Tastes Like Thanksgiving Meatballs are savory turkey meatballs with all the comforting flavors of Thanksgiving inside. Made with ground turkey, tangy cranberry sauce, and the familiar warmth of herb-seasoned stuffing, Thanksgiving meatballs perfectly capture the holiday vibe in every bite, giving a fun twist to classic flavors.
Love Thanksgiving? Try these Thanksgiving’ish Calzones too!
Ingredients
- Ground turkey: Provides the main protein base for the meatballs. Extra-lean ground turkey from breast meat (99%) has a tendency to be drier, so you may want to select the 93% lean ground turkey which contains some dark meat.
- Egg: Acts as a binder, helping to hold the meatball mixture together.
- Cranberry sauce (jellied or whole berry): Adds tanginess and a hint of sweetness to complement the savory flavors.
- Black pepper: Enhances the overall flavor profile with its mild heat and pungency.
- Herb-seasoned stuffing mix: Adds texture, flavor, and seasoning to the meatball mixture.
- Roasted turkey gravy: Serves as a rich and savory sauce to complement the meatballs and noodles.
- Egg noodles: Provides a hearty base for serving the meatballs and gravy, offering a comforting and filling meal.
Directions
Step 1: Spray a foil-lined baking sheet with cooking spray. Combine ground turkey, egg, cranberry sauce, black pepper, and herb-seasoned stuffing mix in a large bowl.
Step 2: Form into 1-inch meatballs and place on prepared baking sheet.
Step 4: Bake the meatballs for 20-25 minutes.
Step 5: While the Thanksgiving meatballs are baking, add the turkey gravy to a skillet and heat on low. Prepare the noodles as directed on the package, timing them to finish cooking when the meatballs are ready. Add the turkey meatballs to the turkey gravy and gently let them simmer until ready to serve.
Serve those delicious meatballs on top of a bed of egg noodles, and add some cranberry sauce on the side for an extra pop of flavor.
Recipe Tips
- Mixing ingredients: When blending the turkey, egg, cranberry sauce, pepper, and stuffing mix, mix until combined, but try not to overmix. Nobody likes dense meatballs!
- More or less stuffing mix: The amount of herb-seasoned stuffing mix in your turkey meatball recipe, can vary based on the moisture content of the other ingredients and personal preference. Start with the recommended amount, but feel free to add more if the mixture seems too wet. (Mine varies quite a bit according to which stuffing mix I decide to use.)
- Experiment with seasonings: Don’t be afraid to get creative with your seasonings! Add fresh herbs like parsley, thyme, or sage to the meatball mixture for an extra burst of flavor.
- Add moisture: Ground turkey can sometimes be dry, so consider adding ingredients like grated onion, grated zucchini, or even a splash of chicken broth to the meatball mixture to keep them moist and flavorful.
- Keep ’em consistent: Keep your meatballs around the same size so they cook up evenly. You can use a cookie scoop or, like me—eyeball it.
- Prevent sticking: To prevent your meatballs from sticking to the pan or baking sheet, lightly grease them with cooking spray before cooking. Meatballs are notorious for sticking!
- Adjust cooking time: The cooking time for turkey meatballs can vary depending on their size and the cooking method used. Always check for doneness by cutting into a meatball or using a meat thermometer to ensure they reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Noodle prep: To keep noodles from getting sticky before serving, a little toss with some butter or olive oil will keep them moist.
Recipe Substitutions and FAQ
These meatballs pair well with a variety of side dishes such as mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, green beans, or a simple side salad.
Sure! Simply shape the meatballs, place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, and freeze until solid. Then transfer them to a freezer bag or container for storage, then bake according to recipe directions.
Of course! Use your favorite type of pasta such as spaghetti, fettuccine, or penne instead of egg noodles. Cook the pasta according to package instructions before serving with the meatballs and gravy.
Absolutely! Homemade gravy can add a delicious homemade touch to the recipe.
While cranberry sauce adds a unique flavor to the meatballs, you can substitute it with a tangy fruit preserve or chutney for a similar sweet and tart taste.
Yes, ground chicken can be used as a substitute for ground turkey in this recipe. However, keep in mind that the flavor and texture may vary slightly.
Tastes Like Thanksgiving Meatballs
Ingredients
- 1 lb. ground turkey
- 1 egg
- ¼ cup cranberry sauce jellied or whole berry
- ½ tsp. black pepper
- 1½-2½ cups herb seasoned stuffing mix adjust as needed
- 2 12 oz jars roasted turkey gravy
- 16 oz egg noodles
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350℉.
- In large mixing bowl, combine turkey, egg, cranberry sauce, pepper and stuffing mix. Form into 1-inch balls. Place on foil-lined cookie sheet. Bake 20-25 minutes.
- While meatballs are baking, put gravy in a large skillet and heat on low. When meatballs are done, add to gravy. Cover; simmer on low heat until ready to serve.
- Cook egg noodles according to package directions; drain. Spoon meatballs over meatballs to serve. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and serve with extra cranberry sauce, if desired.
Notes
- Mixing ingredients: When blending the turkey, egg, cranberry sauce, pepper, and stuffing mix, mix until combined, but try not to overmix. Nobody likes dense meatballs!
- More or less stuffing mix: The amount of herb-seasoned stuffing mix in your turkey meatball recipe, can vary based on the moisture content of the other ingredients and personal preference. Start with the recommended amount, but feel free to add more if the mixture seems too wet. (Mine varies quite a bit according to which stuffing mix I decide to use.)
- Experiment with seasonings: Don’t be afraid to get creative with your seasonings! Add fresh herbs like parsley, thyme, or sage to the meatball mixture for an extra burst of flavor.
- Add moisture: Ground turkey can sometimes be dry, so consider adding ingredients like grated onion, grated zucchini, or even a splash of chicken broth to the meatball mixture to keep them moist and flavorful.
- Keep ’em consistent: Keep your meatballs around the same size so they cook up evenly. You can use a cookie scoop or, like me—eyeball it.
- Prevent sticking: To prevent your meatballs from sticking to the pan or baking sheet, lightly grease them with cooking spray before cooking. Meatballs are notorious for sticking!
- Adjust cooking time: The cooking time for turkey meatballs can vary depending on their size and the cooking method used. Always check for doneness by cutting into a meatball or using a meat thermometer to ensure they reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Noodle prep: To keep noodles from getting sticky before serving, a little toss with some butter or olive oil will keep them moist.
Leave a Reply