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Looking for a simple, protein-packed meal prep idea? These Easy Turkey Meatballs are juicy, flavorful, and perfect for quick lunches or busy weeknight dinners.
You can make a batch ahead of time and freeze extras for later—easy, affordable, and always delicious. For more of my favorite lunch-specific recipes, check out this YouTube playlist Easy Lunch Recipes.
This easy turkey meatball recipe is one of my favorite high-protein lunch ideas. If you’re loving easy meal prep recipes, try my 7 BEST Dump & Go Crockpot Dinners + Freezer-Ready Meal Prep Recipes
If you haven’t been making ground turkey a staple yet, this is me telling you it’s a game-changer for quick weeknight dinners. Check out my best ways to use ground turkey.
I’ll usually pair these turkey meatballs with a simple side salad like my Chickpea Antipasto Salad and it’s the easiest way to round out a full meal.
🔍 Quick Look: Easy Turkey Meatballs
- ⏰ Ready In: 35 minutes
- 🛒 Key Ingredients: Ground turkey, breadcrumbs, Parmesan
- 🍽️ Servings: 4–6
- 👩🍳 Difficulty: Easy
- 🧊 Make-Ahead Friendly: Freezer-friendly for 3 months
Watch How to Make This Recipe:
Why you’ll love this recipe…
What I love about these turkey meatballs is how versatile they are—you can enjoy them plain with a dipping sauce, serve over pasta, or even tuck into a lunchbox for easy protein. I kept the recipe simple, but you can add Italian seasoning, garlic, or even shredded zucchini for a healthy veggie boost.
And if you’re looking for even more flavor-packed recipes, check out my 15 Best Ways to Use Italian Sausage or my Easy Recipes Using Ground Turkey.
Made With Love,
Recipe Ingredients
Here are a few key ingredients that make this recipe shine (full list in the card below):
- Ground Turkey: Lean and high in protein—great for a lighter meatball.
- Breadcrumbs: Helps bind the meatballs while keeping them tender.
- Parmesan Cheese: Adds rich, savory flavor.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Mix the meatball base – In a large bowl, combine ground turkey, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, egg, and seasonings until just mixed.
👉 While you’re mixing, you might also love my Doritos Taco Salad with Catalina Dressing for another fun, family-style meal.
- Form into balls – Scoop mixture into even portions and roll into 1–1.5 inch balls.
- Bake until cooked through – Place on a parchment-lined sheet pan and bake at 400°F for 18–20 minutes, or until internal temp reaches 165°F.
- Serve and enjoy – Serve warm with pasta, over rice, or in sandwiches.
My Pro Tips
How to make this recipe perfect
Don’t OVERMIX the meat—this keeps the meatballs tender.
Double the batch and freeze for easy future meals.
Swap turkey for chicken or beef if you prefer.
Storage & Make Ahead
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Freezer: Freeze cooked meatballs for up to 3 months. Reheat straight from frozen.
- 👉 If you’re all about freezer-friendly cooking, this post with 20 Easy Freezer Meals has everything from soups to casseroles
Easy Turkey Meatballs (Lunch or Dinner Recipe)
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground turkey, 93% lean recommended for juicier meatballs
- ½ cup breadcrumbs, plain or Italian-style
- 1 large egg
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese, optional, but adds flavor
- 2 tbsp olive oil, for cooking, or use cooking spray
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine ground turkey, breadcrumbs, egg, garlic, onion powder, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and Parmesan. Mix until just combined (do not overmix).
- Roll mixture into meatballs about 1–1.5 inches in size and place on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 15–18 minutes, or until meatballs reach an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Serve warm with pasta, rice, or salad — or freeze for later!
Video
Notes
- Meal Prep: These meatballs freeze beautifully. Place cooked and cooled meatballs in a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months.
- Serving Ideas: Toss with marinara and spaghetti, add to a grain bowl, or serve with veggies for a quick meal.
- Make It Healthier: Use whole-wheat breadcrumbs or almond flour for a lower-carb version.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
