Turkey Meatballs & Basic Marinara Sauce

Make your favorite comfort dish healthy in a flash! ...and you won't even know the difference. Replace ground beef with lean ground turkey, use a jar of your favorite marinara sauce or a basic marinara sauce recipe & whole wheat pasta! Bam, you've got a fantastic healthy meal on your hands!

Ingredients:

• 1 lb lean ground turkey
• 1 cup panko crumbs (Or bread crumbs if you already have them laying around the house)
• 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
• 1 egg
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 tablespoon parsley
• 1 tablespoon oregano
• 1 tablesoon thyme
• 1 carrot finely chopped 
• 1/4 onion finely chopped
• Minced garlic to taste (2-3 cloves)
• Crushed chili flakes, salt & pepper to taste
• Cooking Spray

Directions: Turn oven to broil- HIGH

1. Combine all ingredients in a large bowl.
2. Roll into 2" balls and place on a greased baking sheet.
3. Place under the broiler for 10 minutes or until golden brown on top.
4. Put in the sauce of your choice and let them cook on low for 30 minutes or longer.
**The longer they sit in the sauce, the more the flavors will infuse. Yum!

Basic Marinara Sauce Recipe:

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 14.5 oz can stewed Italian Tomatoes

1 14.5 oz can diced tomatoes

1 6 oz can tomato paste

1 14.5 oz can tomato sauce

1 tablespoon Lemon Pepper

1/2 medium onion, chopped

4 cloves garlic, minced

2 teaspoons oregano flakes

2 teaspoons parlsey flakes

2 teaspoons thyme

2 teaspoons basil flakes

Crushed Chili Pepper Flakes to taste

Salt and Pepper to taste

Add a dash of some red wine if you have it on hand!

 

Directions:

1. Combine all ingredients in a large saucepan and cook on low for as long as you would like.

 

Serve meatballs and sauce over whole wheat pasta or on whole wheat rolls for a meatball sub! **These freeze PERFECTLY to enjoy at a later date when you're not feeling like cooking! :)