Quick Fix: Ina Garten’s Spicy Turkey Meatballs & Spaghetti Recipe

Weeknight dinners demand something special, and these Ina Garten spicy turkey meatballs instantly spark joy at the dinner table.

Tender, juicy, and packed with bold flavors, this recipe promises a delightful twist on classic comfort food.

The perfectly seasoned turkey meatballs carry a subtle heat that dancers across your palate.

Each bite delivers a harmonious blend of herbs and spices that elevate the entire dish.

spaghetti serves as the perfect canvas for these succulent meatballs, creating a meal that feels both sophisticated and comforting.

Simple ingredients come together with surprising elegance, turning an ordinary evening into a culinary celebration.

You’ll love how quickly this restaurant-worthy meal comes together in your own kitchen.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes

Calories: 510 kcal

Servings: 8

Ingredients to Make Ina Garten Spicy Turkey Meatballs & Spaghetti

• Turkey: Lean protein that provides a lighter alternative to beef, choose fresh ground turkey with some fat content for juiciness..
• Pork Sausage: Adds rich flavor and helps keep meatballs moist, select a spicy or mild version based on preference..
• Prosciutto: Brings delicate saltiness and depth, look for thinly sliced, high-quality Italian-style ham..

• Bread Cubes: Creates tender texture and helps hold meatballs together, use day-old crusty bread for best results..
• Milk: Softens bread and adds moisture, whole milk works best for richer consistency..
• Eggs: Binds ingredients and provides structure, select fresh large eggs at room temperature..
• Olive Oil: Enhances moisture and helps prevent dryness, choose extra virgin for best flavor..

• Asiago Cheese: Delivers sharp, nutty undertones, opt for freshly grated for maximum taste..
• Parsley: Adds fresh herbal notes, select bright green leaves without wilting..
• Oregano: Introduces classic Italian herb flavor, use dried or fresh depending on availability..
• Red Pepper Flakes: Provides spicy kick, adjust quantity based on heat tolerance..
• Salt and Pepper: Fundamental seasonings that balance and elevate overall taste..
• Marinara Sauce: Authentic Italian-style sauce that complements meatball flavor..
• Parmesan Cheese: Offers sharp, salty finish when serving, always grate fresh..
• Spaghetti: Classic pasta that perfectly supports hearty meatballs, choose high-quality du.

Tools Required for Ina Garten Spicy Turkey Meatballs & Spaghetti

• Food processor: Perfect for quickly blending bread cubes into medium crumbs.
• Large mixing bowl: Essential for combining and mixing meatball ingredients by hand.
• Baking trays: Needed for shaping and baking meatballs evenly.
• Parchment paper: Helps prevent meatballs from sticking to the trays.
• Large shallow pot: Used for simmering marinara sauce and meatballs.
• Large pot: Necessary for boiling spaghetti in salted water.
• Measuring cups and spoons: For accurate ingredient measurements.
• Fork: Helpful for stirring eggs and olive oil into the meatball mixture.
• Cheese grater: For freshly grating Parmesan cheese when serving.

How to Prepare Ina Garten Spicy Turkey Meatballs & Spaghetti

Spicy Turkey Meatball Adventure

• Oven Preparation Magical Setup

Grab your baking trays and set the oven to a toasty 400°F. Line the trays with parchment paper for effortless cleanup.

• Bread Transformation

Pulse bread cubes into cozy crumbs and let them swim in milk, creating a soft foundation for your meatballs.

• Flavor Fusion

Combine turkey, sausage, prosciutto, and bread mixture in a big mixing bowl. Sprinkle in Asiago, herbs, and spicy red pepper flakes. Gently fold everything together with olive oil and eggs, creating a symphony of tastes.

• Meatball Crafting

Shape your mixture into plump 2-inch spheres. Arrange them on prepared trays, giving each meatball a light olive oil massage. Bake until they turn golden and crispy, about 35-40 minutes.

• Sauce Simmering

Pour marinara into a wide pot and let it bubble gently. Nestle your perfectly baked meatballs into the sauce, allowing them to get cozy and absorb all the delicious flavors.

• Pasta Perfection

Boil salted water and cook spaghetti until it reaches that ideal al dente texture. Drain and get ready for the grand finale.

• Delicious Finale

Plate your spaghetti, crown it with three succulent meatballs, and shower with marinara. Offer freshly grated Parmesan on the side for extra comfort.

Tips to Amp Up Ina Garten Spicy Turkey Meatballs & Spaghetti

• Keep meatballs juicy by using milk-soaked bread crumbs, which help retain moisture and create a tender texture without making them dense.
• Adjust red pepper flakes to match your heat preference – reduce for mild flavor or increase for a fiery kick that adds exciting depth to the dish.
• Prepare meatballs up to two days in advance and store in the refrigerator, allowing flavors to develop and making weeknight dinners faster and easier.
• Replace turkey with ground chicken or lean beef if desired, maintaining similar cooking techniques and seasoning for versatile meal options.
• Cool meatballs completely, then freeze in an airtight container for up to three months, creating a convenient protein option for future meals.

How to Serve Ina Garten Spicy Turkey Meatballs & Spaghetti

• Pair with Fresh Salad: Toss a crisp green salad with light vinaigrette to balance the rich, spicy meatballs and create a refreshing side dish.
• Create Family-Style Presentation: Arrange spaghetti and meatballs on a large platter, allowing everyone to serve themselves with a rustic, welcoming touch.
• Enhance with Wine Pairing: Select a medium-bodied red wine like Chianti or Sangiovese to complement the robust flavors of the turkey and marinara sauce.
• Add Crusty Garlic Bread: Serve warm, toasted garlic bread on the side to soak up extra sauce and provide a delightful textural contrast.

Save Leftovers of Ina Garten Spicy Turkey Meatballs & Spaghetti

• Refrigerate Wisely: Store leftover meatballs and sauce in an airtight container for up to 4 days, keeping the pasta separate to prevent sogginess.
• Freeze for Future Meals: Pack cooled meatballs and sauce in freezer-safe containers, where they'll stay delicious for 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
• Reheat with Care: Warm meatballs gently in a covered skillet with marinara sauce over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally to maintain moisture and prevent burning.
• Portion and Prep: Divide remaining meatballs into single-serving containers for quick lunches or easy weeknight dinners. Label with the date to track freshness.

Savory Ina Garten Spicy Turkey Meatballs & Spaghetti Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 14 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Ina Garten’s spicy turkey meatballs & spaghetti embodies rustic Italian-American comfort cuisine with bold, zesty flavors. Hearty ingredients and simple techniques create a satisfying meal that will delight you at the dinner table.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 lb ground turkey (85% to 92% lean)
• 0.5 lb sweet Italian pork sausage (casings removed)
• 4 oz thinly sliced prosciutto (finely chopped)
• 2 extra-large eggs (lightly beaten)
• 1 cup freshly grated aged Asiago cheese
• 3 cups bread cubes (1-inch-diced, from a round rustic bread, crusts removed)
• 0.67 cups whole milk
• Freshly grated Parmesan cheese (for serving)
• 0.5 cup minced fresh parsley
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
• Kosher salt
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 3 tbsps good olive oil (plus extra for brushing the meatballs)
• 3 (24-oz) jars good marinara sauce (such as Rao’s)
• 2 lb dried spaghetti (such as De Cecco)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Oven Preparation: Preheat oven to 200°C / 400°F and line two baking trays with parchment paper.
2. Bread Crumb Preparation: Pulse bread cubes in a food processor, transfer to a mixing bowl, and saturate with milk to soften for 5 minutes.
3. Meatball Mixture: Combine ground turkey, Italian sausage, prosciutto, moistened bread crumbs, Asiago cheese, parsley, oregano, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper in a large bowl. Integrate beaten eggs and olive oil, mixing gently with hands until just combined.
4. Meatball Shaping: Form uniform 2-inch meatballs, placing them on prepared baking trays with slight spacing. Brush lightly with olive oil to promote golden browning.
5. Baking Process: Roast meatballs in preheated oven for 35-40 minutes until golden and fully cooked through.
6. Sauce Preparation: Warm marinara sauce in a large pot over medium-low heat until gently simmering.
7. Sauce Infusion: Transfer baked meatballs into simmering marinara, allowing them to absorb flavors for 5-7 minutes.
8. Pasta Cooking: Boil salted water and cook spaghetti until al dente, then drain completely.
9. Serving: Plate spaghetti, top with three meatballs per serving, ladle additional marinara sauce, and garnish with freshly grated Parmesan cheese.

Notes

• Meat Mixture Mastery: Avoid overmixing the ingredients to prevent dense, tough meatballs; use a light hand when combining to maintain a tender texture.
• Bread Crumb Technique: Soaking bread crumbs in milk creates a softer, more moisture-rich meatball that helps prevent dryness during baking.
• Browning Boost: Brushing meatballs with olive oil before roasting enhances golden-brown color and helps lock in moisture for a more flavorful result.
• Temperature Precision: Use a meat thermometer to ensure ground turkey reaches an internal temperature of 165°F for safe consumption while maintaining juiciness.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 510
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 850 mg
• Fat: 25 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 45 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 32 g
• Cholesterol: 150 mg