Quick & Savory Pesto Turkey Meatballs Recipe For Dinner Joy

Tender and bursting with flavor, these mouthwatering pesto baked turkey meatballs infuse classic comfort food with an Italian-inspired twist.

Packed with herbs and zesty seasonings, each bite delivers a delightful burst of savory goodness.

The lean ground turkey ensures a healthier protein option without sacrificing taste.

Fragrant basil pesto weaves its magic through the meat, creating a rich and aromatic dish that stands out from traditional meatball recipes.

Perfectly seasoned and baked to golden perfection, these meatballs make an irresistible main course or appetizer.

Serve them over pasta, nestle them in a crusty sub, or enjoy them straight from the plate for a satisfying meal that’ll have everyone asking for seconds.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Calories: 350 kcal

Servings: 5

Pesto Baked Turkey Meatballs Ingredient List

• Ground Turkey: Lean protein powerhouse that creates tender, juicy meatballs with a clean, light flavor profile.
• Egg: Natural binding agent that helps ingredients stick together and ensures a smooth, cohesive texture.

• Salt: Essential mineral that amplifies the overall taste and brings out the turkey's natural savory notes.
• Black Pepper: Adds a subtle warmth and gentle kick to elevate the meatball's depth.
• Garlic Powder: Infuses a robust, aromatic essence without the hassle of chopping fresh garlic.
• Dried Basil: Introduces a classic Mediterranean herbaceous touch that complements the pesto beautifully.

• Pesto: Vibrant green sauce that injects rich herbal moisture and introduces a bright, authentic Italian character.
• Mozzarella Cheese: Creamy, mild cheese that melts into a luxurious blanket, creating irresistible golden-brown goodness.

Kitchen Equipment for Pesto Turkey Meatballs

• Large Bowl: Essential for mixing ground turkey and seasonings thoroughly.
• Measuring Cups/Spoons: Precise tools for accurately portioning ingredients.
• 10×10 Square Baking Dish: Perfect vessel for creating and baking meatballs with pesto.
• Baking Spatula or Spoon: Helps spread pesto evenly on dish bottom and top of meatballs.
• Meat Scoop or Tablespoon: Ensures consistent meatball size (about 2 tablespoons each).
• Oven Mitts: Protects hands when handling hot baking dish.
• Cheese Grater (optional): If using fresh mozzarella that needs grating.

Cooking Instructions for Baked Pesto Meatballs

• Culinary Preparation

Gather fresh ground turkey, aromatic herbs, creamy pesto, and melty cheese for a mouthwatering meal that’ll make taste buds dance.

• Mixing Magic

Combine turkey with seasonings in a spacious bowl, blending ingredients with loving hands until perfectly harmonized.

• Pesto Foundation

Spread a generous layer of vibrant green pesto across the baking dish, creating a flavor-packed base that’ll infuse every morsel.

• Meatball Crafting

Shape tender turkey mixture into delightful round bites, each one promising a burst of herbal goodness.

• Pesto Shower

Lavish the meatballs with remaining pesto, ensuring each sphere is gloriously coated in green deliciousness.

• Oven Adventure

Slide the dish into a preheated 400°F oven, letting the magic of cooking transform simple ingredients into a spectacular meal.

• Cheesy Finale

Sprinkle clouds of mozzarella over the golden-brown meatballs, returning to the oven for a final melty moment of culinary bliss.

• Serving Celebration

Let the dish rest briefly, allowing flavors to mingle and create a symphony of taste ready to delight hungry diners.

Variations to Try for Pesto Turkey Meatballs

• Pesto Power Boosts: Mix different herb pestos like sun-dried tomato or roasted red pepper for exciting flavor twists.
• Protein Swap Tricks: Replace ground turkey with chicken, lean beef, or plant-based alternatives for versatile meatball options that match dietary preferences.
• Meal Prep Magic: These meatballs freeze beautifully for up to 3 months. Store in airtight containers and reheat directly from frozen for quick weeknight dinners.
• Serving Style Hacks: Serve over zucchini noodles, whole wheat pasta, or crisp salad greens to create a complete meal with minimal extra effort. Sprinkle fresh basil or pine nuts on top for an elegant restaurant-style presentation.
• Cheese Lover's Upgrade: Experiment with different cheese toppings like parmesan, fontina, or goat cheese to add personal flair and unexpected richness to the meatballs.

How to Serve Turkey Meatballs with Pesto

• Pasta Paradise: Serve these pesto meatballs over al dente spaghetti or linguine for a classic Italian-inspired meal that will transport your taste buds straight to a cozy trattoria.
• Salad Companion: Pair the meatballs with a crisp mixed green salad topped with cherry tomatoes and a light vinaigrette to balance the rich, herbaceous flavors of the pesto.
• Sandwich Sensation: Slice the meatballs and tuck them into a crusty ciabatta roll with extra pesto and fresh arugula for a gourmet lunch that packs a flavor punch.
• Mediterranean Platter: Create a stunning appetizer spread by arranging the meatballs on a wooden board with olives, feta cheese, sliced cucumbers, and warm pita bread for a delightful sharing experience.

Reheating and Storing Baked Meatballs

• Quick Refrigeration Strategy: Store leftover meatballs in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping them fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator. Separate layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
• Freezer-Friendly Method: Package cooled meatballs in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty zip-lock bags. These protein-packed bites can remain frozen for up to 2 months without losing their delicious pesto flavor.
• Reheating Hack: Warm refrigerated meatballs in a 350°F oven for 10-15 minutes, covering with foil to retain moisture. Microwave works in a pinch, but oven heating maintains better texture and taste.
• Meal Prep Magic: Prepare a double batch during weekend cooking sessions. Portion meatballs into individual containers for quick weekday lunches or dinners, saving time and ensuring delicious meals are always ready.

Succulent Pesto Baked Turkey Meatballs Recipe

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4.6 from 16 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Homemade pesto baked turkey meatballs deliver a Mediterranean-inspired comfort meal with irresistible herbal notes. Italian herbs and lean protein combine perfectly when you serve these alongside pasta or crusty bread.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1.5 lbs (680 g) ground turkey
• 1 large egg
• ⅔ cup (160 ml) mozzarella cheese
• 1 cup (240 ml) pesto
• 1 tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp dried basil

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Instructions

1. Preheat Preparation: Set the oven to 400°F, establishing an optimal thermal environment for culinary transformation.
2. Meatball Composition: In a comprehensive mixing vessel, amalgamate ground turkey with egg, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and dried basil, meticulously kneading until ingredients merge into a harmonious blend.
3. Foundational Layer: Spread a gossamer film of pesto across the baking dish’s base, creating a fragrant non-stick barrier that will enhance the meatballs’ aromatic profile.
4. Spherical Formation: Sculpt uniform meatballs by portioning the meat mixture into consistent globes, ensuring symmetrical size and balanced cooking potential.
5. Strategic Placement and Coating: Arrange meatballs within the pesto-lined dish, then lavishly drench with additional pesto, guaranteeing complete flavor saturation and moisture retention.
6. Thermal Transformation: Slide the dish into the preheated oven, allowing the meatballs to roast for approximately 25 minutes, enabling the turkey to cook thoroughly while absorbing herbal nuances.
7. Cheese Culmination: Crown the nearly completed meatballs with a generous mantle of mozzarella, returning to the oven for a final 5-minute interval to create a molten, golden-brown cheese canopy.
8. Resting and Serving: Extract the dish, permitting a brief interlude for flavor melding and temperature stabilization before presenting this aromatic culinary creation.

Notes

• Prep Precision: Use fresh ground turkey with at least 93% lean meat for optimal moisture and texture in meatballs.
• Temperature Control: Maintain consistent 400°F oven temperature to ensure even cooking and prevent drying out the meat.
• Mixing Mastery: Gently mix ingredients with fingertips, avoiding overworking the meat to keep meatballs tender and light.
• Cheese Melt Magic: Select low-moisture mozzarella for perfect golden browning and prevent excess liquid during final cheese topping stage.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 6 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 32 g
• Cholesterol: 100 mg