Easy Turkey Meatballs Pumpkin Sauce (Printable Version)

Tender turkey meatballs in a creamy pumpkin and sage sauce create a comforting dish for any night.

# Ingredient List:

→ Turkey Meatballs

01 - 1 lb ground turkey
02 - 1 large egg
03 - ½ cup breadcrumbs (gluten-free optional)
04 - ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
05 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
06 - 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (or 1 tbsp dried)
07 - ½ tsp salt
08 - ¼ tsp black pepper
09 - 2 tbsp milk

→ Pumpkin Sage Sauce

10 - 1 tbsp olive oil
11 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
12 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
13 - 1¾ cups pumpkin purée (canned or homemade)
14 - 1 cup chicken or vegetable broth
15 - ½ cup heavy cream
16 - 1½ tsp fresh sage, finely chopped (or ½ tsp dried)
17 - ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
18 - Salt and black pepper, to taste
19 - 2 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese

# Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - In a large bowl, combine ground turkey, egg, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, garlic, parsley, salt, pepper, and milk. Mix gently until just combined to avoid tough texture.
03 - Shape mixture into 16 to 18 small meatballs and arrange on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 15 to 18 minutes until golden and cooked through.
04 - While meatballs bake, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion and sauté for 3 to 4 minutes until softened. Add garlic and cook for another 30 seconds.
05 - Stir in pumpkin purée, broth, heavy cream, sage, nutmeg, salt, and pepper. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally until slightly thickened.
06 - Add grated Parmesan to the sauce, stirring until melted. Adjust seasoning to taste.
07 - Add the baked meatballs to the sauce and let simmer for 2 to 3 minutes to meld flavors and heat through.
08 - Serve warm, optionally garnished with extra sage or Parmesan cheese.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Easy to prepare
  • Comforting fall flavors
02 -
  • Use gluten-free breadcrumbs to keep the dish gluten-free
  • Do not overmix meatball ingredients to keep them tender
03 -
  • Brown meatballs slightly before baking for extra flavor
  • Use fresh sage if possible for best aroma
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