Skinny Turkey Meatball Lettuce Wraps (Printer View)

Light turkey meatballs in crisp lettuce with bright marinara sauce.

# What you'll need:

→ Turkey Meatballs

01 - 1 lb lean ground turkey
02 - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
03 - 1/4 cup gluten-free breadcrumbs
04 - 1 large egg
05 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
06 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
07 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
08 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
09 - 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

→ Marinara Sauce

10 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
11 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
12 - 1 can (15 ounces) crushed tomatoes
13 - 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
14 - 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
15 - 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
16 - Salt and black pepper to taste

→ For Serving

17 - 1 large head butter lettuce or romaine, leaves separated and washed
18 - Extra grated Parmesan cheese, optional
19 - Fresh basil leaves for garnish

# Method:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - In a large bowl, combine ground turkey, Parmesan cheese, breadcrumbs, egg, minced garlic, parsley, oregano, salt, and pepper. Mix until just combined, being careful not to overmix.
03 - Roll mixture into 1-inch meatballs and arrange on the prepared baking sheet in a single layer.
04 - Bake for 18 to 20 minutes until meatballs are cooked through and lightly browned.
05 - While meatballs bake, heat olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
06 - Stir in crushed tomatoes, basil, oregano, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Simmer uncovered for 10 to 12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened.
07 - Add cooked meatballs to the marinara sauce and gently toss to coat evenly.
08 - Place 2 to 3 meatballs with sauce in each lettuce leaf. Top with additional Parmesan cheese and fresh basil if desired.
09 - Serve immediately while warm.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • These meatballs are tender and flavorful without any of the heaviness that usually comes with comfort food.
  • The whole thing comes together in under 45 minutes, so you can have dinner on the table faster than you'd expect.
  • Lettuce wraps mean you skip the bread guilt and focus on actually enjoying the food in front of you.
02 -
  • Don't overmix your meatball mixture or they'll turn out dense and bouncy instead of tender and juicy—I learned this the hard way on my first attempt.
  • If your marinara tastes a bit sharp or acidic, stir in a tiny pinch of sugar or a small splash of balsamic vinegar to round out the flavors.
03 -
  • Wet your hands before rolling meatballs to prevent them from sticking to your palms, and work quickly so the mixture doesn't warm up and become harder to handle.
  • If you want extra depth, brown the meatballs briefly in a skillet before baking them, though the oven method is easier and produces equally tender results.
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