Pizza Meatballs with Turkey

Pizza meatballs take me back to my mom’s kitchen. Oh, how I loved ooey-gooey pizza meatball night.

Now, as a mom and a creative force in the kitchen, I wanted to share pizza meatballs with my family. But the old recipe needed a health makeover.

I’ve punched up the flavor and tossed away the beefy fat that left those bad-for-you grease pools in the pan.

My pizza meatballs are made with lean ground turkey, part-skim mozzarella and are still a huge hit with kids and adults of all ages.

Ingredients List

Olive oil cooking spray

20 oz ground turkey breast (7% fat)

1 jar fat-free marinara, divided (Newman’s Own is my brand of choice)

1/2 cup Italian-seasoned bread crumbs

3/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese, divided

1/2 cup finely chopped onion

1 tsp garlic powder

1/2 tsp dried basil

1/2 tsp dried oregano

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp black peper

1 large egg

1/2 cup shredded mozzarella*

3 part-skim mozzarella cheese sticks, cut into 1/2 inch pieces*

• *Or get a ball of mozzarella to shred and cube yourself.

Serves 4-6

Method

Preheat oven to 350ºF.

Spray 9×13 inch baking pan with oil.

Combine ground turkey, 1/2 cup marinara, breadcrumbs, 1/2 cup of the Parmesan and seasonings in a large bowl.

Shape the turkey mixture into 1 1/2 inch balls. When each ball is formed, stuff one mozzarella cube into middle of each ball, reshape the meatball and place it  in the 9×13 inch pan.

When all of the meatballs are formed and in the pan, pour the remaining marinara evenly over the top of the meatballs.

Bake, uncovered, at 375ºF for 35 minutes. Remove pan from oven, top the meatballs with shredded mozzarella cheese and remaining Parmesan. Return meatballs to oven for 5 more minutes.

Serve the meatballs hot with your favorite crusty bread.