Turkey Stuffing Meatballs: A Flavorful Twist on Holiday Classics

Turkey stuffing meatballs are a delightful and creative way to enjoy the classic flavors of Thanksgiving or Christmas any time of year. These bite-sized treats combine the savory goodness of turkey with the comforting taste of stuffing, all rolled into a convenient and delicious meatball. Whether you’re looking for a unique appetizer, a satisfying main course, or a fun way to use up leftover turkey and stuffing, this recipe is sure to be a crowd-pleaser. This recipe delivers a hearty and comforting dish that is incredibly easy to make. This recipe is a delightful twist on classic holiday flavors, perfect for any occasion.

## Why You’ll Love Turkey Stuffing Meatballs

* **Holiday Flavors in Every Bite:** These meatballs capture the essence of Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner in a single, savory morsel. The combination of turkey, stuffing, and traditional seasonings creates a familiar and comforting taste.
* **Versatile and Convenient:** Turkey stuffing meatballs can be served as an appetizer, a main course, or even as a topping for pasta or mashed potatoes. Their bite-sized format makes them easy to eat and perfect for parties or gatherings.
* **Great Way to Use Leftovers:** If you have leftover turkey and stuffing from a holiday meal, this recipe is an excellent way to repurpose them into something new and exciting. It’s a creative way to reduce food waste and enjoy those delicious flavors for days to come.
* **Easy to Make:** Despite their impressive flavor, turkey stuffing meatballs are surprisingly easy to make. With just a few simple ingredients and steps, you can have a batch of these flavorful meatballs ready in no time. A simple weeknight meal, but impressive enough for entertaining.
* **Customizable:** This recipe can be easily adapted to suit your preferences. You can adjust the seasonings, add different types of stuffing, or even incorporate other ingredients like cranberries or nuts.

## Ingredients You’ll Need

* **Ground Turkey:** The base of our meatballs, ground turkey provides a lean and flavorful protein. You can use ground turkey breast or a mixture of ground turkey breast and ground turkey thigh for a richer flavor. Approximately 1.5 pounds.
* **Stuffing:** The heart of the recipe, stuffing adds texture, flavor, and a touch of holiday nostalgia. You can use homemade stuffing or store-bought stuffing mix. If using store-bought, ensure it’s prepared according to package directions beforehand. About 3 cups.
* **Egg:** Acts as a binder, holding the meatballs together and preventing them from falling apart during cooking. One large egg is sufficient.
* **Breadcrumbs:** Another binding agent, breadcrumbs help to absorb excess moisture and create a more cohesive meatball. Plain breadcrumbs are best, but you can also use seasoned breadcrumbs for extra flavor. Half a cup of breadcrumbs.
* **Onion:** Adds flavor and moisture to the meatballs. Finely chop the onion so that it blends seamlessly into the mixture. One small onion, finely chopped.
* **Garlic:** Enhances the savory flavor of the meatballs. Mince the garlic for the best flavor distribution. Two cloves of garlic, minced.
* **Fresh Herbs:** Fresh herbs like parsley, sage, and thyme add a touch of freshness and complexity to the flavor profile. Chop the herbs finely for optimal flavor release. Two tablespoons of mixed fresh herbs, chopped.
* **Turkey or Chicken Broth:** Adds moisture to the meatballs and helps to keep them tender during cooking. You can also use water if you don’t have broth on hand. One-quarter cup of turkey or chicken broth.
* **Salt and Pepper:** Essential seasonings to enhance the flavor of the other ingredients. Season to taste.
* **Olive Oil:** Used for browning the meatballs in a skillet. You can also use other types of cooking oil, such as vegetable oil or canola oil. Two tablespoons of olive oil.

## Step-by-Step Instructions

1. **Prepare the Stuffing:** If using store-bought stuffing mix, prepare it according to the package directions. Allow the stuffing to cool slightly before mixing it with the other ingredients. It’s important to make sure the stuffing is moist but not soggy. Too much moisture will make the meatballs fall apart. Fluff the stuffing with a fork to make sure it is not compacted.
2. **Combine Ingredients:** In a large bowl, combine the ground turkey, prepared stuffing, egg, breadcrumbs, chopped onion, minced garlic, fresh herbs, turkey or chicken broth, salt, and pepper. Use your hands to gently mix all the ingredients together until well combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can result in tough meatballs. A light touch will give you the best results.
3. **Form the Meatballs:** Roll the mixture into 1-inch meatballs. You can use a small cookie scoop to ensure that the meatballs are uniform in size. This will also help them cook evenly. Place the meatballs on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. This will prevent them from sticking and make cleanup easier.
4. **Brown the Meatballs:** Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add the meatballs to the skillet in a single layer, being careful not to overcrowd the pan. Brown the meatballs on all sides, about 2-3 minutes per side. Browning the meatballs adds flavor and helps to seal in the juices. If necessary, cook the meatballs in batches.
5. **Simmer in Sauce (Optional):** For a more flavorful and saucy meatball, you can simmer the browned meatballs in your favorite sauce. Tomato sauce, marinara sauce, or even cranberry sauce would all be delicious choices. Add the sauce to the skillet, bring to a simmer, and then add the browned meatballs. Cover the skillet and simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until the meatballs are cooked through. The internal temperature of the meatballs should reach 165°F (74°C).
6. **Bake the Meatballs (Alternative):** Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Place the formed meatballs on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the meatballs are cooked through. The internal temperature of the meatballs should reach 165°F (74°C). This method is great for hands-off cooking and ensures even cooking.
7. **Serve and Enjoy:** Serve the turkey stuffing meatballs hot, either plain or with your favorite sauce. Garnish with fresh herbs, if desired. These meatballs are delicious served as an appetizer, a main course, or as a topping for pasta or mashed potatoes. Enjoy!

## Tips for Perfect Turkey Stuffing Meatballs

* **Don’t Overmix:** Overmixing the meatball mixture can result in tough meatballs. Mix the ingredients gently until just combined.
* **Moisten the Stuffing:** If the stuffing is too dry, add a little more turkey or chicken broth to moisten it. The stuffing should be moist but not soggy.
* **Use a Cookie Scoop:** Using a small cookie scoop will help to ensure that the meatballs are uniform in size, which will help them cook evenly.
* **Don’t Overcrowd the Pan:** When browning the meatballs, don’t overcrowd the pan. Cook them in batches if necessary.
* **Check for Doneness:** Use a meat thermometer to ensure that the meatballs are cooked through. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C).
* **Add a Touch of Sweetness:** For a more complex flavor profile, add a touch of sweetness to the meatballs. You can add a tablespoon of brown sugar or maple syrup to the mixture.
* **Spice it Up:** For a spicier meatball, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the mixture.

## Variations and Adaptations

* **Cranberry Turkey Stuffing Meatballs:** Add dried cranberries to the meatball mixture for a touch of sweetness and tartness. You can also serve the meatballs with a cranberry sauce. About half a cup of dried cranberries is usually sufficient.
* **Apple Turkey Stuffing Meatballs:** Add diced apples to the meatball mixture for a touch of sweetness and texture. Granny Smith apples are a good choice. One small apple, diced, will add a subtle sweetness and a nice texture.
* **Nutty Turkey Stuffing Meatballs:** Add chopped nuts, such as pecans or walnuts, to the meatball mixture for added crunch and flavor. A quarter cup of chopped nuts can make these meatballs more interesting.
* **Gluten-Free Turkey Stuffing Meatballs:** Use gluten-free breadcrumbs and gluten-free stuffing mix to make this recipe gluten-free. There are many excellent gluten-free stuffing mixes available in stores.
* **Vegetarian Stuffing Meatballs:** Substitute the ground turkey with a plant-based ground meat alternative, such as Beyond Meat or Impossible Burger. Ensure that the stuffing is also vegetarian-friendly.
* **Different Stuffing Flavors:** Experiment with different stuffing flavors, such as cornbread stuffing, sausage stuffing, or wild rice stuffing. Each type of stuffing will lend a unique flavor to the meatballs.
* **Cheese Stuffed Meatballs:** Stuff each meatball with a small cube of cheese, such as mozzarella or cheddar, before cooking. This will create a gooey and delicious surprise inside each meatball.

## Serving Suggestions

* **Appetizer:** Serve the turkey stuffing meatballs as an appetizer with toothpicks or skewers. Offer a variety of dipping sauces, such as cranberry sauce, gravy, or honey mustard.
* **Main Course:** Serve the meatballs as a main course with a side of mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, or a salad.
* **Pasta Topping:** Use the meatballs as a topping for pasta. Toss the meatballs with your favorite sauce and serve over spaghetti, penne, or rigatoni.
* **Mashed Potato Bowl:** Create a mashed potato bowl with the meatballs as the centerpiece. Top the mashed potatoes with the meatballs, gravy, and a sprinkle of fresh herbs.
* **Sandwiches or Sliders:** Serve the meatballs on slider buns or small rolls with cranberry sauce or gravy for a festive sandwich.

## Make-Ahead and Storage Instructions

* **Make-Ahead:** You can prepare the meatball mixture ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Form the meatballs just before cooking.
* **Storage:** Cooked turkey stuffing meatballs can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat them in the microwave, oven, or skillet.
* **Freezing:** Turkey stuffing meatballs can also be frozen for longer storage. Place the cooked meatballs on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and freeze for 1-2 hours, or until solid. Then, transfer the frozen meatballs to an airtight container or freezer bag. Frozen meatballs can be stored for up to 2-3 months. Reheat them in the oven or skillet until heated through.

## Recipe Card: Turkey Stuffing Meatballs

**Yields:** Approximately 24 meatballs
**Prep Time:** 20 minutes
**Cook Time:** 25 minutes

**Ingredients:**

* 1.5 pounds ground turkey
* 3 cups prepared stuffing
* 1 large egg
* ½ cup breadcrumbs
* 1 small onion, finely chopped
* 2 cloves garlic, minced
* 2 tablespoons mixed fresh herbs, chopped (parsley, sage, thyme)
* ¼ cup turkey or chicken broth
* Salt and pepper to taste
* 2 tablespoons olive oil

**Instructions:**

1. Prepare the stuffing according to package directions (if using store-bought) and let it cool slightly.
2. In a large bowl, combine the ground turkey, stuffing, egg, breadcrumbs, onion, garlic, fresh herbs, broth, salt, and pepper. Mix gently until just combined.
3. Roll the mixture into 1-inch meatballs. Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
4. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Brown the meatballs on all sides, about 2-3 minutes per side. Alternatively, bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 20-25 minutes, or until cooked through.
5. (Optional) Simmer the browned meatballs in your favorite sauce for 15-20 minutes.
6. Serve hot and enjoy!

## Nutritional Information (Approximate, per meatball)

* Calories: 80-100
* Protein: 8-10 grams
* Fat: 4-6 grams
* Carbohydrates: 6-8 grams

*Note: Nutritional information may vary depending on the specific ingredients used.*

These Turkey Stuffing Meatballs are a delightful and comforting dish that brings together the best flavors of the holidays. Enjoy experimenting with variations and making this recipe your own! Whether you serve them as an appetizer, a main course, or a snack, they are sure to be a hit with everyone.