Matt’s Famous Italian Turkey Meatballs
Can I just say for a minute that you guys are CRUSHING IT! Tons of you are Whole30ing this month or just trying to cook healthy meals at home and that is amazing. I am a fan of January resolutions but as you might know by now – I am pregnant and loving/ needing all the carbs! So although I am not doing a Whole30 I am making an effort to get back in the kitchen after a rough first trimester filled with lots of takeout. So of course we are sticking to recipes we know and love best. This turkey meatball recipe has been on repeat in our house for years, and I have never shared the recipe – shame on me! I call them “Matt’s Famous Italian Turkey Meatballs” because usually Matt (the hubs) is the one making these.
A long time he wanted meatballs during our first Whole30 so I said okay can you make them? I just told him to use some almond flour and egg and whatever seasonings he wanted. That night we had the best meatballs EVER and I tasked him with making them every time we wanted meatballs. Now he takes great pride in his epic recipe and I managed to get him to share his secrets with us! It is super simple and utilizes that spice rack beautifully. Not too much, not too little, just enough flavor without being complicated. I think these are going to become a usual rotation in your kitchen very soon! I usually serve them with just some roasted veggies but they are also great on spiralized zucchini or sweet potatoes! And of course always top with a good marinara sauce too!
The most simple and best meal we have!
HUBBA HUBBA.
Here are a few more recipes for you to try with these amazing meatballs:
Crispy Garlic Potatoes {Whole30}
Fiesta Salad with Salsa Vinaigrette
Rosemary Meyer Lemon Olive Oil Cake
Make sure to pin the image below to save this incredible Italian Turkey Meatballs recipe for later!
Matt’s Famous Italian Turkey Meatballs
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground turkey
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 egg
- ¼ cup almond flour
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon ground fennel
- ½ teaspoon dried basil
- ½ teaspoon oregano
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
Optional topping:
- Marinara sauce!
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- In a large bowl combine all of the ingredients and mix together with your clean hands so all of the ingredients get combined completely evenly. Try not to overmix too much.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil. Scoop meat into balls until you form around 16-18 balls. Space them out evenly so they aren’t touching each other.
- Place the pan in the oven for 16 minutes.
- Remove and enjoy with some marinara sauce and roasted veggies!
I cannot wait to try this recipe, it looks sooooo simple, thank you! I showed it to m y 15-year-old Son Josh, who is into healthy eating and he said: “Make a lot Mom…I’m warning you, they sound amazing amazing!!” Thank you so much, mama Kelsey (and Matt)!!!!!
Yay!! Enjoy them!!
Hi! Any thoughts on a nut free replacement for almond flour that is still paleo? Severe nut allergy in this family. And, congratulations!!!
You can do 2 tablespoons of coconut flour!
I made these tonight and served them over roasted shredded brussels with kalamata olives. I topped everything off with Arribiatta sauce and dannnnnng. This was one of the best meals I’ve made in awhile. SO SO GOOD!
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Yay!! That is awesome to hear!!
I have these in my oven right now and they smell delicious! Is there a certain brand/specific fat % ground turkey that yields the best results for meatballs? I used organic ground turkey from my local Costco and it was sticky and difficult to roll/work with! What am I doing wrong? Thanks ☺
Well they should be kind of sticky. I just get standard ground turkey, make sure not to use non fat turkey!
I used the costco turkey also and could NOT use my hands to make balls…used an ice cream scooper and it worked great!!
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Perfect!
Really want to make these this week, but I’m missing the tomato paste! I really don’t want to have to go back to the store (I live in the country!). Any chance I could leave out the tomato paste and they would still work?!
You can leave it out! It adds a little flavor and moisture but they will still be good without!
Really enjoyed these! Even my 2 year old! Will definitely be making these again. I did use coconut flour instead of almond, and fennel essential oil, because that’s what I had.
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Love it!!
Made these this weekend and had a great whole30 spaghettis dinner (Used butternut squash in place of noodles). I made a double batch to freeze for later… How would you go about reheating these bad boys for lunch or another dinner?
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You could microwave or heat in a 350 degree oven until heated through!
I have been craving something full of flavor, Italian, but healthy and these were absolutely delicious!!
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Awesome!!
My teenagers LOVED these! They are “healthy food” haters. Next time I’ll make a double batch so I can have leftovers for lunch.
Awesome to hear!!
Perfect consistency and packed with flavor! Have made these twice now and eat them with spaghetti squash and it’s terrific!
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That is great to hear!
Delicious and easy!
The best combo!!
Could I possibly sub arrowroot flour in this? Craving meatballs, but don’t want to buy almond flour!
I haven’t tried that but let me know if it works!
Yummmmm! Making these for a superbowl party tomorrow! They’re in the oven as we speak! Er… Write.
Hope you loved!!
Looks delish! Have you tried making these in the InstantPot?
I have not!
Could ground beef be substituted for ground turkey? Have all the ingredients except ground turkey. Thanks!
Yes of course!
Made these tonight with marinara sauce and zoodles. They were a hit, everyone loved them. They have great flavor and good texture. Will be making these again soon ❤️
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So good to hear!!
I made these tonight for lunch tomorrow! So excited to try them! Thanks!
Made these for the first time. Follow recipe exactly and cook exactly 16 min and they are juicy and the best meatball EVER! Served with marinara and mozzarella. Garlic Parmesan roasted broccoli and Italian side salad. Excellent dinner!
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Yumm!! Sounds perfect!
I made these the other night and it was SO DELICIOUS! Very juicy with great texture and flavor. My husband has requested that I make them again!
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That’s great!! They are an awesome staple recipe!
No joke, some of the best meatballs I’ve ever had and so easy. 10/10 Matt (and Kelsey!) new favorite recipe
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That’s awesome, thanks Kali!
These are amazing, my hubby even loved them too!! Thanks for a great recipe!!!
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I am so so glad!!
I have these meatballs on repeat in my house. I don’t even miss the pasta when I’m doing a whole30. I usually load up on the fennel because why not, its delicious!!!
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It totally is!!
THE BEST MEATBALLS. I’ve made many complicated whole30 meatballs before trying these and my family agrees these are the absolute best! So simple and delicious. I’ve even made a quadruple batch to freeze some 🙂
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These are the BEST! We refer to these at Matt balls at our house.
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Hahaha I love that so much
This is our family favorite!
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I’m so glad!!
These are so, so delish, just as they are. I’m not whole 30 or keto or anything, and I sometimes replace almond flour with whatever plain flour I have around the house and they’re still delicious. The fennel really makes them. Thanks, Matt!
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That’s great!
These were amazing!! Thank you!!
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So glad!!
Love this recipe, so easy for a weeknight dinner!
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So glad!!
This is such a simple and delicious recipe! I tripled the recipe so we can enjoy them for a couple of meals this weekend. I plan to pair it with your Crispy Garlic Potatoes you linked in this recipe. Thanks for sharing this!
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Sounds Delish!!
These meatballs are amazing!! My family loves them and my daughter is always excited when she hears I’m making them. Note: I never have ground fennel and they still taste great!
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Amazing!
We had the bad habit of buying frozen meatballs from TJ’s even though we always have ground turkey from Costco in the freezer. This recipe was so easy and quick to make that I hope I remember them each time I reach for frozen store bought meatballs! Thank you!
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Love to hear this!
I make a triple batch of these on a regular basis and freeze some. My hubby and I make all kinds of bowls with rice and veggies and these meatballs. I use the Costco ground turkey, and it is hard to work with, but it helps if you get your hands wet. I just thought that after 30+ times making these, I should leave you a comment.
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This is the best comment! So glad you love them soo much!!