Description

These turkey meatball snack cups are a foolproof, beginner-friendly recipe that requires no rolling. Scoop the mixture into a muffin tin, top with marinara and cheese, and bake for a juicy, high-protein meal or appetizer that is perfect for entertaining or meal prep.

Ingredients

Scale

1 pound (450g) ground turkey (93% or 85% lean)
1 large egg
½ cup (40g) plain dried breadcrumbs
¼ cup (60ml) milk
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons yellow onion, finely diced
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
1 cup (240g) marinara sauce
½ cup (50g) shredded mozzarella cheese

Instructions

Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with parchment paper liners or spray with non-stick cooking spray.
In a mixing bowl, combine ground turkey, egg, breadcrumbs, milk, minced garlic, diced onion, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
Mix gently with hands or a spoon until just combined; avoid overmixing to prevent tough meatballs.
Divide the mixture evenly among the 12 muffin cups, filling each about ¾ full. Press down gently to create a cup shape.
Bake for 15 minutes until the meat is cooked through and edges begin to brown.
Remove from oven and spoon 1 tablespoon of marinara sauce on top of each meatball.
Sprinkle 1 teaspoon of shredded mozzarella cheese over the sauce on each meatball.
Return to oven and bake for another 5-7 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
Let cool in the tin for 5 minutes to set, then gently remove and serve warm.

Notes

Do not overmix the meat mixture to keep the meatballs tender. For meal prep, these freeze well raw or cooked. If using 99% lean turkey, add a teaspoon of olive oil to the mix. For a spicy kick, add red pepper flakes to the meat or use spicy marinara.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20-22 minutes
Category: Appetizer
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 snack cup
Calories: 180
Sugar: 2
Sodium: 350
Fat: 9
Saturated Fat: 3
Carbohydrates: 6
Fiber: 1
Protein: 18

Keywords: turkey meatballs, muffin tin recipes, easy appetizer, beginner cooking, high protein snack, meal prep, gluten-free option, dairy-free option