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Turkey Meatballs in Pan with Tomato Sauce
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4.91 from 11 votes

Turkey Meatballs in a Tomato Sauce

Succulent meatballs in a tomato sauce.
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time45 minutes
Total Time1 hour
Course: Main Meal
Cuisine: Main Meal
Servings: 4
Calories: 348kcal
Author: Amy

Ingredients

  • TOMATO SAUCE
  • 2 tablespoon oil
  • 1 onion - finely chopped *SEE NOTE 1
  • 1 celery stalk - finely chopped *SEE NOTE 1
  • 1 teaspoon minced garlic
  • 700ml (3 cups) passata *SEE NOTE 2
  • 500 ml (2 cups) water
  • ½ teaspoon oregano
  • Pinch dried crushed chilli flakes (optional)
  • MEATBALLS
  • ½ onion - finely chopped
  • 450g (1 lb) turkey mince (ground turkey)
  • 1 egg
  • 35g (½ cup) breadcrumbs
  • 25g (4 tbsp) freshly grated parmesan cheese * SEE NOTE 3

Instructions

  • Heat the oil in a heavy based saucepan or dutch oven, add the onions (for the sauce), celery and garlic and cook at a low temperature, stirring occasionally, for about 10 mins.
  • Add the oregano, crushed chilli flakes, passata and water and bring to the boil before turning the heat down to simmer gently (while you make the meatballs. ) Season to taste. 
  • Put all the meatball ingredients into a large mixing bowl and mix together, gently, with your hands. Try not to over mix. *SEE NOTE 4
  • Roll the mixture into balls approx. 1tbsp inch in size. We made 28 from this mixture.
  • Gently place the balls into the tomato sauce and allow to simmer for 30 mins, until cooked through.
  • Serve with a side of your choice.

Notes

  1. I finely chop the vegetables for the sauce but if your kids do not like "bits" in their sauce then I recommend pureeing the onion and celery to give a smoother sauce.
  2. You replace the passata with two 400g (14 oz) cans of tomatoes. 
  3. Freshly grated parmesan works best in this recipe. I buy a block and freshly grate it. You can alternatively buy freshly grated parmesan but don't use the ambient grated parmesan (you find in the pasta aisle), the taste is not the same!  
  4. For more flavour, you may wish to add some herbs. A little thyme, oregano or basil all works well. 
Nutritional information is a rough GUIDE only, calculated using an online nutrition calculator. 

Nutrition

Calories: 348kcal | Carbohydrates: 26g | Protein: 34g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 107mg | Sodium: 302mg | Potassium: 1218mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 11g | Vitamin A: 1075IU | Vitamin C: 22.1mg | Calcium: 152mg | Iron: 4.8mg