Today I made meatballs.
And before you all start to freak out and tell me just how uncool meatballs are, let me explain myself.
Okay fine, the truth is that I just wanted meatballs. They’re not only great to make ahead of time and freeze, but they’re also just pretty darn tasty. Plus, they’re superrrrrrrr photogenic.
No? You’ll see what I mean in a minute.
I make mine with ground turkey instead of beef and bake them instead of fry them. I like to be healthy, you know?
Here’s what you need for success:
Now, remember when I told you last night I broke the can opener trying to open some pumpkin?
Yeahhhhh…..Don’t try that at home.
By some grace of God, I didn’t chop off any digits AND successfully got all the tomatoes into the VitaMix.
After I blended these babies up, I poured the puree into a large dutch oven and added oregano, salt and garlic. Your house will smell like Grandma’s–promise!
That is, if your grandma is Italian. Mine is Norwegian and her house smells more like butter and sugar.
Let this simmer for about twenty minutes so it thickens up a bit and meanwhile, start on yo meat!
Actually, first, combine a half cup of milk with a half cup of bread crumbs and let it sit for a sec. I like to use Panko because that’s what my mom uses.
Now, in a large bowl, combine the ground turkey, a minced shallot (I know I took a picture earlier of an onion but turned out, that onion was rotted on the bottom so we had to improvise!), salt, parsley and red pepper flakes.
Are you ready??? Now comes the fun part!
Awwwww yeahhhhhh get in there with your paws and mix, mix, mix! And then form golf ball sized meatballs and lay ’em out on a greased baking sheet.
See? Aren’t they so photogenic??
Bake the balls at 375 for twenty minutes. Then, gently drop them into the tomato sauce. Serve with freshly grated Parmesan cheese, egg noodles, spaghetti squash or just plain!
I’m actually transporting these to Almanzo’s in a little bit for football food while we watch his Aggies, but I just had to try one. You know, to make sure they were alright!
I guess they’ll do.
Turkey Meatballs in Homemade Tomato Sauce
Serves 4-6
1.5 lbs ground turkey (lean but not *extra* lean)
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup breadcrumbs
1.5 tsp salt
1 tsp dried oregano
1 28-oz can whole tomatoes in juice
1 large shallot, minced
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
2 cloves garlic, minced
Puree your tomatoes in a food processor or blender until smooth. Pour into a large dutch oven or heavy saucepot and bring to a simmer with the oregano, garlic and a half teaspoon of the salt. Let simmer for about twenty minutes to thicken.
Combine the milk and breadcrumbs in a small bowl and let stand for five minutes.
In a large bowl, combine the turkey, a teaspoon of salt, red pepper flakes, minced shallot and the soaked breadcrumbs. Mix well with your hands and form small balls.
Bake the meatballs at 375 for twenty minutes. Once done, drop into tomato sauce and serve plain or with pasta!
Nicole of Raspberry Stethoscope
September 30, 2010 at 5:05 pmOn Twitter, you made it sound like you shaved your head, lol. It looks great!
Evan Thomas
September 30, 2010 at 5:17 pmYeah, you don’t look like a boy at all! Much better than the crew cut/Demi Moore I was expecting.
Liz @ LBBakes
September 30, 2010 at 5:36 pmLove the cute haircut! Makes me want to chop mine!
GirlOverboard
September 30, 2010 at 5:06 pmYeah, I was expecting a pixie cut. The short hair is super adorable!
Laine
September 30, 2010 at 5:07 pmI was picturing a pixie! Maybe next time…
Becca@ Start Over From Scratch
September 30, 2010 at 5:10 pmMeatballs look amazing! So does your hair!!!
Shanon
September 30, 2010 at 5:13 pmThe meatballs look amazing! Almost like the tailgating food we had today but I have to say “GO COWBOYS!” That’s the way we roll in Stillwater, OK! 🙂
Allie (Live Laugh Eat)
September 30, 2010 at 5:15 pmYour hair is gorgeous!! As are those meatballs.
Jessica @ The Process of Healing
September 30, 2010 at 5:17 pmLOVE LOVE LOVE your hair!!!!!!!
(The meatballs don’t sound half bad either 😉 )
Meredith @ An Epic Change
September 30, 2010 at 5:17 pmJeez I was expecting a super short cut, too!! Very cute. Also, we must be on the same wavelength today (or at least, I’ll flatter myself thinking that) because I was using ground turkey tonight in picadillo. And, for Almanzo, HOOK EM HORNS!!! mwahaha.
Jillian @ reshape your life
September 30, 2010 at 5:19 pmYour hair looks amazing! And so do those meatballs. 🙂 hope almanzo likes them!
Janna@Janna's Keeping it Real
September 30, 2010 at 5:19 pmadorable hair!!
Kendra
September 30, 2010 at 5:21 pmI love making meatballs, those ones look really good. I use turkey instead of beef as well.
My grandmother is Native American so I’m not sure what her kitchen should smell like.
Lacey @ Lake Life
September 30, 2010 at 9:22 pmIncense, firewater and peace pipe. Lol my grandparents are full-blood Native American, but their kitchen never actually smelled like anything, lol,
Jasmine @ Eat Move Write
September 30, 2010 at 5:25 pmAW! Cute hair. I think that’s your go-to length. Young, fun, blonde. Perfect.
I really think this recipe looks good. I’ve yet to ever manage to make truly tasty turkey meatballs. How’s that for alliteration? Maybe this recipe will be the winner.
Sana
September 30, 2010 at 5:26 pmOh you are so dramatic! I thought you were bald! You look adorable!!!
Sarah R
September 30, 2010 at 5:27 pmLove the hair! Super super cute! And now I’m craving meatballs.
M
September 30, 2010 at 5:34 pmYou’ve had your hair this length before. It’s definitely not a dramatic difference!
Thetreadmilldiaries
September 30, 2010 at 5:38 pmNothing wrong with a good meatball now and then. I like to make mine with beef but the 96% lean kind. Sooo good. Yours look pretty delish too.
stacey-healthylife
September 30, 2010 at 5:40 pmI love turkey meatballs. I’m going to try this recipe.
Jessica @ How Sweet It Is
September 30, 2010 at 5:40 pmLove your hair!
chelsey @ clean eating chelsey
September 30, 2010 at 5:41 pmLOVING the new ‘do!! It is super cute! My mom always baked her meatballs instead of frying them – actually, I never even knew most people fried theirs until you mentioned it!
Estela @ Weekly Bite
September 30, 2010 at 5:45 pmSuper cute hair 🙂
Kasey
September 30, 2010 at 5:47 pmLove the hair cut!!
Food & Other Things
September 30, 2010 at 5:49 pmTurkey meatballs are a comfort food for me! I’ll have to try this recipe out soon!
eatmovelove
September 30, 2010 at 5:51 pmYeah the hair looks great! I can see what you mean though – it was super long before. You look older now – but in a good way…more chic 🙂
This recipe looks great – I love meatballs. Why not “extra-lean” turkey? Just curious – I’m lucky if I can find Lean around here! Bah.
…and what’s a Dutch Oven?
jenna
September 30, 2010 at 5:56 pmit’s best to have a little fat in there so they don’t get dry!
fittingbackin
September 30, 2010 at 5:51 pmJust found your blog – awesome! This recipe looks great – love the idea of healthifying the meatballs – thanks for sharing!!
Gina
September 30, 2010 at 5:53 pmYour hair looks great!…
and the meatballs sound delicious. Thanks for the recipe =]
Rocio
September 30, 2010 at 5:57 pmYUM!!!! Those meatballs look like they rocked!!!!
Kath
September 30, 2010 at 5:57 pmClearly all onions are rotten
Michelle
September 30, 2010 at 5:58 pmLove the new hair cut!!!!
Erin
September 30, 2010 at 5:59 pmTruthfully, I’m a vegetarian who gets intense meat cravings and this is NOT helping. 😉
Nicole@TheSaltedKitchen
September 30, 2010 at 6:05 pmLOOOOVE your hair… and the meatballs;) You look so sophisticated with the new do!
Jamie @ Food in Real Life
September 30, 2010 at 6:06 pmThe balls look awesome! Totally photogenic, just like you! 🙂
Mary @ stylefyles
September 30, 2010 at 6:10 pmYour hair is pretty. I was just thinking about chopping mine into something very similar. But then I got all confused because I’ve been growing it out and it’s sort of nice to have long hair that actually stays in a ponytail. Ahhhh – decisions!
tina
September 30, 2010 at 6:16 pmlove the hair cut!!! you’ve been cooking SOOO much lately! i wish i had time to too!
Nadia Jaber
September 30, 2010 at 6:25 pmHow much parsley did you use?
Krystina
September 30, 2010 at 6:51 pmYou look beautiful.
Katherine @ Left Coast Contessa
September 30, 2010 at 6:52 pmLove the hair cut!
Page
September 30, 2010 at 6:54 pmMeatballs look DELISH! Thanks for the healthy recipe and your hair looks super cute!!
Lindsay R.
September 30, 2010 at 7:01 pmI have a hair appt in 2 weeks and after growing my hair long for 5 years, I’m looking for something new! And I love yours!! What does the back look like? 🙂
dragonfly180
September 30, 2010 at 7:10 pmyummy! i just made turkey meatballs a few nights ago, but i was doubly bad – i made meatball stroganoff pasta!
Lisa (bakebikeblog)
September 30, 2010 at 7:11 pmoooh yummo! What a tasty dish!
Amy
September 30, 2010 at 7:13 pmI love turkey meatballs– I find they turn out light and moist.
Kelly
September 30, 2010 at 7:13 pmThose meatballs look delicious! And your haircut looks fabulous!
Lacey @ Lake Life
September 30, 2010 at 7:13 pmThose look delicious- and of course you have to try any food you make for your man! It’s a chick rule right? 😉
Liz @ Tip Top Shape
September 30, 2010 at 7:20 pmWho said meatballs were uncool??? They are wrong. Definitely. They look amazing!! Definitely a photogenic food 😀
Kerry
September 30, 2010 at 7:25 pmI can’t believe you made meatballs tonight! I did too but they were the ultimate meatball from esquire or details that my husband demanded I make… They had ricotta and prosciutto they were ridiculous but the garlic bread and apple crisp was even more ridiculous. I hope your meal was great!
Angharad
September 30, 2010 at 7:32 pmOhhh he’s an aggie?! Sad. Just kidding, I care zero about football. I do however care about meatballs. And nice hair. Both are occurring here. #ftw
Jenny
September 30, 2010 at 7:47 pmHey Jenna!! What do you do with all of this leftover delicious looking food?! I’ve been working from home recently and love experimenting with some of the recipes in the blog world and making them my own, but I have gallons of tupperware in the fridge and feel like it’s all going bad. How long can cooked lentils stay in your fridge for ya know??! haha
Suzanne de Cornelia
September 30, 2010 at 7:47 pmYour hair looks beautiful! Very healthy looking. Nice length for fall! Am making prawns, baby bok choy, garlic, butter + red thai curry paste stir fry in a wok–right aft this glass of wine 😉
From #1 cocktail of #1 mixologist in the world per Forbes magazine. They sell more of these at Paris Ritz than anything else:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QtMPVMdkOPI&feature=related
If you’re going to be a sissy–here’s it is in english 😉 hehe
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G6TIL4uD_ww&feature=related
Em - The Lady Pastor
September 30, 2010 at 7:47 pmCute hair!
Cute meatballs!
🙂
Ariffa
September 30, 2010 at 7:58 pmGAH i did the exact same thing to open a can tonight, why can’t can openers be a little thicker skinned? why? oh well, i feel bad ass opening a can with a knife any how.
Moni'sMeals
September 30, 2010 at 8:47 pmNow that is some meat balls!
I LOVE the cut, good call sista. I am envious of your boldness. 😉
Amber K
September 30, 2010 at 8:52 pmYour cute hair almost makes me forgot how much I hate meat. My husband would LOVE this recipe!
Maria @ Oh Healthy Day
September 30, 2010 at 8:52 pmI agree. Meatballs are totally cool. As is your haircut.
Jolene (www.everydayfoodie.ca)
September 30, 2010 at 9:13 pmMeatballs are TOTALLY cool. They are one of my favourite foods EVER.
Hillary [Nutrition Nut on the Run]
September 30, 2010 at 9:19 pmLOVE the hair!
stephanie@Avocado Nation
September 30, 2010 at 9:33 pmYou have got to try cooking the meatballs IN the sauce. Trust me, it’ll change your life. They melt in your mouth when you eat them. I won’t eat my meatballs any other way.
Averie (LoveVeggiesAndYoga)
October 1, 2010 at 2:36 amPer your post yesterday, yes, you did cut a few inches of your blond locks! Looks sassy and cute!
I am not a meatball girl, vegan or real meat or any kind. I just dont like meatballs but I could talk hair forever! I just posted today about my new Brazilian Blowout (hair) not waxing…hah! But anyway, your hair looks great!
🙂
Lauren at KeepItSweet
October 1, 2010 at 3:23 amyour haircut looks great!!
A Teenage Gourmet (Sami)
October 1, 2010 at 4:05 amI love, love, love your blog. The butternut squash pancakes are calling me.
Joelle (The Pancake Girl))
October 1, 2010 at 4:20 amEven thought the name is kind of gross, I love meatballs. 😉 Big italian families are all about them for Pasta Sundays.
CUTE hair! I’m trying to decide if I want to chop my hair or grow it- haircut today!
jenna
October 1, 2010 at 5:08 amcute cute cute hair!!!!!
MyThy as in "Mighty"
October 1, 2010 at 5:09 amCute bob haircut! Perfect for going into fall and winter!
I make my meatballs the same way except I squish a tiny block of mozzarella in them before baking. That way you get a surprise yummy ooeey gooey in every bite! =)
Sarah (Running to Slow Things Down)
October 1, 2010 at 5:30 amThat knife in the can completely freaks me out…haha. But I’m glad you managed to get those tomatoes open, and it looks like it was well worth it for that sauce and meatballs.
Oh, and I love, love, love meatballs. They are totally cool, in my book. 😀
Tina
October 1, 2010 at 5:34 amI want these meatballs in my belly.
How are you!?!?!?!??!
Heather
October 1, 2010 at 6:16 amJenna – I love the new direction you have been working with for the blog. I am glad you are staying true to you, and honestly I like reading your posts 10x more than before. I’m going to be making those meatballs asap. Happy Friday!
Andrea
October 1, 2010 at 6:22 amLove the haircut. And oh, the balls look good too. 🙂
Daisy
October 1, 2010 at 6:55 amandddd your hair looks awesome!
Heather (Heather's Dish)
October 1, 2010 at 7:41 ami love the haircut! so cute 🙂 and meatballs are TOTALLY photogenic! at least yours are 😉
Natalia - a side of simple
October 1, 2010 at 7:45 amLovin’ the new do! Looks great.
Since I found out I’m allergic to gluten I’ve been making meatballs with quick cooking oats instead of panko or regular breadcrumbs. Have you ever heard of that? I definitely recommend the oats! They give them a hearty, nutty taste.
Kelly
October 1, 2010 at 9:34 amYou can also use steel cut oats as the binder and that works well too. I have also done turkey meatballs with gluten-free gingersnaps as the binder. I crush them fine in the food processor…they are so yummy!!!
Rachel @ The Avid Appetite
October 1, 2010 at 8:27 amLove meatballs! Cooked any way, on anything, or by themselves. Yum!
R @ Learning As I Chop
October 1, 2010 at 9:05 amWhat’s wrong with meatballs? They’re versatile, fun and easy to make!
Sarah @ BikingNBaking
October 1, 2010 at 9:26 amI love making meatballs! The first time I tried making them I used my vitamix! It worked but I probably wouldn’t do that ever again!
p.s. Love the haircut!
Kelly
October 1, 2010 at 9:33 amLooks wonderful! Perfect some Aggie football watching. I went to A&M (class of 03) and was sad last night as I watched OSU win in the final seconds of the game…seriously it was a let down..we were so close!!!
The Healthy Apple
October 1, 2010 at 9:41 amMy mouth is watering; you just inspired me to create meatballs tnite! Hehe..have a fabulous weekend!
xo
Allison K
October 1, 2010 at 10:03 amCute hair cut, but why on earth would we say you looked like a boy?!?
Ali @ Food, Fitness, Fashion
October 1, 2010 at 10:08 amI bookmarked this! I can’t wait to make it this week for me and the hubs! He loves turkey meatballs 🙂 So simple and delicious.
Kim (Imperfectly Perfect)
October 1, 2010 at 10:41 amMeatballs and sauce (aka gravy) totally remind me of my grandma. I still remember when I initially started losing all of my weight and I turned down one of my grandma’s meatballs. Hers were fried and definitely not healthy. You’d think I stabbed her in the back from the look of horror on her face. I felt horrible, but sometimes you have to do what you have to do. 😉 Yours look great!
Lisa
October 1, 2010 at 10:55 amThat looks really good. Our recent attempt at meatballs was a little lackluster.
Jil
October 1, 2010 at 12:01 pmCute haircut!!
Rachel Wilkerson
October 1, 2010 at 1:22 pmSO glad I have some ground turkey in my fridge, just waiting to be turned into meatballs! This sounds delicious!!
Kelly
October 1, 2010 at 5:23 pmWow just made these meatballs and sauce for my family and they were a hit. So easy and yet so yummy. I added parsley because I saw in the picture you did as well ,but not in the recipe.. Thank you so much this reciepe is a keeper.
Gracie
October 1, 2010 at 7:00 pmyour new haircut looks adorable! Anyhow, I tried the recipe, and the meatballs seems alittle soft? I’m not sure. hahaha, will try with maybe a little less milk and homemade breadcrumbs instead of panko next time.
Thanks for the recipe and the pictures are beyond gorgeous!
Gracie
Jessica
October 2, 2010 at 5:38 amThose look super yummy!! (and your new haircut is super cute!)
AllieNic @ Frisky Lemon
October 2, 2010 at 10:51 amum…meatballs are uncool? Then I must be uncool…because I loves me some meatballs…
My boyfriend’s mom makes old school meatballs in sauce every once in a while and they are the BEST! I probably eat about five of them every time she makes them.
Marie
October 2, 2010 at 9:37 pmYour haircut looks so good! 🙂 It makes me want to cut mine shorter!
Teresa @ vinogals
October 3, 2010 at 5:41 pmI made these turkey meatballs tonight and my husband and I loved them! I had them over spaghetti squash and my husband used pasta. Mmmmm. It was a great home cooked meal for a fall Sunday night. Thanks! Now back to watching NFL.
helly
October 4, 2010 at 2:58 pmmy gma was also norsk 😉 would love to see a holiday post with norwegian christmas treats like sandkake or krumkake! my mom bakes about 50 loaves of julekake every year at christmastime. so tasty! love the cardamom. (just searched your site and saw the post where you made the lucia buns; very cool!)
Danielle
October 6, 2010 at 11:04 amThanks for the recipe! i’m making these tonight!
daily routines — Eat, Live, Run
November 17, 2010 at 5:31 pm[…] six o’clock and I’ll throw together something simple for dinner like channa masala, turkey meatballs in marinara sauce, rice noodle bowls with peanut sauce and tofu, or linguine and clams. Wine is a must. Almanzo and I […]
Lori
December 30, 2010 at 6:22 amMaking these tonight!
Heidi - Apples Under My Bed
January 6, 2011 at 5:57 pmmmmm I LOVE meatballs! & I agree, so very photogenic.
Heidi xo
karen
January 7, 2011 at 8:15 pmI’m the only one who goes out to dinner and orders spaghetti and meatballs, or so I thought….must try this recipe for my super bowl party.
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rach
May 17, 2012 at 7:47 pmMade this today. Super-easy. Extra-delicious cold, straight out of the fridge!!!!!!!!
Karen
May 19, 2012 at 4:47 amWhen I read you had a Vitamix I got excited! I just got my Vitamix last week and I think I’ve used it like three times a day since I got it. It was worth every penny.
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Elizabeth
April 4, 2014 at 1:02 pmHow much parsley do you recommend? I noticed that it’s not listed in the ingredients but I see it in the pictures. Thanks! You are my cooking guru!
mary dowdy
August 1, 2014 at 3:20 pmHi how much parsley? You hve dried oregenonin the ingredient list but in the picture fresh parsley. Do you use both?