Turkey Meatballs Casserole
Tired of boring weeknight dinners? I get it. You want something comforting and delicious that doesn’t take all night to make.
You need a meal that feels like a big hug in a bowl.
This turkey meatball casserole is exactly that. It’s cheesy, saucy, and so easy to put together. Let’s get cooking.
What You’ll Need
Here’s what you need to grab from the store. I’ve broken it down for the meatballs and the rest of the casserole to keep things simple.
For the Turkey Meatballs:
- 1 pound ground turkey (93/7 is best)
- 1/2 cup Italian-style breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 large egg, beaten
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, for frying
For the Casserole:
- 1 jar (24 ounces) of your favorite marinara sauce
- 8 ounces of pasta, like rotini or penne
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded provolone cheese
- Fresh basil or parsley for garnish (optional)
The Tools for the Job
You don’t need any fancy kitchen gadgets for this one.
Just grab these basics:
- A large mixing bowl
- A large skillet
- A 9×13 inch baking dish
- A pot for boiling pasta
- A spatula or wooden spoon
Pro Tips from My Kitchen
I’ve made a lot of meatballs in my day. Here are a few secrets I’ve learned that make a huge difference.
Don’t Overmix the Meat
When you mix the ground turkey with the other ingredients, be gentle. Mix just until everything is combined. Overworking the meat will make your meatballs tough and rubbery.
Wet Your Hands
Before you start rolling, dampen your hands with a little water. This simple trick keeps the meat mixture from sticking to your palms. You’ll get perfectly round meatballs every time.
Get a Good Sear
Don’t skip browning the meatballs in a skillet before they go in the casserole. This step creates a delicious, caramelized crust that adds a ton of flavor. It also helps them hold their shape during baking.
Easy Steps to Make Turkey Meatball Casserole
Follow these steps and you’ll have a perfect casserole ready for the oven.
Step 1: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Cook your pasta according to the package directions, but cook it for 2 minutes less than the recommended time. It will finish cooking in the oven.
Step 2: While the pasta cooks, make the meatballs. In a large bowl, gently mix the ground turkey, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, egg, oregano, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
Step 3: Use your wet hands to roll the mixture into 1-inch meatballs. You should get about 15 to 20 of them.
Step 4: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Carefully place the meatballs in the skillet and brown them on all sides. They don’t need to be cooked through, just browned on the outside.
Step 5: Drain the cooked pasta and spread it evenly in the bottom of your 9×13 inch baking dish.
Step 6: Pour half of the marinara sauce over the pasta. Arrange the browned meatballs on top of the saucy pasta.
Step 7: Pour the remaining marinara sauce over the meatballs. Make sure everything is nicely coated.
Step 8: Sprinkle the mozzarella and provolone cheese evenly over the top.
Step 9: Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly golden. Let it rest for a few minutes before serving.
Possible Changes and Fun Twists
This recipe is great as is, but feel free to play around with it.
| Item to Swap | Substitution Idea | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Ground Turkey | Ground Chicken | Lighter flavor |
| Ground Turkey | Lean Ground Beef | Richer taste |
| Pasta | Zucchini Noodles | Low-carb option |
| Mozzarella | Fontina Cheese | Extra creamy |
Add Some Veggies
You can easily sneak in some vegetables. Try adding a cup of chopped spinach, sautéed mushrooms, or diced bell peppers to the sauce.
Spice It Up
If you like a little heat, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to your meatball mixture or use a spicy arrabbiata sauce.
Making It Ahead of Time
This is a great dish to prep in advance.
- One Day Ahead: You can assemble the entire casserole without baking it. Cover it tightly with plastic wrap and store it in the fridge. You may need to add 5-10 minutes to the baking time.
- Freezing: You can freeze the unbaked casserole for up to 3 months. Thaw it in the fridge overnight before baking.
Nutrition and Diet Swaps
Want to fit this into a specific diet? No problem. Here are a few simple swaps.
| Diet | Swap This | For This |
|---|---|---|
| Gluten-Free | Breadcrumbs | GF Breadcrumbs |
| Gluten-Free | Pasta | GF Pasta |
| Low-Carb | Breadcrumbs | Almond Flour |
| Low-Carb | Pasta | Zucchini Noodles |
| Dairy-Free | Cheese | Dairy-Free Cheese |
A note on nutrition: This is just an estimate. The actual numbers will change based on the specific ingredients you use.
A single serving has about 450 calories, 35 grams of protein, and 40 grams of carbs.
What to Serve With It
This casserole is a meal in itself, but a simple side dish can complete it.
A fresh green salad with a simple vinaigrette is a perfect match. Some warm garlic bread is also great for soaking up that extra sauce. For a green veggie, try some simple roasted broccoli or green beans.
Storing and Reheating Leftovers
Leftovers are one of the best parts of a good casserole.
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
To reheat, you can use the microwave, but the oven is better. Place the leftovers in an oven-safe dish, cover with foil, and bake at 350°F (175°C) until warmed through. This keeps the cheese from getting rubbery.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Can I use frozen meatballs to save time?
Ans: Yes, you can. For the best results, thaw them in the fridge first. If you bake them from frozen, you’ll need to add about 15-20 minutes to the baking time.
Q2. My meatballs came out dry. What did I do wrong?
Ans: This usually happens for two reasons. You either used ground turkey that was too lean (like 99% lean), or you overmixed the meat. Stick with 93/7 ground turkey and mix just until combined.
Q3. Can I make this casserole without the pasta?
Ans: Absolutely. It will be more of a baked meatball dish. Serve it over zucchini noodles, spaghetti squash, or just with a side of roasted vegetables for a great low-carb meal.
Wrapping Up
There you have it. A simple, delicious turkey meatball casserole that the whole family will love. It’s proof that you don’t need complicated recipes to make amazing food.
Give it a try this week.
I’d love to hear how it turns out for you. Leave a comment below and let me know if you made any fun changes
