Mini Turkey Meatballs with Gnocchi and Tomato Sauce
Discover the ultimate comfort food with this recipe for Mini Turkey Meatballs with Gnocchi and Tomato Sauce—a hearty, flavor-packed dish that’s perfect for busy weeknights yet elegant enough for entertaining. Tender, bite-sized turkey meatballs seasoned with Parmesan, garlic, and fresh parsley are browned to perfection before being simmered in a rich, herb-infused tomato sauce. Paired with golden, pan-seared gnocchi, this one-pan wonder is as satisfying as it is simple to prepare, requiring just 20 minutes of prep time. Garnished with fragrant basil, this protein-packed dinner offers a wholesome twist on classic Italian flavors. Plus, it’s easy to customize with a sprinkle of red pepper flakes or extra Parmesan for added flair. Ideal for four servings, this dish delivers cozy vibes in every bite!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 lb Ground turkey
- 0.5 cup Breadcrumbs
- 0.25 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 large Egg
- 2 Garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tbsp Fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tsp Salt
- 0.5 tsp Black pepper
- 2 tbsp Olive oil
- 16 oz Gnocchi
- 2 cups Tomato sauce
- 0.5 cup Chicken broth
- 1 tsp Dried Italian seasoning
- 0.25 tsp Crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 2 tbsp Fresh basil leaves, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
In a large mixing bowl, combine ground turkey, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, egg, minced garlic, parsley, salt, and black pepper. Mix until everything is well incorporated, but do not overmix to avoid dense meatballs.
Using your hands or a small cookie scoop, shape the mixture into mini meatballs, roughly 1 inch in diameter. Set them aside on a plate.
Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the meatballs in a single layer and cook for 6-8 minutes, turning occasionally, until browned on all sides and cooked through. Remove the meatballs from the skillet and set aside.
In the same skillet, add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil if needed, and sauté the gnocchi for 2-3 minutes until lightly golden. Remove the gnocchi and set aside.
Pour the tomato sauce and chicken broth into the skillet. Stir in Italian seasoning and crushed red pepper flakes (if using). Allow the sauce to simmer over medium-low heat for 5 minutes to let the flavors meld.
Gently return the meatballs to the skillet, followed by the gnocchi. Stir to coat everything in the sauce, and cook for an additional 5 minutes to heat through.
Remove the skillet from heat and sprinkle chopped basil over the dish for a fresh finish.
Serve warm and enjoy, optionally with extra grated Parmesan on top.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
2086 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 114.0 g | 146% | |
| Saturated Fat | 37.6 g | 188% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 5.8 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 643 mg | 214% | |
| Sodium | 6147 mg | 267% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 140.8 g | 51% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 12.0 g | 43% | |
| Total Sugars | 18.8 g | ||
| Protein | 125.3 g | 251% | |
| Vitamin D | 2.2 mcg | 11% | |
| Calcium | 478 mg | 37% | |
| Iron | 14.2 mg | 79% | |
| Potassium | 943 mg | 20% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
