Hi, I’m Hannah! There are few meals as universally loved as a classic bowl of spaghetti and meatballs. It’s pure comfort food. I wanted to create a version that I could enjoy any night of the week—one that was packed with flavor and protein but felt light and nourishing. These Easy Healthy Turkey Meatballs are my absolute favorite solution. They are unbelievably juicy and tender (I have a secret ingredient for that!), and they come together so easily. Serving them with fresh zucchini noodles is a ‘good habit’ that turns this classic dish into a vibrant, low-carb meal that my whole family adores.

Table of Contents

Why You’ll Love These Healthy Turkey Meatballs

Juicy & Flavorful (Not Dry!): We’re solving the #1 problem with turkey meatballs! A secret ingredient (shredded zucchini!) ensures they are incredibly moist and tender every single time.
Healthy & High-Protein: Made with lean ground turkey and packed with hidden veggies, these meatballs are a powerhouse of protein and nutrients.
Quick & Easy to Make: The meatball mixture comes together in one bowl in minutes. They can be baked or pan-fried for a simple, stress-free cooking process.
Perfect for Meal Prep: These meatballs are fantastic for batch cooking. Make a double batch and freeze them for lightning-fast dinners on busy nights.

Easy Healthy Turkey Meatballs Recipe (with Zucchini Noodles) ingredients

The Simple Ingredients You’ll Need

We use a few key ingredients to ensure these meatballs are packed with flavor and moisture.

Ground Turkey: Use a lean ground turkey, preferably 93/7. It has enough fat to stay flavorful but is much leaner than ground beef.
Zucchini: This is our secret weapon! One small zucchini, finely grated with the excess water squeezed out, adds incredible moisture to the meatballs without changing the flavor. It’s a great way to sneak in extra veggies!
Almond Flour or Breadcrumbs: This acts as a binder. Almond flour is a great gluten-free and low-carb option. Panko or traditional breadcrumbs work perfectly too.
Onion & Garlic: Finely chopped onion and minced garlic provide the essential savory, aromatic base.
Egg: One egg helps bind all the ingredients together.
Herbs & Seasonings: A simple mix of dried Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper is all you need. A sprinkle of fresh parsley adds a touch of freshness.
For Serving: Your favorite marinara sauce and a base of zucchini noodles (“zoodles”), spaghetti squash, or whole wheat pasta.

How to Make Easy Turkey Meatballs

This process is simple and fun. The full, detailed recipe is in the recipe card below.

Prep the Zucchini: First, grate your zucchini using a box grater. Place the shredded zucchini in a clean kitchen towel and squeeze out as much excess water as you possibly can. This is a crucial step!
Mix the Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the ground turkey, squeezed zucchini, almond flour (or breadcrumbs), chopped onion, garlic, egg, and all seasonings. Use your hands to gently mix until everything is just combined.
Form the Meatballs: Roll the mixture into uniform 1.5-inch balls and place them on a plate or baking sheet.
Cook the Meatballs: You have two easy options! You can bake them on a sheet pan in the oven for a hands-off method, or you can pan-sear them in a skillet for a beautiful golden-brown crust.
Simmer in Sauce: Add the cooked meatballs to a pot with your favorite marinara sauce and let them simmer for at least 10 minutes to absorb all that delicious flavor. Serve your Healthy Turkey Meatballs hot over your favorite base.

Easy Healthy Turkey Meatballs Recipe (with Zucchini Noodles) processing

Tips for the Best Healthy Turkey Meatballs

The “Squeeze the Zucchini” Habit: I can’t stress this enough. Zucchini holds a lot of water. Squeezing it out is the most important ‘good habit’ for this recipe. It prevents the meatballs from becoming watery and helps them hold their shape perfectly.
Don’t Overmix: When you combine the meatball ingredients, mix with your hands only until everything is just incorporated. Overworking the ground meat can result in tough, dense meatballs.
Use a Cookie Scoop: For perfectly portioned, uniformly sized meatballs, use a medium cookie scoop. This ensures they all cook at the same rate.
Let Them Simmer: Even though the meatballs are already cooked, letting them simmer in the marinara sauce for 10-15 minutes is key. It allows them to absorb the flavor of the sauce and become even more tender.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I make these meatballs without the zucchini?
You can, but they will be less moist. The zucchini is the secret to keeping lean turkey meatballs juicy. If you omit it, you could add a tablespoon or two of milk or olive oil to the mixture to help with moisture.
How do I freeze these Healthy Turkey Meatballs?
They freeze beautifully! Let the cooked meatballs cool completely. You can freeze them on a baking sheet in a single layer until solid, then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag. They’ll last for up to 3 months.
Can I make these in an air fryer?
Yes! The air fryer is a great way to cook them. Place the meatballs in a single layer in the air fryer basket and cook at 400°F (200°C) for 10-12 minutes, or until cooked through.
What if I don’t want to use zucchini noodles?
No problem! These meatballs are fantastic with any base you like, including whole wheat spaghetti, spaghetti squash, polenta, or even in a meatball sub on a whole-grain roll.

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Easy Healthy Turkey Meatballs (with Zucchini Noodles)

Easy Healthy Turkey Meatballs Recipe

Easy Healthy Turkey Meatballs! They are incredibly juicy and flavorful (never dry!) thanks to a secret healthy ingredient. They're low-carb, perfect for meal prep, and a dinner the whole family will love.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 18

Total Time 35

Equipment

Large Baking Sheet or Large Skillet
Large Mixing Bowl
Box Grater
Kitchen Towel

Ingredients

1 lb lean ground turkey 93/7
1 small zucchini finely grated (about 1 cup)
1/2 cup almond flour or Panko breadcrumbs
1/4 cup finely chopped yellow onion
2 cloves garlic minced
1 large egg lightly beaten
1 tsp Italian seasoning
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
24 oz jar of your favorite marinara sauce for serving

Instructions

Prep Zucchini: Place the grated zucchini in the center of a clean kitchen towel or several paper towels. Squeeze tightly to remove as much excess liquid as possible.
Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl, add the ground turkey, squeezed zucchini, almond flour, chopped onion, minced garlic, beaten egg, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Use your hands to gently mix until just combined. Do not overmix.
Form Meatballs: Roll the mixture into 1.5-inch meatballs (a medium cookie scoop works well). You should get about 20-24 meatballs.
Cook the Meatballs (Two Options):
To Bake (Recommended): Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Place meatballs on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until cooked through and lightly browned.
To Pan-Fry: Heat 1 tbsp of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the meatballs in a single layer and cook for 5-7 minutes, turning occasionally, until browned on all sides and cooked through.
Simmer in Sauce: While the meatballs cook, warm your marinara sauce in a large saucepan or pot over medium heat.
Serve: Add the cooked meatballs to the warm marinara sauce and gently stir to coat. Let them simmer in the sauce for 5-10 minutes. Serve hot over zucchini noodles, pasta, or your favorite base.