Parmesan Turkey Meatballs with Ravioli and Alfredo Sauce

Ground turkey can be a great healthier alternative to ground beef.  Unfortunately it can be a little pricey, but I like to use it every so often for dinners, even dinners that call for ground beef.  One thing to remember when using ground turkey when making burgers, meatballs or even a meatloaf is that it has a very low fat content, so it's important to add flavors to give it fat and flavor.  Adding things like eggs, cheeses, herbs, breadcrumbs will help to do just that.  

I will often use ground turkey to make a variety of flavored burgers or meatballs, staying true to the basic recipe of eggs, breadcrumbs, salt and pepper.  I've made chipotle burgers, Parmesan meatballs (recipe below), Greek style burgers/meatballs, and more!  Ground turkey is a blank canvas for you to style any way you like!

This recipe includes a lazy Alfredo sauce to use with pasta.  Tonight's menu called for ravioli (we didn't have kids home to worry about dairy).  When I say lazy Alfredo sauce, I mean as lazy as opening a jar of sauce and adding to it.  Yes, I've made my own which is a combination of butter, garlic, Parmesan, heavy cream and fresh herbs.  I basically added the same to this sauce, but you have a base for it with the jarred sauce.

A quick tip for when using ground turkey; if you're able always try to refrigerate your burgers, meatballs or meatloaf for at least an hour before cooking.  This will not only allow for the flavors to combine, but it won't fall apart when your cooking it.  If the meat is at room temperature and you're trying to grill turkey burgers, they will tend to crumble and fall apart.

Recipe includes 4 servings.

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs ground turkey
• 2 eggs
• 3/4 c. grated Parmesan cheese
• 3/4 c. breadcrumbs
• fresh parsley, chopped
• salt and pepper

Directions:

1. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil. Combine the above ingredients in a medium size bowl.  Mix well.  
2. Form meatballs to the size slightly larger than a golf ball.  You should have about 18 meatballs.
3. Cover baking sheet and place in the fridge for about an hour.  20 minutes before taking the meatballs from the fridge, preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
4. Bake the meatballs for 30 minutes.  The will need to reach an internal temperature of 165.  While the meatballs are in the oven, cook the ravioli according to package directions.

Recipe for the Alfredo sauce below.  Serve meatballs with your choice of pasta.  With these meatballs, I've made aglio e olio pasta, tortellini and ravioli.  Risotto would also be a tasty side.

Lazy Alfredo Sauce

Saute 1 clove of grated garlic in a little olive oil.  Add 3/4 c. of heavy cream (I often use half and half).  Bring to a low boil.  Add 3/4 c. grated Parmesan.  Stir to combine and dissolve the cheese. Add 1 jar of your favorite Alfredo sauce and fresh parsley chopped.  Season with salt and pepper.  Reduce heat to simmer, toss in some frozen peas and remove from heat.  (Peas can be omitted.)

To make this a one pot dish, I will cook the pasta to al dente, drain and then reuse the pot to make the sauce.  Once the sauce is ready, combine the pasta with the sauce and toss to combine.  You will have extra sauce to use over the meatballs.  Enjoy!!