Recipe for easy turkey meatballs and the secret to adding delicious flavor and moisture to turkey meatballs -- bacon paste! Learn the trick to amazing meatballs for your favorite pasta dish.
2slicesthick cut bacon, (peppered bacon works well)
1package ground turkey, (approx 1.25 lbs)
1egg
1large garlic clove, finely minced
¼cuponion, finely diced (about ½ medium onion)
⅓cupPecorino Romano or Parmesan cheese, finely shredded
½cupPanko crumbs, or ¼ cup regular bread crumbs
½teaspoonred pepper flakes
½teaspoonsalt
½teaspoonground pepper
Instructions
Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
Place the bacon in a food processor and pulse it a few times until it turns into a paste. Transfer to a large bowl.
Add all other ingredients and gently combine together being careful to not overwork the meat. Roll into golf ball sized balls and place onto a large foil lined baking sheet. Bake 15-10 minutes, or until internal temperature of the meatballs reads at least 165 degrees.
Store for later, or combine with favorite red sauce for spaghetti and meatballs.
Notes
This is for the basic recipe. Feel free to add additional seasonings (like oregano, basil, marjoram, etc.) to the recipe as you see fit.Alternative cooking methods:Frying: Heat oil in a large skillet and fry the balls for 5-6 minutes (depending on size), until internal temperature reaches 165. Then transfer to the sauce to combine.To Smoke: Preheat smoker to 250 degrees F. Place meatballs (on a foil lined baking sheet or directly on grates) on smoker until internal temperature reads 165 degrees on a thermometer.