Skinny Italian Turkey Meatballs

Try these at your Superbowl Party this Sunday!

 

My Italian hubby loves these meatballs. He normally prefers ground beef to ground turkey but honestly says you can't tell the difference. I agree and since these meatballs are so healthy and low in points, I no longer make my meatballs with beef. It is best to make these meatballs small so they hold together. These little meatballs make a great appetizer with toothpicks inserted, or have them for lunch with good Italian bread, or dinner over pasta. 

I've recalculated point for points plus based on each meatball 1/8 cup in size which is a little larger then I previously had, but more accurate to calculate.



Skinny Italian Turkey Meatballs
Gina's Weight Watcher RecipesServings: 6 • Serving Size: 4 meatballs w sauce • Old Points: 5 pts • Points+: 5 pts

• 20 oz (1.3 lb) Ground Turkey Breast 99% lean
• 1/4 cup whole wheat seasoned breadcrumbs
• 1/4 cup Reggiano Parmigiano cheese, grated
• 1/4 cup parsley, finely chopped
• 1 egg
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 tsp kosher salt
• 2 tbsp olive oil

Quick marinara sauce:

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 4 cloves garlic, smashed
• 2 28 oz cans crushed tomatoes (I like Tuttorosso)
• 1/2 small onion, keep whole
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 tsp oregano
• 1/4 cup fresh chopped basil
• salt and fresh pepper to taste

In a medium size pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add garlic and saute until golden, being careful not to burn. Add crushed tomatoes, onion, salt, pepper, oregano, basil and bay leaf. Stir and reduce heat to low. Cover and let simmer.

In a large bowl, combine ground turkey, breadcrumbs, egg, parsley, garlic and cheese. Using your (clean) hands, mix all the ingredients well until everything is combined. Form small meatballs, about the size of a ping ping ball (1/8th cup each).

Heat the 2 tbsp olive oil on medium high in a large saute pan. Add the meatballs and saute until browned on all sides, about 5 minutes. When brown, place on a paper towel to soak excess oil, then add the meatballs to the sauce and cook about 20 minutes. Discard the onion and serve over pasta or on whole wheat Italian bread for a meatball hero.