Best Baked Turkey Meatballs
Juicy, flavorful, and incredibly easy to make, these Best Baked Turkey Meatballs are a weeknight staple you’ll find yourself coming back to again and again. Made with lean ground turkey and packed with herbs, garlic, and a touch of parmesan, they strike the perfect balance between healthy and satisfying. Baking them locks in moisture and gives a tender bite without the mess of pan-frying.
Whether you’re serving them with pasta, piling them into a sub, or tossing them into your favorite soup or salad, these meatballs are versatile enough to fit into any meal. Plus, they freeze beautifully, making them ideal for meal prep or busy weeknights.
Why You’ll Love This Baked Turkey Meatballs Recipe
This recipe is all about flavor and convenience. Unlike many turkey meatballs that end up dry or bland, these are moist and deeply seasoned thanks to the combination of breadcrumbs, grated onion, fresh parsley, and parmesan. They’re baked on a sheet pan, which means no splatter and no babysitting them over the stove. You get a wholesome, delicious protein option that’s family-friendly and ready in about 30 minutes.
What Kind of Ground Turkey Should I Use?
For the juiciest results, go with ground turkey that includes both white and dark meat (typically labeled as 93/7). Using all white meat (99% lean) tends to produce drier meatballs. If that’s all you have, you can still make it work by adding a touch of olive oil or even a spoonful of Greek yogurt to help retain moisture.
Ingredients for the Best Baked Turkey Meatballs
These turkey meatballs come together with ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen. Each one plays a role in building flavor and creating the perfect texture.
- Ground turkey: The star of the show. Choose a blend with some fat for tender, juicy meatballs.
- Breadcrumbs: Help bind the meatballs and keep them soft inside.
- Grated onion: Adds moisture and a subtle sweetness that lifts the overall flavor.
- Parmesan cheese: Gives a savory depth and that irresistible umami punch.
- Garlic: Fresh garlic makes these meatballs aromatic and rich.
- Egg: Works as a binder to hold everything together.
- Fresh parsley: Adds brightness and a fresh, herby note.
- Salt and pepper: Essential for balanced seasoning.
- Italian seasoning: A shortcut to infuse the meatballs with classic herb flavor.
- Olive oil (optional): Great for extra moisture, especially if you’re using lean turkey.

How To Make the Best Baked Turkey Meatballs
Step 1: Preheat and Prep
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it to prevent sticking.
Step 2: Mix the Ingredients
In a large bowl, combine ground turkey, breadcrumbs, grated onion, parmesan, garlic, egg, parsley, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Use clean hands or a fork to mix everything until just combined. Don’t overmix—that can make the meatballs tough.
Step 3: Shape the Meatballs
Scoop about 1 to 1.5 tablespoons of the mixture and roll into balls. Place them evenly spaced on your prepared baking sheet.
Step 4: Bake to Perfection
Bake in the preheated oven for 18 to 20 minutes, or until the meatballs are golden and cooked through (internal temp should be 165°F).
Step 5: Serve and Enjoy
Let them cool for a couple minutes, then serve with your favorite sauce, pasta, or over a salad for a lighter option.
How to Serve and Store These Turkey Meatballs
These meatballs are incredibly versatile and can be dressed up or down depending on what you’re craving. Serve them simmered in marinara over spaghetti, tucked into a warm pita with tzatziki, or skewered with veggies for a protein-packed snack.
They store well in the fridge for up to 4 days and can be frozen for up to 3 months. To reheat, just microwave or warm them in the oven or a skillet with a bit of broth or sauce to keep them moist. This recipe makes about 20 meatballs, enough to feed 4 to 5 people depending on how you serve them.
What to Serve With Baked Turkey Meatballs?
Spaghetti or Zucchini Noodles
Classic pasta or low-carb veggie noodles make a perfect pairing with marinara and turkey meatballs.
Creamy Mashed Potatoes
For a cozy comfort food twist, serve meatballs over creamy mashed potatoes with gravy.
Garlic Bread
Crispy, buttery garlic bread rounds out the meal perfectly.
Roasted Vegetables
Try them with a medley of roasted bell peppers, carrots, and broccoli for a balanced plate.
Couscous or Rice Pilaf
Fluffy grains soak up all the saucy goodness from the meatballs.
Greek Salad
For a Mediterranean twist, pair with a crisp cucumber, tomato, and feta salad.
Sub Sandwiches
Tuck a few meatballs into a toasted hoagie roll, top with mozzarella, and broil until melty.
Want More Dinner Ideas with a Healthy Twist?
If you love these baked turkey meatballs, check out these other hearty and wholesome dinner favorites:
- Easy Chicken Fried Rice when you want something fast and flavorful.
- Low-Carb Chicken Casserole for a satisfying weeknight bake.
- Skirt Steak Rice Bowls with Chimichurri when you’re craving bold flavor.
- Creamy Kielbasa Gnocchi Soup for cozy comfort.
- Ground Beef Zucchini Sweet Potato Skillet for a nutrient-packed skillet meal.
Save This Recipe For Later
📌 Save this recipe to your Pinterest dinner board so you can come back to it any time.
And let me know in the comments how yours turned out. Did you go for marinara or make it into a meatball sandwich? Any fresh herbs you added that gave it a unique spin?
I love hearing how others make these recipes their own. Questions are welcome too—let’s help each other cook smarter.
Explore beautifully curated health-boosting dinner recipes on Luna Meals on Pinterest and discover your new go-to for feeling great!
Conclusion
These Best Baked Turkey Meatballs are everything you want in a weeknight dinner: easy, nourishing, and delicious. They’re the kind of recipe you’ll memorize after making it a few times because it’s just that good. Keep a stash in the freezer, and you’ll always have a homemade option ready to go when hunger strikes.

Best Baked Turkey Meatballs
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 20 meatballs
Description
Best Baked Turkey Meatballs are juicy, flavorful, and easy to make with lean ground turkey, parmesan, and Italian herbs. A healthy turkey meatball recipe perfect for weeknight dinners, meal prep, or freezer-friendly make-ahead meals.
Ingredients
1 lb ground turkey
1/3 cup breadcrumbs
1/4 cup grated onion
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 large egg
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1 tablespoon olive oil (optional)
Instructions
1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
2. In a large bowl, combine ground turkey, breadcrumbs, onion, parmesan, garlic, egg, parsley, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Add olive oil if using.
3. Mix gently until just combined, being careful not to overmix.
4. Scoop 1 to 1.5 tablespoons of the mixture and roll into balls.
5. Place meatballs on the prepared baking sheet, spaced slightly apart.
6. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes, or until cooked through and golden brown. Internal temp should reach 165°F.
7. Let cool for a few minutes, then serve with pasta, salad, or sauce of choice.
Notes
These meatballs freeze beautifully — just cool completely before storing in an airtight container.
Avoid overmixing the mixture to keep meatballs tender.
If using 99% lean turkey, don’t skip the olive oil for extra moisture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4 meatballs
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 430mg
- Fat: 11g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 6g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 85mg


