Imagine tender, savory meatballs basking in a rich, velvety sauce that effortlessly brings everyone to the table. That’s the irresistible charm of these Creamy Turkey Meatballs. This is one of those comfort foods that feels like a warm hug – cozy enough for busy weeknights, yet impressive for a dinner with friends. The turkey stays moist and flavorful, while the creamy sauce ties everything together with just a touch of elegance. Whether you’re serving these over pillowy mashed potatoes, pasta, or rustic rice, this dish guarantees smiles and second helpings.

Creamy Turkey Meatballs Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of this recipe is in its simplicity — each ingredient shines, adding its own unique nuance, whether it’s a pop of savory cheese or a hint of aromatic thyme. Gather these easy-to-find elements, and you’re halfway to a cozy dinner that everyone will adore.

Ground Turkey: Lean and mild, turkey soaks up all the flavors, keeping these meatballs moist and hearty.
Breadcrumbs: Just a quarter cup is all you need for tender, never-dense meatballs.
Egg: This binds everything together, so your meatballs keep their perfect shape.
Garlic (minced): Aromatic and bold, just a little brings irresistible depth to every bite.
Grated Parmesan Cheese: Adds a rich, salty sparkle and helps the meatballs brown beautifully.
Onion Powder: All the savoriness of onion, with no chopping required.
Salt: Essential for coaxing out every bit of flavor from the turkey.
Black Pepper: A little pepper is the secret to balanced, savory warmth.
Olive Oil: Perfect for browning the meatballs and adding a touch of richness.
Butter: Makes the sauce ultra-silky and adds buttery flavor notes.
All-Purpose Flour: Helps thicken the sauce to luscious perfection.
Chicken Broth: The base of that creamy sauce, delivering savory depth.
Heavy Cream: For luxurious, velvety texture in every spoonful of sauce.
Dried Thyme: Adds a gentle herbal background that complements the turkey.
Dijon Mustard (optional): A tiny spoonful adds tangy complexity to the sauce.
Chopped Parsley (for garnish): Bright and fresh, it’s the finishing touch that makes everything pop.

How to Make Creamy Turkey Meatballs

Step 1: Mix and Shape the Meatballs

In a large mixing bowl, add the ground turkey, breadcrumbs, egg, minced garlic, grated Parmesan cheese, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Gently use your hands or a sturdy spoon to combine everything until just mixed—you want it all to come together without overworking the mixture. Then, shape into 1-inch meatballs (about the size of a ping-pong ball), setting them aside on a plate or tray as you go.

Step 2: Brown the Meatballs

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the meatballs in a single layer (work in batches if needed), and cook for 6 to 8 minutes. Turn them occasionally so they brown beautifully on all sides and cook through completely. They’ll be golden and irresistible when ready. Transfer them to a plate and set aside—you’ll add them back in later for that magical finish.

Step 3: Make the Creamy Sauce

Without cleaning the skillet (those browned bits add tons of flavor!), melt the butter right into the pan. Sprinkle in the flour and whisk constantly for about a minute to create a smooth paste, which will help thicken your sauce. Slowly pour in the chicken broth while whisking, watching the sauce turn silky. Add the heavy cream, dried thyme, and Dijon mustard (if you’re using it). Let the sauce simmer gently for 3 to 5 minutes, until it thickens to perfect creaminess.

Step 4: Coat the Meatballs and Simmer

Once the sauce has thickened, nestle those golden meatballs back into the skillet. Spoon the sauce over each one, ensuring every bite gets cloaked in creamy goodness. Simmer everything together for another 2 to 3 minutes, so the flavors truly marry and the meatballs heat through. Right before serving, sprinkle liberally with freshly chopped parsley. Voilà! The Creamy Turkey Meatballs are ready for their grand debut.

How to Serve Creamy Turkey Meatballs

Garnishes

Don’t skip the garnishes—they take these Creamy Turkey Meatballs from great to utterly show-stopping. A shower of bright, chopped parsley is classic, but you can also add a flurry of extra Parmesan, a sprinkle of cracked black pepper, or even a drizzle of good olive oil for shine.

Side Dishes

These meatballs are born for cozy sides. They’re magical over a bed of buttery mashed potatoes, noodles, or fluffy rice—perfect for capturing every last drop of that delicious sauce. Add a crisp green salad or roasted veggies, and you’ve got a beautiful, well-rounded meal.

Creative Ways to Present

Lean into the comfort food vibes and pile the Creamy Turkey Meatballs into a serving platter, letting everyone help themselves. For parties, serve them as cocktail meatballs (just shrink them a bit!) with toothpicks and extra sauce for dipping. Or, try tucking them into toasted buns for a decadent, saucy meatball sub.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If fortune smiles and you end up with leftovers, you’ll be delighted to know that these Creamy Turkey Meatballs keep beautifully. Simply pop them into an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days—the flavors get even better overnight!

Freezing

The meatballs freeze wonderfully on their own: arrange cooked (and fully cooled) meatballs on a baking tray, freeze until solid, then transfer to a zip-top bag. Sauce can be frozen separately in an airtight container. When ready to enjoy, thaw overnight in the fridge for best results.

Reheating

Gently reheat the meatballs and sauce on the stovetop over low heat, stirring and adding a splash of broth or cream if the sauce seems a bit thick. For an all-in-one meal, place them in a casserole dish, cover with foil, and warm in a 325°F oven until everything is hot and bubbly.

FAQs

Can I use ground chicken instead of turkey?

Absolutely! Ground chicken works just as beautifully as turkey here, creating delightfully tender meatballs with a subtly different flavor. Just be sure to keep an eye on the cooking time, as chicken may cook a little faster.

Is it possible to make these Creamy Turkey Meatballs gluten-free?

Yes—substitute gluten-free breadcrumbs and flour, and double-check your chicken broth label. The results will be just as creamy and satisfying as the classic version.

Can I lighten up the creamy sauce?

If you’re looking to trim things down, swap the heavy cream for half-and-half, whole milk, or even a dollop of Greek yogurt. The sauce will still have plenty of lusciousness, just a tad lighter in texture.

What’s the best way to keep the meatballs from getting tough?

Gentle mixing is key! Be careful not to overwork the turkey mixture, and don’t pack the meatballs too tightly when shaping. This ensures each bite stays juicy and soft.

Can I make Creamy Turkey Meatballs ahead for a party?

Definitely. Prepare and brown the meatballs and make the sauce a day in advance. Just before guests arrive, combine everything in a gently warmed skillet or slow cooker to reheat—the flavors deepen and get even better with time.

Final Thoughts

There’s something pretty special about these Creamy Turkey Meatballs—they’re simple, heartwarming, and truly crowd-pleasing. Whether you’re making them for family or friends, I hope you’ll love them as much as I do and find them an instant new favorite in your kitchen. Don’t be surprised if someone asks for seconds (or the recipe) before they’ve even finished their plate!

Creamy Turkey Meatballs Recipe

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4.7 from 14 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 35 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Diet: Non-Vegetarian

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Description

Creamy Turkey Meatballs are a delicious and comforting dish that is perfect for a cozy dinner. These tender turkey meatballs are cooked in a creamy sauce that is rich and flavorful. Serve them over mashed potatoes, pasta, or rice for a satisfying meal that the whole family will love.

Ingredients

Scale

For the meatballs:

1 pound ground turkey
1/4 cup breadcrumbs
1 egg
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 tablespoon olive oil

For the sauce:

2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups chicken broth
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
1/4 teaspoon Dijon mustard (optional)
Chopped parsley for garnish

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Instructions

Prepare the meatballs: In a large bowl, combine ground turkey, breadcrumbs, egg, garlic, Parmesan, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Form into 1-inch meatballs.
Cook the meatballs: Heat olive oil in a skillet, cook meatballs until browned and cooked through. Set aside.
Make the sauce: Melt butter in the skillet, whisk in flour, then slowly whisk in chicken broth. Stir in cream, thyme, and mustard. Simmer until thickened.
Combine and simmer: Return meatballs to the skillet, coat in sauce, and simmer. Garnish with parsley before serving.