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I’m so excited to share this healthy and easy recipe for cottage cheese turkey meatballs! These are hands down some of the juiciest turkey meatballs we’ve ever made, and it’s got a 10-minute prep time! If you’ve been looking for a delicious way to make meatballs without breadcrumbs, this recipe is for you. Don’t miss our juicy cottage cheese turkey burgers for another delicious option!
Table of Contents
- 🔍 Quick Look: Cottage Cheese Turkey Meatballs
- Why You Will Love This Recipe
- Key Ingredients
- Substitutions & Variations
- How To Make Cottage Cheese Turkey Meatballs
- Expert Tips
- Serving Suggestions
- Storage & Reheating Instructions
- Cottage Cheese Turkey Meatballs FAQs
- More Meatball Recipes to Try!
- Cottage Cheese Turkey Meatballs Recipe
🔍 Quick Look: Cottage Cheese Turkey Meatballs
- ⏱️ Prep Time: 10 minutes
- ⏱️ Cook Time: 25 minutes
- 🕒 Total Time: 35 minutes
- 🍽 Calories: ~275 kcal per serving
- 👥 Servings: 4 servings
- 🥣 Key Ingredients: Ground turkey, cottage cheese, egg, Parmesan cheese
- 📖 Dietary Information: Gluten-free, high-protein, meal-prep friendly
- 👩🍳 Cook Method: Oven-Baked
- ⭐ Difficulty: Easy, perfect for effortless weeknight dinners.
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Why You Will Love This Recipe
- Made Without Breadcrumbs: There are no breadcrumbs needed for this recipe! These meatballs are naturally gluten-free.
- High-Protein Meal: The combination of ground turkey, cottage cheese, and an egg makes these meatballs protein-packed.
- Easy to Make: These meatballs are easy to make with simple ingredients.
- Juicy: The addition of cottage cheese makes these meatballs incredibly delicious and juicy. It’s not to be missed!
Key Ingredients
- Ground Turkey: The base of these cottage cheese meatballs is ground turkey. You can use lean ground turkey or ground turkey breast.
- Cottage Cheese: The game-changer in this recipe is cottage cheese! It adds protein and makes the meatballs super juicy! Plus, you don’t taste it.
- Seasonings: Season these cottage cheese turkey meatballs with garlic powder, dried basil, dried oregano, and salt for the ultimate flavor.
Find the full measurements in the recipe card below.
Substitutions & Variations
- Ground Turkey Swap: Don’t have ground turkey? Swap it with lean ground chicken or ground chicken breast for a similar flavor.
- Cottage Cheese to Use: You can use fat-free, low-fat, or full-fat cottage cheese in these meatballs.
- Parmesan Cheese Swap: Substitute the Parmesan with Pecorino Romano for a sharper, saltier bite.
- Sauce Options: Top with your favorite marinara sauce. Or, try our healthy homemade marinara sauce, roasted tomato sauce, or slow cooker tomato sauce.
- Extra Cheesy Option: Add 1/2 cup of shredded light mozzarella cheese on top before the final bake for extra melty cheesy goodness.
How To Make Cottage Cheese Turkey Meatballs
- Drain the cottage cheese in a strainer to remove excess moisture.
- Preheat your oven to 400°F. Lightly spray a 9×9 baking dish with olive oil. Add the ground turkey, cottage cheese, whisked egg, Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, basil, oregano, salt, and pepper to a large bowl.
- Use your hands to combine the meatball mixture.
- Use a small, 1-tablespoon cookie scoop to form about 25 meatballs, placing them evenly in your baking dish.
- Bake the meatballs uncovered for 18-20 minutes, or until fully cooked, when the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Pour the marinara sauce over the meatballs, sprinkle with Parmesan cheese, and return to the oven for another 5-10 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbly and everything is heated through. Then, top with fresh basil if desired and enjoy!
Expert Tips
- Add the Cottage Cheese: Cottage cheese is the secret ingredient! Don’t skip it, it keeps the meatballs moist and tender.
- Drain the Cottage Cheese: We recommend draining the cottage cheese through a strainer to remove excess moisture before adding it to the bowl with the rest of the ingredients.
- Mix Gently: Overmixing the meat mixture can make the meatballs dense.
- Even-Sized Meatballs: It’s best to use a small cookie scoop so the meatballs are all the same size and cook evenly.
- Meal Prep Win: These meatballs can be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator or freezer for later!
Serving Suggestions
Serve these cottage cheese turkey meatballs straight from the baking dish with the sauce and melted cheese, or spoon them over your favorite pasta. High-fiber or high-protein pasta works great, as do lighter options like hearts of palm noodles, zucchini noodles, cooked lentils, or spaghetti squash. Try our air fryer spaghetti squash for an easy base. You can also turn them into a meatball sub with your favorite bread.
We love serving these meatballs with a side Caesar salad made with our healthy Caesar dressing, or our delicious Italian chopped salad. For more delicious options, serve it alongside a healthy Caprese salad or a side of crispy air fryer green beans, air fryer Parmesan potatoes, or air fryer frozen broccoli!
Storage & Reheating Instructions
Storing: Store leftover cottage cheese turkey meatballs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days.
Reheating: Reheat these cottage cheese meatballs in marinara sauce over medium-low heat in a saucepan on the stovetop or in the oven when ready to serve.
Cottage Cheese Turkey Meatballs FAQs
Is Cottage Cheese Good in Meatballs?
Yes, cottage cheese is good in meatballs! It’s a total game-changer because it makes the meatballs incredibly tender, juicy, and moist. Plus, it boosts the protein, and best of all, you don’t taste it!
Can You Freeze Cottage Cheese Meatballs?
Yes, you can freeze these cottage cheese turkey meatballs for 1-2 months. Let the baked meatballs cool completely before storing them in a freezer-safe airtight container.
More Meatball Recipes to Try!
Chicken
Chicken Parmesan Meatballs
Appetizers
Cranberry Apple Chicken Meatballs
Chicken
Marry Me Chicken Meatballs
Turkey
Turkey Pesto Meatballs
If you try this recipe, please be sure to leave us a comment and star rating, ★★★★★, letting us know how it turns out for you.
Cottage Cheese Turkey Meatballs
Ingredients
For the Meatballs:
- 1 pound lean ground turkey or ground turkey breast
- 1/2 cup cottage cheese, drained
- 1 egg, whisked
- 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
For the Sauce & Cheese:
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
- fresh basil, optional for garnish
Instructions
- Drain the cottage cheese in a strainer to remove excess moisture.
- Preheat your oven to 400°F. Lightly spray a 9×9 baking dish with olive oil.
- Add the ground turkey, cottage cheese, whisked egg, Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, basil, oregano, salt, and pepper to a large bowl.
- Use your hands to combine the meatball mixture.
- Use a small, 1-tablespoon cookie scoop to form about 25 meatballs, placing them evenly in your baking dish.
- Bake the meatballs uncovered for 18-20 minutes, or until fully cooked, when the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Pour the marinara sauce over the meatballs, sprinkle with Parmesan cheese, and return to the oven for another 5-10 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbly and everything is heated through. Then, top with fresh basil if desired and enjoy!
Video
Notes
- Mix Gently: Overmixing the meat mixture can make the meatballs dense.
- Ground Turkey Swap: You can swap the ground turkey with lean ground chicken or ground chicken breast for a similar flavor.
- Cottage Cheese Options: You can use fat-free, low-fat, or full-fat cottage cheese.
- Parmesan Cheese Swap: Substitute the Parmesan with Pecorino Romano for a sharper, saltier bite.
- Sauce Options: Top with your favorite marinara sauce. Or, try our healthy homemade marinara sauce, roasted tomato sauce, or slow cooker tomato sauce.
- Extra Cheesy Option: Add 1/2 cup of shredded light mozzarella cheese on top before the final bake for extra melty cheesy goodness.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
These easy cottage cheese turkey meatballs are so juicy and flavorful, simmered in marinara for the perfect cozy, protein-packed meal you’ll want on repeat.
So Delicious!
Hi Deborah, I’m so glad you enjoyed the cottage cheese turkey meatballs! Thank you for leaving a review.