Description
Juicy, herbaceous Greek turkey meatballs simmered in a tangy marinara sauce. This easy one-pan recipe is ready in under 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights and meal prep.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 pounds ground turkey (mix of dark and white meat recommended)
- ½ cup panko breadcrumbs
- ¼ cup crumbled feta cheese
- 1 large egg
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ cup red onion, finely diced
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 cup marinara sauce
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add diced red onion and a pinch of salt; sauté for 3-4 minutes until soft. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Remove mixture from pan and set aside.
- In a mixing bowl, combine ground turkey, panko breadcrumbs, feta cheese, egg, the sautéed onion-garlic mixture, dried oregano, and black pepper. Mix gently with hands until just combined.
- Form the mixture into 16-18 meatballs, each roughly 1.5 inches in diameter.
- In the same skillet, pour in marinara sauce and stir in lemon juice. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium-low heat.
- Gently place meatballs into the simmering sauce. Cover with a lid and simmer for 15-20 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Remove lid. If sauce is too thin, simmer uncovered for 2-3 minutes to reduce. Turn off heat and sprinkle with fresh parsley. Serve immediately.
Notes
Do not overmix the meat to avoid tough meatballs. Sautéing the onions beforehand prevents soggy meatballs. For a gluten-free version, substitute panko with gluten-free breadcrumbs or almond flour. For dairy-free, omit feta or use a vegan alternative.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Greek
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4 meatballs with sau
- Calories: 275
- Sugar: 4
- Sodium: 580
- Fat: 14
- Saturated Fat: 4
- Carbohydrates: 12
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 22
Keywords: Greek turkey meatballs, one pan recipe, healthy dinner, meal prep, easy weeknight dinner, Mediterranean food, lean protein