Creamy Turkey Meatballs are a lighter and healthier twist on the classic meatball, combining lean ground turkey with a rich, creamy sauce. Perfect for a cozy dinner, these tender meatballs are packed with flavor and offer a delicious, comforting meal without the heaviness of traditional beef meatballs. The creamy sauce, often made with ingredients like sour cream or heavy cream, perfectly complements the juicy turkey, making it a dish that’s sure to satisfy without being too indulgent.
The key to making delicious creamy turkey meatballs is ensuring they are both flavorful and tender. Ground turkey, while lean, can sometimes be a bit dry if not seasoned well. To keep the meatballs juicy, ingredients like breadcrumbs, egg, and grated Parmesan are added to help bind the meat while keeping them moist. Fresh herbs such as parsley, garlic, and thyme elevate the flavor, while a hint of onion adds depth to the meatballs. Once formed, the meatballs are gently browned in a pan, allowing them to develop a crispy, golden exterior while staying tender inside.
The creamy sauce for turkey meatballs can be made with a variety of ingredients depending on your preference. A mixture of sour cream, cream cheese, or heavy cream creates a velvety base that’s both rich and comforting. You can also add a touch of Dijon mustard, lemon juice, or a pinch of paprika for extra flavor and balance. The sauce is simmered with the meatballs, allowing them to soak up the creamy goodness while absorbing all the savory flavors.
Creamy turkey meatballs pair beautifully with a variety of sides. For a lighter option, serve them over a bed of zoodles (zucchini noodles), cauliflower rice, or a fresh salad. For a more indulgent meal, they’re perfect with mashed potatoes, pasta, or rice, as the creamy sauce makes a delicious coating.
This dish is not only a crowd-pleaser but also a fantastic option for meal prep. It can be made in advance and stored in the fridge for a few days, making it ideal for busy weeknights when you need a comforting meal that’s easy to reheat. Whether you’re cooking for a family dinner or hosting a gathering, creamy turkey meatballs are sure to be a hit.
Start by mixing ground turkey with breadcrumbs, egg, and seasoning. Brown the meatballs, then simmer them in a creamy sauce made with garlic, broth, and a splash of cream (or cream cheese for extra richness!) Recipe is below.
They pair perfectly with mashed potatoes, rice, pasta, or even over zucchini noodles for a low-carb option. Add a side of steamed veggies for a full meal.
Definitely—swap the cream for a dairy-free alternative like coconut milk or unsweetened almond milk, and skip the cheese (or use a dairy-free version)
Super kid-friendly! Creamy and mild, these meatballs are a family favorite—even picky eaters love them.
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground turkey
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 egg large, beaten
- 1/4 cup parmesan cheese grated
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1/4 cup onion finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese for sauce
- 1 tablespoon parsley chopped, for garnish, fresh
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine ground turkey, breadcrumbs, egg, grated parmesan, minced garlic, chopped onion, salt, and black pepper. Mix until well combined.
- Shape the mixture into meatballs, about 1 inch in diameter.
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the meatballs and cook until browned on all sides, about 6-8 minutes. Remove the meatballs from the skillet and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add heavy cream, chicken broth, and additional parmesan cheese. Bring to a simmer, stirring occasionally.
- Return the meatballs to the skillet and coat them in the creamy sauce. Let them simmer in the sauce for another 10-15 minutes, until fully cooked.
- Garnish with chopped fresh parsley before serving. Enjoy your creamy turkey meatballs!
Nutrition
I’m picky about turkey meatballs and these actually tasted “real” and not dry. I browned them longer (closer to 8-10 min) and it helped.
I dunno, man. Turkey doesn’t taste like beef. I think I’m gonna stick with beef meatballs.
Honestly, I was skeptical about turkey meatballs being good. But these turned out surprisingly tasty! Great recipe.
These are so good! I made them for dinner and my kids loved them. Will make again!
So creamy and delicious! I added some mushrooms and it was heavenly.
Easy to follow. Tasted great and my kids ate it without complaining. Win for me!
I tried this recipe and it was okay, but my meatballs fell apart. Maybe I did something wrong?
I’m glad your kids liked it! We need more recipes that make dinner easier. Thanks for sharing!
I’m skeptical about turkey meatballs staying tender, but these held up. Browning took the full 8 minutes, and the simmer finished them well.
Yummy! 🍝 But why is turkey better than beef? I don’t get it. Beef meatballs are best!
I tried this recipe but I substituted the turkey with beef. Not sure if that was the best idea!
Substituting beef for turkey? That’s risky! But hey, maybe it turned out better than you think. How did it taste?
I don’t know, they didn’t taste right to me. Maybe I messed something up??
Don’t worry, it happens! Maybe you missed a step or the turkey was too lean. Try again, they’re worth it!
Not gonna lie, 1 inch meatballs felt tiny. I made them bigger and had to cook longer. But the creamy sauce saved everything.
I followed this recipe exactly, but my sauce didn’t turn out creamy at all. Not sure what I did wrong.
This is basically meatballs in alfredo vibes, and I mean that in the best way. The parmesan in the sauce is key.
1st time cooking turkey meatballs and it was a fail… well kinda. I think I undercooked the middle. Flavor was ok, but I was rushing 😅
I used dried parsley because I’m lazy (and yeah, I used a lot). Turned out decent, but fresh would’ve looked nicer.
Yum!! Can’t believe how easy it was. My kids love it when I make this, it’s a total hit!
Just ok. The flavors didn’t impress me much. Might not make again.
Not bad, but mine were kinda bland even with salt/pepper. I think my onion was too small?? Also 1/2 cup breadcrumbs felt like a lot for me.
Yum! My kids loved it. We added some mushrooms, and it was perfect!
How many meatballs does this recipe make? I doubled the recipe and we still wanted more! 😂
Meatballs.
These meatballs sound amazing! I love anything creamy. Can’t wait to try this recipe!
Pretty tasty, but my sauce got a little too thick by the time the meatballs finished. Next time I’ll lower the heat and maybe add a splash more broth.
Yep, that can happen—cream thickens fast. Lowering the heat and adding a splash more broth is exactly what I’d do next time. Also try stirring more often while it simmers.
Good combo of flavors, but did y’all really think heavy cream was healthy? 😅 Still good tho!
Haha, you’re right! Heavy cream isn’t exactly a salad ingredient 😄 But it does make everything taste so good, doesn’t it?
Really good flavor, but I think my sauce got a little too thick. Next time I’ll add a splash more broth/cream. Still worth it.
Pretty tasty, but mine needed a little more salt—like by a pinch or two. Also I had to simmer closer to 20 minutes to get the center fully done.
These turkey meatballs were a hit! So creamy and tasty.
I tried this recipe, but the sauce turned out too thick for my liking. Any tips?
I made these and they fell apart when cooking! What did I do wrong? Maybe I added too much cream? Not impressed.
Mine tasted a little too salty, maybe because I used salted parm. I’d cut the salt next time and adjust to the cheese.
Meatballs!!!
Yay, meatballs! Can’t wait to make this recipe! Sounds delicious!
Meatballs?? With turkey? Is that even a real meatball?
Super easy and comforting. I don’t even usually cook meatballs, but the steps were clear and it turned out great.
Meh… not my favorite. Wouldn’t make again. Sorry!
Can you use chicken instead of turkey? Asking for friendz.
Yeah, you can use chicken instead of turkey! It’ll taste just as good, maybe even better if you ask me. Just make sure to adjust the cooking time a bit! 😉
Meatballs are too dry! I followed all the instructions to the letter. Might try with beef next time.
I followed it pretty much exactly and it was good, but not “wow” for me. The breadcrumb/egg combo is fine—just wish the flavor was a bit stronger.
I don’t think turkey should be used for meatballs. It just tastes weird. Beef is better!
Meatballs were okay, but the sauce was too rich for my taste. Might try with less cream next time.
I get that! The sauce can be a bit heavy. Try using half the cream and adding some herbs for flavor instead! 🍽️
These turkey meatballs are fantastic! The sauce is so creamy and rich. My family loved them. Will definitely make again!
Pretty good, but kinda heavy with all that cream. I prefer lighter meals.
I dunno… they taste okay but not great. Lacks seasoning or something. I think I’ll stick with beef next time.
I think you’re right, a bit more spice would do wonders! Maybe try adding some Italian herbs next time?