Description

Quick and easy turkey meatball snack cups baked in a muffin tin with marinara sauce and cheese. Perfect for weeknight dinners, after-school snacks, or parties.

Ingredients

Scale

1 pound (450g) ground turkey (93% lean)
1 ½ cups (360ml) marinara sauce
1 cup (100g) shredded mozzarella cheese
½ cup (50g) grated Parmesan cheese
1 large egg
½ cup (50g) Panko breadcrumbs
2 tablespoons milk
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
½ teaspoon garlic powder
Salt and black pepper to taste
Optional: 2 cups chopped spinach, ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes, fresh basil for garnish

Instructions

Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 12-cup non-stick muffin tin with olive oil or line with paper liners.
In a medium mixing bowl, combine ground turkey, egg, breadcrumbs, milk, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Mix gently with hands until just combined; do not overmix.
Roll the mixture into 1-inch balls (yields about 24-28 meatballs).
Place one meatball in the center of each muffin cup.
Spoon about 1 tablespoon of marinara sauce over each meatball.
Top each cup with a generous sprinkle of shredded mozzarella and a little Parmesan.
Place the muffin tin on a baking sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes, or until cheese is bubbly and golden and meatballs reach an internal temperature of 165°F.
Let cool in the pan for 2-3 minutes to set, then remove and serve warm.

Notes

Do not overmix the meat to avoid tough meatballs. For best results, use freshly shredded mozzarella as pre-shredded contains anti-caking agents that prevent melting. If using store-bought frozen meatballs, thaw slightly before assembling. Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days or frozen for later.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Category: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian-American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 4 cups per serving
Calories: 280
Sugar: 4
Sodium: 650
Fat: 16
Saturated Fat: 6
Carbohydrates: 12
Fiber: 2
Protein: 22

Keywords: turkey meatballs, snack cups, muffin tin recipes, quick dinner, kid-friendly meals, party appetizers, 20 minute meals, healthy weeknight dinner