mixture. If the sauce is too thin, simmer for a longer time or add a cornstarch slurry (1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons cold water) to the sauce while simmering. If the sauce is too thick, add more chicken broth or cream. These meatballs freeze well, store in a freezer safe container for up to 3 months.