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Garlic Butter Turkey Meatballs with Lemon Pasta

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Garlic Butter Turkey Meatballs with Lemon Pasta is a fresh and flavorful dinner featuring juicy turkey meatballs tossed with pasta in a zesty lemon-garlic butter sauce. It’s a light yet satisfying meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights or special occasions.

Ingredients

  • For the turkey meatballs:
  • 1 lb ground turkey
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 egg
  • 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 2 tbsp olive oil or butter (for cooking)
  • For the lemon pasta:
  • 8 oz spaghetti or linguine
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • Zest and juice of 1 lemon
  • 1/2 cup reserved pasta water
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Optional: red pepper flakes, chopped fresh parsley, extra Parmesan for garnish

Instructions

  1. Cook pasta according to package instructions. Reserve 1 cup pasta water, then drain and set pasta aside.
  2. In a mixing bowl, combine ground turkey, garlic, Parmesan, egg, breadcrumbs, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Mix just until combined.
  3. Form mixture into 1–1.5 inch meatballs.
  4. Heat olive oil or butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add meatballs and cook for 8–10 minutes, turning to brown all sides until fully cooked. Transfer to a plate.
  5. In the same skillet, melt butter and sauté garlic for 1 minute. Stir in lemon zest, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
  6. Return meatballs to the pan and toss to coat in the sauce.
  7. Add the cooked pasta and reserved pasta water, tossing everything together until well coated and glossy.
  8. Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley, extra Parmesan, and red pepper flakes if desired.

Notes

  • Bake meatballs at 400°F for 15–18 minutes for a hands-off method.
  • Use ground chicken or beef as an alternative to turkey.
  • Add spinach or peas for extra veggies.
  • Nutritional yeast can replace Parmesan for a dairy-free option.
  • Gluten-free pasta and breadcrumbs make this dish gluten-free friendly.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://recipesbyliza.com/garlic-butter-turkey-meatballs-with-lemon-pasta/