My Secret to Juicy Meatballs

What’s more comforting than a bowl of spaghetti and meatballs on lazy weeknight? Okay, maybe a glass of wine. 

I try to limit my pasta dishes to once a week so I have to make it extra yummy to satisfy my cravings. Spaghetti is a point of contention in my household — my MIL chokes on any noodle smaller than a fettuccine so my husband is anti-spaghetti (facepalm). For the record, my mother in law has no condition that prevents her from eating and swallowing properly; she’s just nuts (BUT I love her).

From working in various restaurants in college (and college the second time around), I learned a few secrets on elevating a regular dish and my favorite secret is adding ricotta cheese to meatballs. So without further ado, below is my turkey meatball recipe.

Time:

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 20 – 25 minutes

Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients

• 1lb ground turkey
• 1 large egg
• 2 tbsp ricotta cheese
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• ¼ cup panko breadcrumbs 
• ¼ tsp dried oregano 
• ¼ tsp dried basil
• ¼ tsp garlic powder
• ¼ tsp paprika 
• ¼ tsp red pepper cayenne 
• Pinch of salt and pepper 
• Optional: ¼ tsp of crushed red pepper flakes

Directions

1. Combine the egg and ricotta cheese in a large bowl. 
2. Add the dry ingredients and stir together with a fork or whisk.
3. Add the ground turkey and use your hands to coat the turkey with all the other ingredients.
4. Heat 1 tbsp of olive oil in a pan on low – medium heat (my go-to pan is Le Creuset Buffet Casserole with Glass Lid — mine is a limited edition pink color that I received as a gift and even though it’s technically a casserole pan it’s a great size for sauteing, pan searing, and even making pancakes). 
5. Scoop a portion of the turkey mixture and roll into 2-inch diameter balls.
6. Add the meatballs to the preheated pan.
7. Turn meatballs every 5 minutes or so to get an even crispiness to the outside of the meatballs.
8. Your meatballs should be ready within 20 – 25 minutes (safe internal temperature of 165°F). 
9. Now add the meatballs to your favorite pasta with red sauce and don’t forget to shave fresh parm on top.

Bon appétit!

Sur La Table is currently having a cookware sale that has my favorite Le Creuset pan at more than 40% off. Whenever I find a good sale at Sur La Table or even TJ Maxx, I try to get other Le Creuset items like baking pans because they’re so durable and reliable. Definitely worth the splurge.

I told you mine so now what are some of your cooking secrets?