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    Baked Turkey Pesto Meatballs

    Baked Turkey Pesto Meatballs stuffed with mozzarella cheese! These meatballs are amazing and loaded with tons of flavor!
    Prep Time: 20 minutes
    Cook Time: 40 minutes
    Total Time: 1 hour
    Servings: 40 meatballs

    Ingredients

    • 4 ounces low moisture mozzarella, cut into cubes (about 40)
    • 2 lbs ground turkey
    • 1 large egg
    • 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
    • 4 tbsp basil pesto
    • 3 tbsp tomato paste
    • 3 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
    • 1 tsp salt
    • 1/2 tsp pepper

    Easy Tomato Sauce

    • 1 tbsp olive oil
    • 1/4 cup onion, diced
    • 3 cloves garlic, minced
    • 28 ounces crushed tomatoes
    • 2 tbsp tomato paste
    • 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
    • 1/4 tsp sugar
    • 1/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
    • salt and pepper

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
      Add turkey, egg, breadcrumbs, pesto, tomato paste, parsley, salt and pepper. Mix until combined and then portion into meatballs. (see note 1)
      Place the meatballs on a rimmed baking sheet covered with parchment paper. You could also just place them on a baking sheet drizzled with a bit of oil.
    • Gently push a piece of chilled mozzarella into the center of the meatball and roll again to make sure the cheese is completely covered.
    • Cook for 25-30 minutes or until fully cooked. While the meatballs are baking make the tomato sauce.
    • Serve the meatballs immediately with your favorite tomato sauce and pasta.

    Easy Tomato Sauce

    • Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium heat.
      Add in the onion and cook for 4-5 minutes until tender. Add in garlic and cook for an additional minute.
    • Pour in tomatoes, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, sugar and crushed red pepper flakes.
      Cook, stirring occasionally until sauce is thickened, about 15 minutes. Allow the sauce to keep simmering on low until your are ready to toss in your meatballs.

    Notes

    1. I portion my meatballs out using this scoop. I don't worry about rolling them until after I add in my cheese in the center.

    Nutrition Information

    Calories: 504kcalCarbohydrates: 19gProtein: 63gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 178mgSodium: 708mgPotassium: 957mgFiber: 2gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 995IUVitamin C: 10mgCalcium: 95mgIron: 4mg