Description
These Lemon Herb Meatballs are a flavorful and healthy twist on traditional meatballs, combining ground turkey with fresh herbs, lemon zest, and Parmesan cheese. Baked to perfection, they offer a light yet satisfying meal, perfect served over rice, quinoa, or alongside fresh greens with a basil vinaigrette.
Ingredients
Meatballs
- 1 lb ground turkey (or ground chicken)
- 3/4 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup cottage cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 large egg
- 1 shallot, minced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped parsley
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped basil
- Zest of 1 lemon
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
To Serve
- Rice or quinoa
- Arugula or mixed greens
- Basil vinaigrette
- Additional grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and for easy cleanup.
- Mix Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the ground turkey, panko, cottage cheese, Parmesan cheese, egg, minced shallot, garlic, parsley, basil, lemon zest, kosher salt, and crushed red pepper flakes. Mix thoroughly using your hands or a spoon until the ingredients are evenly distributed.
- Shape Meatballs: Use an ice cream scoop or a large cookie scoop to portion out about two tablespoons of the mixture. Roll each portion into a ball with your hands and place them on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow even cooking.
- Bake: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake the meatballs for 18 to 22 minutes. About halfway through baking, flip the meatballs to ensure they brown evenly and cook through.
- Serve: Once cooked, serve the meatballs hot over cooked rice or quinoa. Accompany them with arugula or your choice of greens, drizzle with basil vinaigrette, and sprinkle with additional Parmesan cheese. These meatballs also make a great filling for pita, a topping for pasta, or a side for roasted vegetables and potatoes.
Notes
- Ground chicken can be used as a substitute for ground turkey with similar results.
- Make sure to flip the meatballs halfway through baking to promote even cooking and browning.
- Panko breadcrumbs help keep the meatballs light and tender.
- Adjust crushed red pepper flakes to your preferred level of spiciness.
- Leftover meatballs can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 1 month.
