Description
Carnivore turkey meatballs bring hearty Italian-inspired comfort straight to dinner tables. Packed with robust flavor and protein, these tender bites deliver a satisfying meal that will quickly become a family favorite.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat:
- 2 pounds (907 grams) ground turkey
Binders and Fillers:
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) pork rind crumbs
Cheese and Seasonings:
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) ricotta cheese
- 1/3 cup (40 grams) grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt (to taste)
- Pepper (to taste)
Sauce Ingredients:
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) heavy whipping cream
- 1/4 cup (30 grams) grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons (30 grams) unsalted butter
- 1 1/2 teaspoons minced garlic
- Salt (to taste)
- Pepper (to taste)
Garnish:
- Fresh basil (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F and lightly coat a baking dish with butter to prevent sticking and ensure easy cleanup.
- In a spacious mixing bowl, thoroughly combine ground turkey with pork rind crumbs, egg, ricotta, Parmesan, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper until ingredients are evenly distributed.
- Gently form the meat mixture into uniform, compact spheres, ensuring consistent size for even cooking.
- Carefully place meatballs in the prepared baking dish, maintaining slight separation between each piece to promote proper heat circulation.
- Roast in the preheated oven for 20 minutes, monitoring until the exterior turns golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F for complete cooking.
- While meatballs bake, prepare the sauce by melting butter in a skillet over medium heat, then introducing minced garlic and cooking until aromatic.
- Pour heavy cream into the skillet, seasoning with salt and pepper, then allow the mixture to simmer and gradually thicken, stirring occasionally.
- Incorporate grated Parmesan into the sauce, whisking until creating a smooth, creamy consistency.
- Transfer freshly baked meatballs directly into the prepared sauce, gently coating each piece to ensure complete coverage.
- Garnish with fresh basil leaves for an elegant touch and serve immediately while hot.
Notes
- Opt for freshly ground turkey with a slightly higher fat content to ensure juicy, tender meatballs that won’t dry out during baking.
- Consider using a meat thermometer to check internal temperature reaches 165°F for food safety without overcooking.
- Replace pork rind crumbs with almond flour or crushed keto-friendly crackers for alternative low-carb binding agents.
- Experiment with adding finely chopped herbs like rosemary or thyme directly into the meatball mixture for enhanced flavor complexity.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 423 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 370 mg
- Fat: 32 g
- Saturated Fat: 13 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 5 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 33 g
- Cholesterol: 165 mg