Juicy Turkey Meatballs Roasted Peppers (Printable)
Tender turkey meatballs cooked in a luscious roasted red pepper sauce with hints of garlic and herbs.
# What You Need:
→ Turkey Meatballs
01 - 1.1 lb ground turkey
02 - 1/2 cup breadcrumbs (gluten-free if needed)
03 - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
04 - 1 large egg
05 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
06 - 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
07 - 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
08 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
09 - 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
→ Roasted Red Pepper Sauce
10 - 2 large roasted red bell peppers, drained
11 - 1 small onion, chopped
12 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
13 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
14 - 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
15 - 1/2 cup heavy cream
16 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
17 - 1/4 teaspoon chili flakes (optional)
18 - Salt and ground black pepper, to taste
→ For Serving
19 - Fresh basil or parsley, chopped (optional)
# How to Make It:
01 - Preheat the oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - In a large bowl, mix ground turkey, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, egg, garlic, parsley, oregano, salt, and black pepper until just blended.
03 - Shape the mixture into 16 to 18 equal meatballs and arrange them evenly on the prepared baking sheet.
04 - Bake the meatballs for 15 to 18 minutes until they are lightly browned and fully cooked.
05 - While meatballs bake, heat olive oil over medium heat in a skillet. Sauté chopped onion until soft, about 3 to 4 minutes, then add garlic and cook for 1 minute.
06 - Add roasted red peppers, chicken broth, smoked paprika, chili flakes (if using), salt, and pepper. Simmer the mixture for 5 minutes.
07 - Transfer the sauce to a blender or use an immersion blender to puree until completely smooth.
08 - Return the pureed sauce to the skillet, stir in heavy cream, and bring to a gentle simmer.
09 - Add the baked meatballs to the sauce and simmer for 5 to 7 minutes, spooning sauce over them to ensure even coating.
10 - Sprinkle with fresh basil or parsley and serve while hot.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- Ground turkey keeps things light without sacrificing the kind of comfort you actually crave on a weeknight.
- The roasted red pepper sauce does all the heavy lifting flavor-wise, so you can feel like you've cooked something restaurant-worthy in under an hour.
- It's naturally forgiving—the meatballs stay juicy even if your timing isn't perfect.
02 -
- Don't skip the parchment paper on your baking sheet; it means the meatballs brown evenly and cleanup becomes effortless.
- The magic of this dish lives in the sauce, so taste it before adding the meatballs—adjust the paprika, cream, and seasoning to your preference because that's when it becomes yours.
03 -
- If you have time, char fresh red bell peppers yourself—the flavor difference is subtle but noticeable, and it feels like a small victory in the kitchen.
- An immersion blender saves you the step of transferring hot sauce to a blender, which means fewer dishes and less risk of spills.