Easy Turkey Meatballs Pumpkin Sage (Print View)

Juicy turkey balls in a creamy pumpkin sage sauce, perfect for cozy, flavorful dinners.

# Components:

→ Turkey Meatballs

01 - 1 lb ground turkey
02 - 1 large egg
03 - ½ cup breadcrumbs (gluten-free if desired)
04 - ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
05 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
06 - 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (or 1 tbsp dried)
07 - ½ tsp salt
08 - ¼ tsp black pepper
09 - 2 tbsp milk

→ Pumpkin Sage Sauce

10 - 1 tbsp olive oil
11 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
12 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
13 - 1¾ cups pumpkin purée (canned or homemade)
14 - 1 cup chicken or vegetable broth
15 - ½ cup heavy cream
16 - 1½ tsp fresh sage, finely chopped (or ½ tsp dried)
17 - ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
18 - Salt and black pepper, to taste
19 - 2 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese

# Preparation Steps:

01 - Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - In a large bowl, combine ground turkey, egg, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, garlic, parsley, salt, pepper, and milk. Mix gently until just combined to avoid toughness.
03 - Shape the mixture into 16 to 18 small meatballs and arrange them evenly on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 15 to 18 minutes, until golden and fully cooked.
04 - While meatballs bake, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion and sauté until softened, about 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds.
05 - Add pumpkin purée, broth, cream, sage, nutmeg, salt, and pepper to the skillet. Stir to combine and simmer gently for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally until the sauce thickens slightly.
06 - Stir grated Parmesan into the sauce. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
07 - Add the baked meatballs into the sauce and simmer together for 2 to 3 minutes to meld flavors and warm through.
08 - Serve immediately, optionally garnished with extra sage leaves or Parmesan cheese.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Easy and quick to prepare
  • Perfect for a cozy autumn meal
02 -
  • Use gluten-free breadcrumbs to keep the dish gluten-free.
  • Do not overmix the meatball mixture to keep them tender.
03 -
  • Use fresh sage when possible for best flavor.
  • Allow meatballs to rest a few minutes before serving to retain juiciness.
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