Penne with Turkey Meatballs
Transform your weeknight dinner routine with this hearty and wholesome Penne with Turkey Meatballs recipe! Featuring tender turkey meatballs made from a flavorful mix of ground turkey, Parmesan cheese, garlic, and fresh parsley, this dish is both nutritious and satisfying. Simmered in a rich tomato sauce infused with aromatic basil and oregano, the meatballs pair perfectly with al dente penne pasta. With a total cook and prep time of just one hour, this Italian-inspired comfort food is a family-friendly meal that’s quick to prepare yet packed with flavor. Garnish with fresh basil and a sprinkle of Parmesan for an elegant finishing touch. Whether you're meal-prepping for the week or hosting a cozy dinner, this recipe is sure to impress. Ideal for lovers of turkey meatballs, pasta dinners, and homemade tomato sauce!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 lb Ground turkey
- 1 large Egg
- 0.5 cup Breadcrumbs
- 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese (grated)
- 2 cloves Garlic (minced)
- 2 tbsp Fresh parsley (chopped)
- 1 tsp Salt
- 0.5 tsp Black pepper
- 2 tbsp Olive oil
- 28 oz Crushed tomatoes (canned)
- 1 medium Onion (diced)
- 1 tsp Dried basil
- 1 tsp Dried oregano
- 12 oz Penne pasta
- 4 quarts Water (for cooking pasta)
- 1 tbsp Salt (for pasta water)
- 5 leaves Fresh basil leaves (optional for garnish)
Instructions
In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground turkey, egg, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, minced garlic, parsley, 1 tsp salt, and 0.5 tsp black pepper. Mix until just combined.
Form the mixture into small meatballs, about 1.5 inches in diameter, and place them on a plate or tray.
Heat 2 tbsp of olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the meatballs in batches, cooking until browned on all sides, about 5 minutes per batch. Remove meatballs and set aside.
In the same pan, add the diced onion and cook until softened, about 3-4 minutes. Stir in the dried basil, dried oregano, and additional minced garlic, and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
Add the crushed tomatoes to the pan and bring to a simmer. Return the meatballs to the pan, cover, and simmer on low heat for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
While the sauce is simmering, bring 4 quarts of water to a boil in a large pot. Add 1 tbsp salt, then add the penne pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
Once the meatballs are fully cooked and the sauce has thickened slightly, taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.
Serve the turkey meatballs and tomato sauce over the cooked penne pasta, garnishing with fresh basil leaves if desired. Optionally, sprinkle additional Parmesan cheese on top.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
617 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 26.1 g | 34% | |
| Saturated Fat | 10.2 g | 51% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 145 mg | 48% | |
| Sodium | 2850 mg | 124% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 53.7 g | 20% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 5.8 g | 21% | |
| Total Sugars | 11.6 g | ||
| Protein | 43.6 g | 87% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.6 mcg | 3% | |
| Calcium | 415 mg | 32% | |
| Iron | 4.4 mg | 24% | |
| Potassium | 593 mg | 13% | |
*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.
