A lighter, family-friendly twist on the classic Italian comfort dish. Juicy turkey meatballs simmered in a rich homemade tomato sauce, tossed with perfectly cooked spaghetti. Ready in under 45 minutes and guaranteed to be a hit with the whole family!
Add the ground turkey, onion, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, Parmesan, breadcrumbs, salt, and egg to a large bowl. Mix with a spoon or clean hands until evenly combined. Avoid overmixing or your meatballs can turn tough.
Wet your hands to prevent sticking, then scoop out a heaping tablespoon of mixture at a time and roll into balls. Place on a plate. You should get about 20 to 22 meatballs.
Heat olive oil in a large sauté pan over medium-high heat. Working in batches, cook the meatballs for about 1 minute per side, about 4 minutes total, until browned all around. Transfer to a plate. They won't be fully cooked yet, and that's intentional. They'll finish cooking in the sauce.
For the Sauce:
In a large saucepan, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the onion and garlic and sauté for 2 minutes until softened and fragrant. Add the carrots and cook for another minute.
Add the diced tomatoes, Italian seasoning, and salt. Stir to combine and bring to a simmer. Cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens slightly and the carrots are tender.
Gently nestle the par-cooked meatballs into the sauce. Simmer for another 5 to 6 minutes, until the meatballs are cooked through (internal temperature of 165°F).
While the meatballs finish cooking, bring a large pot of water seasoned with 2 tablespoons of salt to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook according to package directions until al dente, tender but with a slight bite. Reserve a splash of pasta water before draining in case you need to loosen the sauce.
Drain the spaghetti and return it to the pot. Add the meatballs and sauce and toss everything together. Divide into bowls, top with extra Parmesan, and serve immediately.
Notes
Don't Overmix: Mix the meatball mixture just until everything is evenly combined or your meatballs can turn tough.
Portioning: Wet your hands or use a tablespoon cookie scoop to portion and roll the meatballs evenly.
Pasta Water: Reserve a splash before draining. It's great for loosening the sauce when tossing everything together.
Storing Leftovers: Store meatballs and sauce in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Store pasta separately for best results.
Freezing: Freeze meatballs and sauce (without pasta) for up to 3 months.
Crock Pot Option: Add the browned meatballs and sauce to a crock pot and cook on low for 4 to 6 hours instead of finishing on the stovetop.
Baking Option: Bake at 400 degrees F for 18 to 20 minutes then transfer to the sauce to finish instead of pan frying.
Gluten Free: Use gluten free breadcrumbs and gluten free spaghetti.