These Healthy Turkey Meatballs and be made in the Crockpot or on the Stovetop. Directions for both methods have been supplied below.
These low calorie meatballs are just 130 calories each, and have 14.4g of protein! They are flavorful and delicious, and as an Italian cookbook author, you can trust me to put out the best low calorie Italian food!
My healthy recipe for turkey meatballs has a little “cooking hack” worked into it. This helps flavor and darken the meat, so it’s not obvious that you used turkey instead of ground meat.
Healthy Turkey Meatballs
What You’ll Find in this Article:
Ingredients in Low Calorie Turkey Meatballs
Most turkey meatballs recipes call for the same (or close to) ingredients. But this traditional Italian meatballs recipe has a special hack to make them the best ever.
My low calorie meatball recipe has been passed down from my 1st generation Italian-American grandmother. It’s a traditional Italian meatball recipe, with one difference, Turkey.
Shopping List for Skinny Turkey Meatballs:
- Lean ground turkey
- Egg
- Parmesan Cheese
- Garlic
- Breadcrumbs (regular or Gluten-free)
- Salt
- Pepper
- Low Calorie Marinara Sauce or store-bought
How to Make Low Calorie Meatballs
This healthy meatball recipe was originally just for the slow cooker, but I updated it with stovetop directions so that it is more accessible.
Now matter how you make these low calorie meatballs, I know you’ll love them!
How to Make Low Calorie Meatballs:
Slow Cooker Directions:
- Add the turkey, egg, parmesan cheese, breadcrumbs, salt and pepper to a large bowl.
- Add in 1/4 cup marinara sauce (it’s ok if it’s cold).
- Mix with your hands until just combined, over-mixing will make tough meatballs.
- With wet hands (to avoid sticking) divide the meatballs into 8 portions, then roll each in your hands until you have a perfect ball. Place in the slow cooker and keep working until you have 8 meatballs.
- Pour the remaining marinara sauce over the meatballs and cook on high for 5 hours, or low for 8-10 hours.
- Serve hot with sauce poured over the meatballs.
Stovetop Directions:
- Heat a large pot over medium heat and spray with olive oil.
- Add the turkey, egg, parmesan cheese, breadcrumbs, salt and pepper to a large bowl.
- Add in 1/4 cup marinara sauce (it’s ok if it’s cold).
- Mix with your hands until just combined, over-mixing will make tough meatballs.
- With wet hands (to avoid sticking) divide the meatballs into 8 portions, then roll each in your hands until you have a perfect ball.
- Place each meatball into the hot pan and keep working until you have 8 meatballs.
- Cook for 5 minutes, flip the meatballs and pour over the remaining marinara sauce.
- Lower the heat to low and cook for 1 hour, until the meatballs are cooked through and the sauce is bubbling and thickened.
- Serve hot with sauce poured over the meatballs.
Healthy Turkey Meatballs Recipe
This low calorie meatball recipe can be made in the crockpot or on the stovetop! It’s just 130 calories per meatball (with sauce) and is so easy to make. I know you’ll love the recipe!
More Low Calorie Italian Recipes:
Low Calorie Turkey Meatballs
Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground turkey
- 1 egg
- 2 tablespoons Parmesan Cheese
- 1 clove of garlic minced
- 2 tablespoons breadcrumbs regular or Gluten-free
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- 3 cups Low Calorie Marinara Sauce or store-bought
Instructions
Slow Cooker Directions:
- Add the turkey, egg, parmesan cheese, breadcrumbs, salt and pepper to a large bowl.
- Add in 1/4 cup marinara sauce (it's ok if it's cold).
- Mix with your hands until just combined, over-mixing will make tough meatballs.
- With wet hands (to avoid sticking) divide the meatballs into 8 portions, then roll each in your hands until you have a perfect ball. Place in the slow cooker and keep working until you have 8 meatballs.
- Pour the remaining marinara sauce over the meatballs and cook on high for 5 hours, or low for 8-10 hours.
- Serve hot with sauce poured over the meatballs.
Stovetop Directions:
- Heat a large pot over medium heat and spray with olive oil.
- Add the turkey, egg, parmesan cheese, breadcrumbs, salt and pepper to a large bowl.
- Add in 1/4 cup marinara sauce (it's ok if it's cold).
- Mix with your hands until just combined, over-mixing will make tough meatballs.
- With wet hands (to avoid sticking) divide the meatballs into 8 portions, then roll each in your hands until you have a perfect ball.
- Place each meatball into the hot pan and keep working until you have 8 meatballs.
- Cook for 5 minutes, flip the meatballs and pour over the remaining marinara sauce.
- Lower the heat to low and cook for 1 hour, until the meatballs are cooked through and the sauce is bubbling and thickened.
- Serve hot with sauce poured over the meatballs.
Video
Nutrition
How to Serve Low Calorie Turkey Meatballs
The most traditional way to serve this Turkey Meatball Crockpot Recipe is over pasta. Here are a few more ideas:
- Over Pasta – The old standby Spaghetti and Meatballs, it’s hard to beat!
- In Lasagna – I like to quarter or chop leftover meatballs and add to homemade lasagna recipes.
- In a Sandwich – As a young Italian girl, cold meatball sandwiches were a staple in my lunchbox!
- On Pizza – Oh boy… if you haven’t done this yet you are missing out! Quarter the meatballs and use in place of Italian Sausage on pizza.
- Make a Meatball Dip – Chop the turkey meatballs into bite sized pieces, add to marinara sauce and cover with mozzarella cheese. Bake until the cheese is melted and the sauce is bubbling.
This recipe for turkey meatball in a crockpot is versatile and makes great leftovers!
Nutrition and Calories in Turkey Meatballs
Final Thoughts
As a proud Italian woman I just can’t, I won’t, I absolutely refuse to give up pasta and meatballs! And I don’t have to if I have a healthier version like this one.
If you’re looking for a traditional Italian Meatball recipe, this one is fantastic! Though my Italian grandmother is no longer with us, my 100% Italian Uncle tells me these are just as good as his mother’s.
These low calorie, healthy meatballs in the slow cooker are a great way to curb our cravings while eating healthy.
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Article History:
- Originally written and published July 23, 2020 by Audrey Johns
- Updated on September 15, 2023 by Audrey Johns