Meatballs have always held a certain allure for me. It’s probably all due to that childhood song, “On Top of Spaghetti.” I remember singing rousing versions of that song in Kindergarten but having no idea what the song was about. As wondrous as a meatball tree was, what the heck was a meatball?
It wasn’t until I watched Lady and the Tramp that I figured out what meatballs were. We didn’t grow up eating spaghetti and meatballs. Dinner around my mom’s table was fried rice or noodles with roast pork rather than pasta. Of course, like everything that I didn’t have a chance to overdose on, I was intensely curious.
When I finally tasted meatballs I loved them: tender, ball shaped meat – what could be better? Since then, I’ve made countless meatballs, usually pork, chicken, beef or a combination.
These were my first turkey meatballs. The original recipe called for chicken, but I substituted turkey just because I was feeling a little turkey deprived with my not being in Canada for Canadian Thanksgiving. I usually pan-fry meatballs, but was pleasantly surprised by baking – it was fast and I didn’t miss the crust you get from pan-frying. They were extra delicious and I am excited about the bake-ability of meatballs. I think a new era of baked meatballs is about to be ushered in!
Turkey Parmesan Meatball Recipe adapted from Dinner a Love Story
serves 4
- 1 1/4 pounds ground turkey
- 1/2 cup panko
- 2 tablespoons chopped onion
- 1 tablespoon chopped parsley
- 1/2 cup parmesan
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon fennel seeds, crushed
- 1 egg
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1 14-ounce can crushed tomatoes
- 1 tablespoon oil
- sliced fresh mozzarella to top
Preheat the oven to 400°F. In a large bowl, mix together the turkey, panko, onion, parsley, parmesan, garlic, fennel seeds, egg, salt and pepper. Shape into meatballs and space out on a foil-lined baking sheet.
In a small bowl, mix together 2 tablespoons of the crushed tomatoes with the oil. Brush on top of the meat balls and then bake for 15 minutes.
Remove the meatballs from the oven, spoon some tomatoes on each meatball and then cover with a slice of cheese. Turn the oven to broil and broil for 3-5 minutes until cheese is bubbly and golden. Enjoy hot.
17 Comments
Todd @ HonestlyYUM says:
October 18, 2013 at 11:27 am
OMG I haven’t thought of that song in FOREVER! These look so delicious and so well-made. I could eat a whole plate full.
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Jessica says:
October 18, 2013 at 12:24 pm
This looks amazing! Your pictures are incredible! Definitely going to make this
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Ruthy @ Omeletta says:
October 18, 2013 at 3:32 pm
That melty mozzarella on top is my favorite part! And I agree on baking meatballs being the best way- I saw the light on that a few years ago and totally do not miss the grease splatters.
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Jo says:
October 19, 2013 at 11:34 am
You know how much I LOVE your blog and I’d totally make this for my kids.
xo Jo
http://www.whiterosesandcoffee.com/
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October 19, 2013 at 11:38 am
This is the best meatball recipe I’ve seen in a while. We eat a lot of ground meat because it’s cheap and easy for the baby to chew, so I’m always on the lookout for new ways to use it. Definitely making these.
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Cheryl Hurley says:
October 19, 2013 at 2:00 pm
I HATE making meatballs because of all the “frying in batches”. Ugh. This is a killer way around that. We adore this FoodNetwork recipe but don’t make it often enough because of my pet peeve: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/melissa-darabian/north-african-meatballs-recipe/index.html So delish, ugh.
Cheryl
http://thestylistquo.comReply
Katina says:
October 19, 2013 at 2:38 pm
I’ve been reading your blog for about a month now, and I just wanted to tell you that your recipes and photos are a huge inspiration to me. All your food looks so tasty and also helps me to see how I can improve my photography. It just so happens that I bought panko on sale at Save-On today so might have to give the meatballs a try soon!
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Denise says:
October 19, 2013 at 2:57 pm
My friend just told me about your blog and “Cooking With Mr. C.” on Facebook. I’m excited to look through your blog. Denise
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October 19, 2013 at 7:54 pm
These pictures though. Oh my Lord.
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Millie says:
October 20, 2013 at 10:39 am
I am totally IN LOVE with the photography!!!! And the recipe looks absoloutely friggin delicious!!
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October 22, 2013 at 9:53 pm
Love these pictures!!! Just discovered your blog and can’t wait to stick around. You had me at meatballs ;)
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October 28, 2013 at 12:05 pm
My husband came home early (really early) from work last night with an achey back. I was thrilled that my usual cereal-and-Gossip-Girl-reruns Sunday evening turned into cooking for us like the old days, before he worked nights. I made these for us with spaghetti, but we didn’t put the final mozz on top. I also subsituted cilantro for parsley and cotija for the Parm because that’s what I had, and man these were so good! I’m so pleased I had just read this recipe so I could make it happen last-minute. I will totally make these beauties again and again. xo!
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Annabelle says:
June 23, 2014 at 6:21 pm
Made these over the weekend and they were fantastic!!! Am definitely a new addict to your blog.. Thanks so much for sharing!
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