Barefoot Contessa’s Turkey Meatballs Recipe: A Cozy Family Favorite

Tender and juicy Barefoot Contessa turkey meatballs dance with flavor, promising a delightful meal that breaks away from ordinary ground meat preparations.

Ina Garten’s culinary magic shines through in this effortless recipe.

Packed with herbs and seasonings, these meatballs bring comfort to your dinner table.

Each bite offers a delectable blend of lean protein and rich, aromatic spices.

The recipe balances simplicity with gourmet taste, making weeknight cooking feel special.

You’ll love how quickly these meatballs come together with minimal effort.

Serve them over pasta, in a sandwich, or alongside a crisp salad for a satisfying meal that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Make-Ahead and Storage for Turkey Meatballs

• Store Smartly: Transfer leftover meatballs and sauce to an airtight container, ensuring they cool completely before refrigerating to maintain optimal flavor and texture.
• Refrigerate Right: Keep meatball dishes sealed in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days, allowing quick and easy reheating for future meals.
• Freeze for Later: Pack meatballs without pasta in freezer-safe containers, which can last up to 2 months, providing convenient meal options for busy weeks.
• Reheat Gently: Warm refrigerated or thawed meatballs in a covered skillet with additional marinara sauce over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent drying out and maintain juiciness.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 45 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour

Calories: 450 kcal

Servings: 6

Ingredients in Turkey Meatballs

• Bread Cubes: Provides soft texture and helps bind ingredients together, choose day-old crusty bread for best results.
• Whole Milk: Softens bread crumbs and adds moisture, use fresh milk for optimal consistency.

• Ground Turkey: Lean protein base with mild flavor, select fresh ground turkey with moderate fat content.
• Italian Sausage: Adds rich flavor complexity, choose mild or spicy version based on preference.
• Prosciutto: Introduces savory depth, select thinly sliced high-quality Italian prosciutto.

• Asiago Cheese: Provides sharp tangy notes, opt for freshly grated aged variety.
• Fresh Parsley: Adds bright herbaceous flavor, choose vibrant green leaves without wilting.
• Dried Oregano: Delivers Mediterranean herb essence, ensure fragrant and recently purchased.
• Red Pepper Flakes: Introduces subtle heat, select high-quality crushed chili flakes.
• Salt and Black Pepper: Fundamental seasoning agents, use freshly ground black pepper.
• Olive Oil: Adds richness and helps prevent sticking, choose extra virgin for best flavor.
• Large Eggs: Binds ingredients together, select fresh room temperature eggs.

• Marinara Sauce: Creates delicious coating, select high-quality prepared or homemade sauce.
• Spaghetti: Classic pasta foundation, choose premium durum wheat pasta.
• Parmesan or Asiago Cheese: Provides finishing garnish, use freshly grated for maximum flavor.

Tools Required for Turkey Meatball Prep

• Food Processor: Essential for creating even bread crumbs quickly.
• Large Mixing Bowl: Perfect for combining meatball ingredients thoroughly.
• Sheet Pans (2): Lined with parchment paper for easy baking and clean meatball preparation.
• Parchment Paper: Prevents sticking and makes cleanup simple.
• Large Low Pot: Ideal for simmering meatballs in marinara sauce.
• Large Pot: Needed for boiling spaghetti.
• Fork: Used for gently mixing meatball ingredients without overworking the meat.
• Measuring Spoons: Helps accurately measure salt and seasonings.
• Olive Oil Brush: For lightly coating meatballs before baking.

Cooking Instructions for Turkey Meatballs

• Meatball Mixture Preparation

Gather fresh ground turkey, savory sausage, and delicate prosciutto in a large mixing bowl. Crumble bread and soak with a splash of milk to create a tender base. Chop fragrant herbs and sprinkle in zesty seasonings for depth of flavor.

• Texture and Binding

Gently fold ingredients together, using a light touch to keep the mixture soft and airy. Add beaten eggs and a drizzle of olive oil to help everything meld beautifully. Avoid overmixing to ensure juicy, tender meatballs.

• Shaping and Baking

Roll the mixture into perfect round spheres, placing them carefully on parchment-lined baking sheets. Brush with olive oil to create a golden, crispy exterior. Bake until they develop a rich, appetizing color and are cooked completely through.

• Sauce and Serving

Warm marinara in a wide pan, nestling the baked meatballs into the rich sauce. Let them simmer gently to absorb the tomato’s vibrant flavors. Cook pasta until perfectly al dente, then plate with meatballs and a generous sprinkle of aged cheese.

• Final Touch

Invite guests to the table and watch their eyes light up as they enjoy these luxurious, homemade meatballs. Offer extra cheese and perhaps a crisp salad to complete the meal.

Ideas to Flavor Turkey Meatballs Differently

• Swap ground turkey with ground chicken or lean beef for different flavor profiles and textures, creating exciting variations that suit personal taste preferences.
• Replace regular bread cubes with gluten-free bread or almond flour to make the recipe suitable for those with wheat sensitivities, ensuring everyone can enjoy these delicious meatballs.
• Adjust red pepper flakes to increase or decrease heat intensity, allowing home cooks to personalize the recipe's spiciness according to their family's comfort level.
• Prepare meatballs in advance and freeze uncooked on a baking sheet, then transfer to freezer bags for quick weeknight meals, saving time and providing convenient dinner options.
• Experiment with different marinara alternatives like arrabbiata, vodka sauce, or homemade roasted tomato sauce to transform the dish's overall flavor profile and keep meals exciting.

Plating Suggestions for Turkey Meatballs

• Savor the Main Course: Serve these succulent turkey meatballs over al dente spaghetti for a classic Italian-inspired dinner that will delight your family and guests.
• Create a Cozy Family Meal: Pair the meatballs with warm garlic bread and a crisp green salad to complete the comforting meal that brings everyone together at the table.
• Elevate with Cheese Garnish: Sprinkle freshly grated Parmesan or Asiago cheese over the top, allowing the rich, nutty flavors to melt into the warm meatballs and sauce for an extra layer of deliciousness.
• Make It a Buffet Style: Set up a self-serve station with the spaghetti, meatballs, and various cheese options, letting everyone build their perfect plate and enjoy a interactive dining experience.

Hearty Barefoot Contessa Turkey Meatballs Recipe

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4.8 from 35 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s turkey meatballs offer a delightful Italian-inspired dish packed with herbs and Parmesan. Savory, tender morsels complement any pasta or can be served as an elegant appetizer that will satisfy and impress guests.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 900 g (2 lbs) ground turkey (85% to 92% lean)
• 225 g (8 oz) sweet Italian pork sausage, casings removed
• 115 g (4 oz) thinly sliced prosciutto, finely chopped
• 100 g (3.5 oz) freshly grated aged Asiago cheese
• 120 g (4.25 oz) minced fresh parsley
• 3 cups (240 g or 8.5 oz) 1-inch diced bread cubes from rustic bread, crusts removed
• ⅔ cup (160 ml or 5.4 fl oz) whole milk
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 3 tbsps (45 ml or 1.5 fl oz) good olive oil, plus extra for brushing the meatballs
• 3 jars (680 g or 24 oz) good marinara sauce, such as Rao’s
• 900 g (2 lbs) dried spaghetti, such as De Cecco
• Freshly grated Parmesan (or Asiago) cheese, for serving

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Preheat oven to 200 degrees Celsius (400 degrees Fahrenheit) and line two sheet pans with parchment paper.
2. Breadcrumb Mixture: Pulse bread cubes in food processor, transfer to bowl, and soak with milk for 5 minutes to create a moist base.
3. Meat Combination: In a large mixing bowl, blend ground turkey, italian sausage, prosciutto, Asiago cheese, parsley, oregano, red pepper flakes, and seasonings. Integrate milk-soaked breadcrumbs, olive oil, and whisked eggs until uniformly combined.
4. Shaping: Craft uniform meatballs approximately 5 centimeters in diameter using clean hands. Distribute evenly across prepared sheet pans and lightly brush with olive oil to enhance browning.
5. Roasting: Bake meatballs for 35-40 minutes, rotating pans midway to ensure consistent golden-brown coloration and thorough cooking.
6. Sauce Preparation: While meatballs roast, warm marinara sauce in a large, low-sided pot and prepare for simmering.
7. Finishing: Transfer fully cooked meatballs directly into marinara sauce. Simultaneously, cook spaghetti in salted boiling water until al dente.
8. Serving: Drain pasta, plate, and top with meatballs and sauce. Garnish with freshly grated Parmesan or Asiago cheese for a delectable final touch.

Notes

• Bread Soaking Technique: Milk-soaked breadcrumbs help create incredibly tender, moist meatballs by adding moisture and softening the meat mixture.
• Gentle Mixing Strategy: Use a fork and mix ingredients minimally to prevent tough, dense meatballs that can result from overworking the protein.
• Uniform Size Matters: Craft meatballs consistently around 2 inches in diameter to ensure even cooking and balanced texture throughout.
• Flavor Layering Tip: Combining multiple proteins like turkey, sausage, and prosciutto creates complex, rich flavor profiles that elevate the standard meatball recipe.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch, Appetizer
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 25 g
• Saturated Fat: 9 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 40 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 110 mg