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Easy Turkey Meatball Marinara Skillet

Easy turkey meatball marinara skillet with rich sauce and melted parmesan cheese.
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A comforting one-pan family dinner featuring tender turkey meatballs simmered in a savory marinara sauce. This recipe delivers classic Italian flavor with minimal effort and cleanup, perfect for a busy weeknight. It’s a universally appealing meal that consistently earns requests for seconds.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb ground turkey (93% lean)
  • 1/3 cup plain breadcrumbs
  • 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 large egg, lightly beaten
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh parsley
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 small yellow onion, finely diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 (24-ounce) jar marinara sauce
  • 1/2 cup water or low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Fresh basil or parsley, for garnish
  • Additional grated Parmesan, for serving

Instructions

  1. In a large bowl, gently combine the ground turkey, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, egg, 2 cloves minced garlic, parsley, oregano, salt, and pepper. Form into about 18-20 tablespoon-sized meatballs.
  2. Heat olive oil in a large, deep skillet over medium heat. Add meatballs in a single layer and brown for 2-3 minutes per side. They do not need to be cooked through. Remove to a plate.
  3. In the same skillet, add the diced onion and cook for 4-5 minutes until softened. Add the 3 cloves minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  4. Pour in the marinara sauce, water or broth, dried basil, and red pepper flakes if using. Stir, scraping up the browned bits from the pan bottom.
  5. Gently nestle the browned meatballs back into the sauce. Bring to a gentle bubble, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15-18 minutes.
  6. Remove lid, stir gently, and let sit off heat for a minute. Garnish with fresh herbs and additional Parmesan cheese before serving.

Notes

Do not overmix the meatball ingredients to keep them tender. Browning the meatballs first builds essential flavor. The dish freezes well for up to 3 months. For gluten-free, use gluten-free breadcrumbs. For dairy-free, omit the Parmesan.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://harmonymeal.com/easy-turkey-meatball-marinara-skillet/