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!
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{ 98 comments… read them below or add one }
On Twitter, you made it sound like you shaved your head, lol. It looks great!
Yeah, you don’t look like a boy at all! Much better than the crew cut/Demi Moore I was expecting.
Love the cute haircut! Makes me want to chop mine!
Yeah, I was expecting a pixie cut. The short hair is super adorable!
I was picturing a pixie! Maybe next time…
Meatballs look amazing! So does your hair!!!
The 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!
Your hair is gorgeous!! As are those meatballs.
LOVE LOVE LOVE your hair!!!!!!!
)
(The meatballs don’t sound half bad either
Jeez 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.
Your hair looks amazing! And so do those meatballs.
hope almanzo likes them!
adorable hair!!
I 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.
Incense, firewater and peace pipe. Lol my grandparents are full-blood Native American, but their kitchen never actually smelled like anything, lol,
AW! 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.
Oh you are so dramatic! I thought you were bald! You look adorable!!!
Love the hair! Super super cute! And now I’m craving meatballs.
You’ve had your hair this length before. It’s definitely not a dramatic difference!
Nothing 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.
I love turkey meatballs. I’m going to try this recipe.
Love your hair!
LOVING 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!
Super cute hair
Love the hair cut!!
Turkey meatballs are a comfort food for me! I’ll have to try this recipe out soon!
Yeah 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?
it’s best to have a little fat in there so they don’t get dry!
Just found your blog – awesome! This recipe looks great – love the idea of healthifying the meatballs – thanks for sharing!!
Your hair looks great!…
and the meatballs sound delicious. Thanks for the recipe =]
YUM!!!! Those meatballs look like they rocked!!!!
Clearly all onions are rotten
Love the new hair cut!!!!
Truthfully, I’m a vegetarian who gets intense meat cravings and this is NOT helping.
LOOOOVE your hair… and the meatballs;) You look so sophisticated with the new do!
The balls look awesome! Totally photogenic, just like you!
Your 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!
love the hair cut!!! you’ve been cooking SOOO much lately! i wish i had time to too!
How much parsley did you use?
You look beautiful.
Love the hair cut!
Meatballs look DELISH! Thanks for the healthy recipe and your hair looks super cute!!
I 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?
yummy! i just made turkey meatballs a few nights ago, but i was doubly bad – i made meatball stroganoff pasta!
oooh yummo! What a tasty dish!
I love turkey meatballs– I find they turn out light and moist.
Those meatballs look delicious! And your haircut looks fabulous!
Those look delicious- and of course you have to try any food you make for your man! It’s a chick rule right?
Who said meatballs were uncool??? They are wrong. Definitely. They look amazing!! Definitely a photogenic food
I 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!
Ohhh 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
Hey 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
Your 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
Cute hair!
Cute meatballs!
GAH 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.
Now that is some meat balls!
I LOVE the cut, good call sista. I am envious of your boldness.
Your cute hair almost makes me forgot how much I hate meat. My husband would LOVE this recipe!
I agree. Meatballs are totally cool. As is your haircut.
Meatballs are TOTALLY cool. They are one of my favourite foods EVER.
LOVE the hair!
You 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.
Per 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!
your haircut looks great!!
I love, love, love your blog. The butternut squash pancakes are calling me.
Even 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!
cute cute cute hair!!!!!
Cute 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! =)
That 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.
I want these meatballs in my belly.
How are you!?!?!?!??!
Jenna – 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!
Love the haircut. And oh, the balls look good too.
andddd your hair looks awesome!
i love the haircut! so cute
and meatballs are TOTALLY photogenic! at least yours are 
Lovin’ 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.
You 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!!!
Love meatballs! Cooked any way, on anything, or by themselves. Yum!
What’s wrong with meatballs? They’re versatile, fun and easy to make!
I 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!
Looks 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!!!
My mouth is watering; you just inspired me to create meatballs tnite! Hehe..have a fabulous weekend!
xo
Cute hair cut, but why on earth would we say you looked like a boy?!?
I bookmarked this! I can’t wait to make it this week for me and the hubs! He loves turkey meatballs
So simple and delicious.
Meatballs 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!
That looks really good. Our recent attempt at meatballs was a little lackluster.
Cute haircut!!
SO glad I have some ground turkey in my fridge, just waiting to be turned into meatballs! This sounds delicious!!
Wow 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.
your 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
Those look super yummy!! (and your new haircut is super cute!)
um…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.
Your haircut looks so good!
It makes me want to cut mine shorter!
I 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.
my 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!)
Thanks for the recipe! i’m making these tonight!
Making these tonight!
mmmm I LOVE meatballs! & I agree, so very photogenic.
Heidi xo
I’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.
Made this today. Super-easy. Extra-delicious cold, straight out of the fridge!!!!!!!!
When 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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