Italian Turkey Zucchini Meatballs Recipe
These Italian Turkey Zucchini Meatballs are a healthy, flavorful option perfect for meal prep or a quick weeknight dinner. Made with lean ground turkey and shredded zucchini, seasoned with classic Italian herbs and spices, then baked to juicy perfection. Serve them plain or tossed in your favorite marinara sauce for an easy, nutritious meal.
- Prep Time: 8 minutes
- Cook Time: 18-20 minutes
- Total Time: 26 minutes
- Yield: 28 meatballs
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Meatball Ingredients
- 2 lb. 93/7 lean ground turkey (may substitute ground chicken, beef, or bison)
- 2 cups shredded zucchini, loosely packed
- 2 tsp. dried Italian seasoning
- 2 tsp. garlic powder
- 1 tsp. onion powder
- 1/2 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 tsp. sea salt
- 1/2 tsp. black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 400ºF (200ºC). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside to ensure an easy cleanup and prevent sticking.
- Drain Zucchini: Spread the shredded zucchini over one half of a double layer of paper towels. Top with another double layer of paper towels or fold over, then press down firmly with your hands to absorb and remove excess moisture. This step ensures your meatballs won’t be soggy.
- Mix Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the drained zucchini, ground turkey, dried Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, crushed red pepper flakes, sea salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly using a spoon or clean hands to evenly distribute the seasonings.
- Form Meatballs: Shape the mixture into 28 golf ball-sized meatballs, each about 1 1/2 ounces. Arrange them evenly spaced on the prepared baking sheet to allow even cooking.
- Bake Meatballs: Bake the meatballs in the preheated oven for 18-20 minutes, or until they are cooked through and no longer pink in the center. Use a meat thermometer to ensure an internal temperature of 165ºF (74ºC) for safety.
- Serve: Enjoy the meatballs as is, or toss them with your favorite marinara sauce. We recommend pairing them with Primal Kitchen Marinara Sauce for added flavor.
Notes
- Removing moisture from zucchini prevents watery meatballs and improves texture.
- Ground turkey can be substituted with ground chicken, beef, or bison as desired.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure meatballs reach a safe internal temperature of 165ºF (74ºC).
- Meatballs can be served with marinara sauce or used in pasta dishes, sandwiches, or as appetizers.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
