Turkey Meatballs Al Forno
This recipe for Turkey Meatballs Al Forno is a perfect cold weather comfort food dish. Courtesy of California Health & Longevity Institute® near Los Angeles, the Institute offers a holistic approach to healthy living that unites renowned experts in the fields of Medicine, Nutrition, Fitness, Life Balance and Spa.
Servings: 8
Calories: 235kcal
This recipe for Turkey Meatballs Al Forno ("oven baked") is a perfect cold weather comfort food dish.
Ingredients
- ½ cup stale bread crust removed, cubed
- ¼ cup nonfat milk
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- ½ cup chopped onion
- ½ cup finely chopped parsley
- 2 tablespoons garlic finely minced
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 2 pounds ground turkey breast
- Olive Oil (or similiar) Cooking Spray
- 1 quart basic tomato sauce
- ¼ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 2 tablespoons basil (fresh, chopped)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Combine bread in small bowl with milk; let soak for 5 minutes.
- In large bowl, combine Parmesan, onion, parsley, eggs, garlic, and red pepper flakes. Mix to combine.
- Using your hands, squeeze the bread to press out the milk. Add soaked bread and ground turkey to onion mixture. With fingertips, combine all ingredients without over mixing.
- Using a 2 oz. scoop or by hand form mixture into 2-inch meatballs (aim for 16 meatballs for 8 servings of 2 meatballs each). place meatballs on parchment lined baking sheet.
- Spray meatballs lightly with organic olive oil spray.
- Bake in oven for 20-25 minutes or until lightly browned.
- Place meatballs on platter, spoon over tomato sauce, sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and chopped basil.
- Enjoy!
Spa Index Kitchen Notes
The Institute serves 2 as an appetizer, but you could have 3-4 as an entree, as well. Serve leftover meatballs and sauce tucked into toasted pita bread, for a leaner meatball sandwich popular with teens and hearty diners, or in hearty lettuce leaves for a lean and green wrap.
Depending on the quality and volume of cheese and other factors, such as how much olive oil is used, our calculations most often came out to 235 calories for 2 meatballs with a bit of sauce.
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Nutrition
Serving: 2 meatballs | Calories: 235 kcal (12%) | Carbohydrates: 16.5 g (6%) | Protein: 19 g (38%) | Fat: 10 g (15%) | Saturated Fat: 4 g (25%) | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1 g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2 g | Cholesterol: 50 mg (17%) | Sodium: 747 mg (32%) | Potassium: 333 mg (10%) | Fiber: 2 g (8%) | Sugar: 5 g (6%) | Vitamin A: 450 IU (9%) | Vitamin C: 11.6 mg (14%) | Calcium: 210 mg (21%) | Iron: 2 mg (11%)