Turkey Meatballs with Parmesan Cream Sauce

These Turkey Meatballs with Parmesan Cream Sauce is so rich and delicious, it’s reminiscent of an Alfredo dish. Juicy meatballs and rich, creamy sauce pair together like a dream to create a comforting dinner that you can serve over pasta, mashed potatoes, and so many other side dishes.

If you enjoy turkey recipes, try our popular Turkey Burgers, Sweet Thai Chili Meatballs, and Turkey Chili.

Turkey Meatballs with Parmesan Sauce

If you’re an Alfredo fanatic like I am, this recipe is going to be right up your alley! These turkey meatballs are juicy made flavorful with Italian-inspired ingredients like garlic, parsley, and freshly grated parmesan. But the best part about them is this parmesan cream sauce that turn the whole dish into an Alfredo-style recipe!

I do want to note that even though there are very similar ingredients in this recipe to my Garlic Parmesan Turkey Meatballs, the flavor profile is actually very different. This recipe tastes just like an alfredo dish, which is very exciting to me! The parmesan sauce here is what really seals the deal. It’s pretty simple and has no unnecessary frills – just all of the classic flavors you’re craving in a creamy sauce.

I like to serve the meatballs over pasta, that way I can use the pasta to help me grab every bit of sauce. Trust me, you won’t want any of it going to waste! You can also serve this dish over mashed potatoes, but I find that the alfredo flavor palate plates the best with pasta. Feel free to also get creative with your choice of side dish, since this creamy, filling entrée is versatile enough to go well with a variety of sides!

Ingredient Notes:

For the meatballs:

• Lean Ground Turkey – I recommend “lean” ground turkey, not “extra lean.”
• Eggs
• Yellow Onion
• Garlic – for the best flavor, always use fresh garlic.
• Breadcrumbs – use plain bread crumbs or gluten free bread crumbs if needed.
• Parmesan – Freshly grated parmesan is SO much better to use in meatballs than pre-shredded! The flavor and consistency are drastically different.
• Parsley – Fresh minced parsley adds just the right pop of color and bright flavor.
• Seasonings – A pinch of salt and freshly cracked black pepper is all you need.

For the creamy parmesan sauce:

• Heavy Whipping Cream – this is your best option for the rich and creamy sauce. You can use half and half but it will not be a rich and would be a little thinner.
• Parmesan – fresh grated parmesan will be the best choice for a smooth and flavorful sauce.
• Butter – use unsalted to control the amount of sodium.
• All-Purpose Flour – This is used to thicken the sauce. If needed, use gluten free all-purpose flour.
• Parsley
• Salt

Cooking Instructions:

Roll the meatballs.

Combine all of the ingredients for the meatballs in a large bowl and make sure everything is incorporated well.

Use a cookie scoop to scoop the meat mixture. A cookie scoop helps to ensure that every meatball is the exact same size and cooks through evenly.

Grease your hands with some cooking spray, then roll the meatballs.

Cook the meatballs.

Heat a pan over medium heat and add oil.

Add the rolled meatballs to the pan.

Cook the meatballs over medium heat for about 2 minutes on each side to sear them. Once seared, lower the heat to medium-low, cover the pan, and cook for 10-15 minutes.

When the meatballs are fully cooked, remove them from the pan with a slotted spoon or spatula, leaving the cooking juices still in the pan.

Make the parmesan sauce.

Make sure all of your sauce ingredients are measured accurately and ready to be used! This is a quick moving recipe.

Add butter to the same pan you just cooked the meatballs in. The heat should still be medium-low.

Whisk in the flour until it’s smoothly mixed in. Whisk in the heavy cream, and continue to whisk to keep everything smooth.

Once the cream is warmed through and incorporated, add in the parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper.

Stir the sauce for a few minutes, until all of the cheese is melted and the sauce has thickened.

Stir in the parsley and remove from heat.

Storing and Reheating:

Feel free to store the turkey meatballs and the sauce together if you wish and reheat them together as well. Store both in an airtight food storage container in the refrigerator. Properly stored, it should all stay good for up to 4 days.

To reheat the meatballs and sauce, you can do so in the microwave, but in a 30-40 second increments so you don’t scald the sauce. You can also reheat both in a sauce pot over medium-low heat. If you use a sauce pot on your stove-top to reheat them, I recommend cutting the meatballs in half and covering the pot with a lid.

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