Description
These Lemon Herb Meatballs combine ground turkey with fresh herbs, lemon zest, and Parmesan cheese for a bright, flavorful dish. Baked to perfection, these meatballs are versatile and pair wonderfully with rice, quinoa, or fresh greens drizzled with basil vinaigrette. A healthy, protein-rich meal perfect for a quick weeknight dinner.
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 greens
- Basil vinaigrette
- Additional Parmesan cheese for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
- Prepare Meatball Mixture: In a large bowl, combine the ground turkey, panko breadcrumbs, cottage cheese, grated Parmesan, egg, minced shallot, minced garlic, parsley, basil, lemon zest, kosher salt, and crushed red pepper flakes. Mix thoroughly with your hands or a spoon until everything is evenly blended.
- Form Meatballs: Using an ice cream scoop or large cookie scoop, portion about two tablespoons of the mixture. Roll each portion between your palms to form smooth, even meatballs. Place them spaced about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake Meatballs: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake the meatballs for 18 to 22 minutes. Flip them halfway through the cooking time to ensure even browning and thorough cooking.
- Serve: Serve the baked meatballs warm alongside cooked rice or quinoa, fresh arugula or greens, and drizzle with basil vinaigrette. Sprinkle additional Parmesan cheese on top if desired. These meatballs can also be enjoyed with pasta, inside pita bread, or with roasted vegetables and potatoes.
Notes
- You can substitute ground turkey with ground chicken if preferred.
- Make sure not to overcrowd the meatballs on the baking sheet to allow even cooking.
- If you don’t have panko, regular breadcrumbs can be used, but panko adds a lighter texture.
- Basil vinaigrette can be prepared ahead of time or store-bought can be used for convenience.
- Flip the meatballs halfway during baking to promote even cooking and browning.
- These meatballs freeze well cooked; reheat in the oven or microwave.
