Turkey Meatballs Like Grandma Used to Make

Spaghetti and meatballs is my comfort food. For as long as I can remember this meal has always been the one I’ve requested when I wasn’t feeling well and it was the first meal I wanted after I had Jackson. I’ve been making my Grandmother’s meatball recipe for at least a decade now and there is something therapeutic about making her gravy and meatballs. It’s one of my favorite meals to prepare and share with friends. And it’s one of those things, that comes naturally, that I know I do well. Seriously, even my mother-in-law loves this meal.

My Grandmother’s original recipe calls for a mix of ground beef, pork and veal. Over the years I’ve cut out the amount of red meat I eat and I’ve been making these meatballs with ground turkey for awhile now. There is no difference in taste when making these with ground turkey. My Dad who at these meatballs all his life, has never noticed a difference. Though if you want to keep this recipe old school feel free to stick with the trio of ground beef, pork and veal.

Turkey Meatballs

2lbs ground turkey
3/4 -1cup Italian seasoned bread crumbs (more as needed)
1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
2 eggs
At least one clove garlic minced (I usually go for more but that’s a personal preference)
1/4 cup cheese

1. Heat 2 tbsp olive oil over med -high heat in a frying pan.
2. Combine all ingredients in a large bowl.
3. Using hands mix ingredients together until well mixed. Take a portion of meat the size you want your meatballs to be and start to roll into balls. I like to make mine slightly bigger than a golf ball. But the size is totally up to you. If they aren’t forming easily or are falling apart add more bread crumbs.
4. Place meatballs in frying pan and fry till browned. I tend to like mine to be pretty crispy on the outside but again this is a personal preference.
5. Once browned place in a pot of gravy to finish cooking.

These freeze really well, as does my gravy recipe and are perfect for defrosting and having meatball sandwiches or great for a night when you don’t feel like cooking a big meal.