Spaghetti Marinara with Turkey Meatballs
Spaghetti marinara with turkey meatballs is a delicious twist on an Italian classic. This dish features al dente spaghetti noodles lavishly coated in a vibrant and tangy marinara sauce. You can use store-bought marinara or you can try my Simple Marinara Sauce recipe. The turkey meatballs are tender and juicy, made from ground turkey that's at least 93% lean, this helps keep the meatballs juicy and not dry. The turkey is mixed with breadcrumbs or panko, garlic, shallots, and a medley of Italian herbs.
The cooking process is just as simple! In a large skillet, cook the meatballs in batches until they are lightly browned to perfection, offering a delightful texture that's both satisfying and surprisingly light. The meatballs are then simmered along with the marinara for about 10 minutes. As the meatballs simmer in the marinara sauce, they absorb some of the sauce's rich tomato and herb flavors. Fats and juices from the meatballs mingle with the sauce, enriching its texture and adding depth to its flavor. This process helps the flavors meld together, making the meatballs and marinara tastier and giving them a more complex flavor profile.
When assembled together the spaghetti, marinara, and turkey meatballs are perfection. Each forkful delivers a perfect bite of flavorful, herb-infused meatballs and pasta drenched in tomato sauce. Garnish with fresh parsley or basil and a generous sprinkle of Parmesan cheese. This recipe is perfect for cozy family dinners!
Spaghetti Marinara with Turkey Meatballs
Ingredients
- 16 oz of Spaghetti, cooked according to the package
- 2 lbs ground turkey 93% lean
- 1 cup bread crumbs or panko
- 6 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 shallots, finely chopped
- 2 eggs
- 4 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 4 tbsp fresh basil, finely chopped
- 2 tsp worcestershire sauce
- ½ tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 4 tbsp olive oil
- 1 (24oz) jar of marinara (or try my Simple Marinara Sauce recipe)
- fresh parmesan, grated (for serving)
- fresh parsley, chopped (for serving)
Instructions
- Cook spaghetti according to package instructions.
- In a large bowl, combine ground turkey, bread crumbs or panko, garlic, shallots, eggs, parsley, basil, worcestershire sauce, oregano, salt, and pepper. Shape into approximately 40 meatballs.
- In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat until simmering. Add the meatballs in a single layer and brown on all sides, 7 to 8 minutes total or until they reach an internal temperature of 165F. You do not want to overcrowd the pan, so cook in batches.
- When the meatballs are finished, add them all to the skillet along with the marinara sauce. Coat them evenly in the sauce, cover, and simmer for 10 minutes.
- Serve by adding your al dente spaghetti to a bowl and coat with the marinara and turkey meatballs. Finish by garnishing your bowl with fresh grated parmesan and chopped parsley. Enjoy!
