Looking for an easy and flavorful dinner to make this week? Try these Turkey Meatballs in Roasted Red Pepper Sauce! This dish features tender turkey meatballs baked to perfection and nestled in a creamy, smooth roasted red pepper sauce. Serve it over pasta or enjoy it straight from the skillet with your favorite salad or side dish. Here’s a complete guide to making this delicious meal.
Ingredients
For the Turkey Meatballs
- 1 lb ground turkey
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs (preferably whole wheat)
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh parsley
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp dried oregano
For the Roasted Red Pepper Sauce
- 4 large red bell peppers
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half for a lighter option)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Optional Garnishes
- Fresh basil or parsley for garnish
- Grated Parmesan cheese
Grocery List
- Ground turkey (1 lb)
- Breadcrumbs (whole wheat, 1/2 cup)
- Eggs (1 large)
- Fresh parsley (1/4 cup)
- Garlic (4 cloves)
- Red bell peppers (4 large)
- Onion (1 medium)
- Heavy cream (or half-and-half, 1/2 cup)
- Olive oil (1 tbsp)
- Salt and pepper
- Dried oregano (1 tsp)
- Optional garnishes: fresh basil, Parmesan cheese
Cooking Guide
Cooking Time
- Preparation Time: 15 minutes
- Cooking Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
Instructions
- Prepare the Roasted Red Pepper Sauce:
- Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
- Cut the red bell peppers in half, remove seeds and stems, and place them cut-side down on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Roast the peppers for about 20 minutes until the skins are blistered and charred. Remove from oven and let cool.
- In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add chopped onion and sauté until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for another minute.
- Once the peppers are cool enough to handle, peel off the skins and add them to the skillet with onions and garlic. Blend everything until smooth using a blender or immersion blender. Stir in heavy cream and season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Make the Turkey Meatballs:
- In a bowl, combine ground turkey, breadcrumbs, egg, parsley, minced garlic, salt, pepper, and oregano. Mix gently until just combined; do not overmix.
- Form mixture into meatballs about 1.5 inches in diameter.
- Place meatballs on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake at 400°F (200°C) for about 20 minutes or until cooked through.
- Combine Meatballs with Sauce:
- Once meatballs are cooked, add them directly into the skillet with the roasted red pepper sauce. Simmer together for about 5 minutes to meld flavors.
- Serve:
- Serve the meatballs over pasta or enjoy them straight from the skillet. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley and sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese if desired.
Nutritional Information (per serving)
Assuming this recipe serves 5:
- Calories: Approximately 350 per serving
- Ground Turkey: ~170 calories
- Breadcrumbs: ~50 calories
- Cream: ~100 calories
- Peppers & Vegetables: ~30 calories
Tips & Notes
- For added flavor, consider mixing in some grated cheese into the meatball mixture.
- You can substitute ground turkey with lean ground beef or chicken if preferred.
- To make it gluten-free, use gluten-free breadcrumbs.
Join our kitchen companion membership for more delicious recipes like this one! Enjoy your cooking adventure with these turkey meatballs in roasted red pepper sauce—a delightful meal that’s sure to impress your family or guests!
