BBQ Turkey Meatballs

Looking for a game day appetizer or even a holiday appetizer?? Try these little meatballs. They are quick and easy to make plus contain less fat and sugar than typical BBQ meatballs. Using a homemade BBQ sauce is also a good switch if you are watching your nutrition. This makes about 24 meatballs

1 lb ground turkey

1/3 cup GF bread crumbs
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp garlic, minced
½ tsp sea salt
½ tsp black pepper
½ tsp cumin
1 cup BBQ sauce

• In a large bowl, combine turkey, bread crumbs, paprika, garlic, salt, pepper and cumin. Using your hands, mix together until ingredients are well combined. U
• sing a cookie scoop, scoop meat mixture into balls and place into a greased muffin tin. This helps the meatballs keep their shape and also makes it pretty easy.
• Bake meatballs at 350°F for about 20 minutes or until meat is cooked through. In a large saucepan, combine cooked meatballs and BBQ sauce and cook for about 10 minutes. You can also but the sauce and cooked meatballs in a crock pot to keep warm if serving for a large group. 

Turkey Meatballs and Spaghetti Squash

Try these turkey meatballs and I’ll bet you won’t miss the beef. These are moist and flavorful without a lot of fat. We serve these meatballs over spaghetti squash and top with homemade pasta sauce. These are a huge hit at our house! Plus they are quick and easy to make!

1 lb ground turkey, lean

1 egg
¼ cup gluten-free bread crumbs
1 tsp fresh sage, chopped
1 tsp fresh basil, chopped
1 tsp fresh oregano, chopped
¼ cup roasted red pepper, chopped
1 tsp garlic, minced
½ tsp sea salt
½ tsp ground black pepper
Olive oil for greasing pan
1 spaghetti squash
2 cups pasta sauce (my homemade version is found here!)

• In a large mixing bowl, combine ground turkey, egg, breadcrumbs, pepper, garlic and seasonings.
• Form into 2” meatballs and put into a greased muffin pan. This makes the baking process really easy and helps the meatballs stay together.
• Bake at 375°F for about 20 minutes or until cooked completely through.
• While the meatballs are baking, cook the spaghetti squash. I find the easiest way is to cut the squash in half lengthwise and scoop out seeds. Place one half of the squash, cut side down in a glass baking dish. Add in ¼ cup water, cover and microwave for about 10 minutes. Cook the other half of squash the same way.
• Using a fork, scrape out the squash “pasta” and put onto serving plates.
• Once the meatballs are done, place two or three onto the squash pasta and top with pasta sauce. If desired, throw on some parmesan cheese and some parsley.