These Garlic Turkey Meatballs with Orzo are what cozy weeknight dinner goals are fabricated from! Completely juicy floor turkey meatballs loaded with garlic and recent herbs, simmer in a herby, creamy orzo that’s full of veggies and balanced with lemon taste.
Not solely is that this recipe filled with protein and gluten-free-friendly, nevertheless it additionally cooks in a single skillet in lower than an hour!
Simple Herb and Garlic Turkey Meatballs
Versatile, flavorful, and customizable, meatballs are one in every of my favourite straightforward weeknight dinners. Because of this, I’m all the time rotating via go-to choices like my sheet pan Greek meatballs, gluten-free turkey meatballs with spinach, and Thai meatballs, utilizing completely different proteins like hen, turkey, and floor beef.
Nevertheless, these garlic turkey meatballs with creamy orzo are a complete game-changer for busy nights. Every thing comes collectively in a single skillet, which implies much less prep, fewer dishes, and a hearty, satisfying meal on the desk in beneath an hour. So comforting, too! I put together a fast Restaurant Worthy Caesar Salad whereas the combination cooks, and dinner is served. Plus, leftovers retailer nicely within the fridge and reheat superbly for a simple meal the subsequent day!
Elements and Notes
*Scroll right down to the recipe card for the total recipe and ingredient listing!
Floor Turkey Meatballs
- Floor Turkey: I’ve examined each mild and darkish meat turkey, and each work nicely for this recipe. I’ve additionally used floor hen, and it’s simply as tasty.
- Egg: This acts as a binder, holding the meatballs collectively, eliminating the necessity for any panko breadcrumbs. I don’t advocate utilizing any egg substitutes!
- Herbs and Spices: Salt, pepper, garlic powder, and recent herbs add savory taste with a pop of brightness. Parsley, basil, and oregano all work nicely. So, combine and match no matter you may have readily available.
Creamy Lemon Herb Orzo
- Butter: I take advantage of this to melt the veggies and add a wealthy taste. For a dairy-free possibility, use plant-based butter, or go for olive oil or avocado as a substitute.
- Veggies: Mushrooms (white or child Bella), onion, and spinach add texture, vitamins, and additional savory taste.
- Dry Orzo Pasta: I take advantage of common orzo, however you’ll be able to substitute gluten-free orzo or arborio rice if that you must maintain this recipe gluten-free. Jovial makes an ideal grain-free orzo, if wanted!
- Broth: I take advantage of do-it-yourself hen broth, however store-bought is simply effective. I all the time advocate utilizing low-sodium broth.
- Lemon: Use each lemon juice and lemon zest for a shiny, refreshing style.
- Grated Parmesan Cheese: Freshly grated Parmesan is greatest! For dairy-free meatballs with orzo, use plant-based Parmesan, or omit it utterly. Feta cheese additionally tastes nice, in order for you a barely Mediterranean-inspired twist.
- Recent Herbs: As with the meatballs, any mixture of herbs, equivalent to recent parsley, oregano, basil, or dill, all work nicely.
The place I Purchase My Floor Turkey
- Wild-Caught Seafood
- 100% Grass-Fed, Grass-Completed Beef
- Free-Vary Natural Hen
- Humanely Raised Pork
Delivered to your door! The most recent ButcherBox deal could be discovered proper right here.
The right way to Make Garlic Turkey Meatballs with Orzo
- Make the meatballs: Mix all of the components in a big bowl, and portion the combination into golf ball-sized meatballs.
- Brown the meatballs: Warmth oil in a big skillet. Sear the meatballs over medium-high warmth till they’re browned on all sides, and put aside.
- Cook dinner the orzo: In the identical skillet, cook dinner the mushrooms and onions in butter till softened. Then, add the orzo, and toast till evenly golden. Watch out to not burn! Stir within the broth and lemon juice. Nestle the meatballs into the combination, scale back the warmth, cowl, and cook dinner.
- Serve: Stir within the remaining components, permitting the spinach to wilt, and luxuriate in!
Lexi’s High Ideas
- Keep away from overmixing the meatballs. I like to make use of a fork to include the components, and blend simply till they’re nicely mixed. Persevering with to combine will end in a mushy meat combination and dry, powerful meatballs.
- Use a cookie scoop. For completely portioned meatballs, use a cookie scoop to divide the meat combination. It additionally helps maintain your arms clear!
- Don’t skip searing the meatballs. This locks in taste and retains them tender and juicy.
- Use a meat thermometer. You’ll know your meatballs are totally cooked after they attain an inner temperature of 165°F when measured with a meat thermometer.
- Relaxation the meatballs. Let the meatballs relaxation for about 5 minutes earlier than serving. This enables the pure juices to redistribute, stopping them from drying out or changing into powerful.
Extra Meatball Recipes To Strive
Meatballs
- 1 lb floor turkey
- 1 egg
- 2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 cup chopped recent herbs equivalent to parsley, oregano, and basil
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Orzo
- 2 tbsp butter
- 16 oz mushrooms sliced (white or child bella)
- 1/2 onion diced
- 16 oz dry orzo
- 4 cups hen broth
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan
- 2 cups spinach
- 1/2 cup chopped recent herbs equivalent to parsley, oregano, and basil
- Zest of 1 lemon
Make the Meatballs:
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In a big bowl, mix all meatball components besides olive oil. Combine utilizing a fork till nicely mixed. Roll into golf ball-sized meatballs.
1 lb floor turkey, 1 egg, 2 tsp salt, 1 tsp pepper, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1/4 cup chopped recent herbs
Cook dinner the Orzo:
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In the identical skillet, add butter, mushrooms, and onion. Cook dinner for about 5 minutes till softened. Add dry orzo and stir for 1 minute to evenly toast. Pour in hen broth and lemon juice. Stir, then nestle the meatballs into the combination. Scale back warmth to low, cowl, and cook dinner for 12 minutes.
2 tbsp butter, 16 oz mushrooms, 1/2 onion, 16 oz dry orzo, 4 cups hen broth, 2 tbsp lemon juice
End & Serve:
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Take away lid. Stir in parmesan, spinach, chopped herbs, and lemon zest. Combine till cheese has melted and spinach has wilted.
1/2 cup grated parmesan, 2 cups spinach, 1/2 cup chopped recent herbs, Zest of 1 lemon
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Serve heat and luxuriate in your one-pan cozy, flavorful meal!
Storing: Switch leftovers to an hermetic container, and retailer them within the fridge for as much as 3 days. Or, freeze for as much as 3 months, conserving in thoughts that the style and texture might change barely as soon as thawed.
Serving: 1servingEnergy: 781kcalCarbohydrates: 94gProtein: 53gFats: 22gSaturated Fats: 8gPolyunsaturated Fats: 3gMonounsaturated Fats: 9gTrans Fats: 0.3gLdl cholesterol: 139mgSodium: 2403mgPotassium: 1186mgFiber: 6gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 2504IUVitamin C: 20mgCalcium: 191mgIron: 4mg
