Turkey Meatballs in Spicy Tomato Basil Sauce with Fresh Mozzarella

I have come to really love meatballs.  And this week, I will try not one, but two new meatball recipes.  Tonight's recipe I found just a few days ago on Pinterest and it went right into rotation.  I had to try it - maybe because the photos on the blog where it was originally posted showed the melted cheese or maybe the red sauce or maybe, just maybe, the combination of all three.  Either way, I took to it tonight.

Let me start with the meatballs themselves.  I almost always use ground turkey when making my own meatballs.  Just healthier.  The uniqueness of these turkey meatballs comes in the seasonings - there is a distinct cumin flavor that really shines, and surprisingly makes the dish.  Don't skip the cumin.

Then there's the sauce.  Simple, five-ingredient sauce:  garlic (of course), red pepper flakes, a touch of oil, tomato sauce, and a little sugar to cut the acid.  Top it off with fresh mozzarella and fresh basil, and you've got yourself an awesome meatball dish, super easy to make in under 30 minutes, to satisfy your Italian/meatball fix.

Turkey Meatballs in Spicy Tomato Basil Sauce with Fresh Mozzarella

Turkey Meatballs in Spicy Tomato
Basil Sauce with Fresh Mozzarella

What You Need for the Meatballs:

• 1 package ground turkey
• 2 eggs (I used the equivalent of two egg whites)
• 1/4 c seasoned breadcrumbs
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 2 tbsp fresh basil, minced
• 1 tsp cumin (the secret ingredient!)
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/4 tsp black pepper

What You Need for the Sauce:

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 3 large garlic cloves, minced
• 2 8-oz cans tomato sauce (I used no-salt added)
• 1 healthy pinch red pepper flakes
• 1 tsp sugar (I used one packet of Splenda)
• Salt, to taste
• 6 oz fresh Bocconcini
• 2 tbsp fresh basil, chiffonade

How You Do It:

1. Combine all ingredients for meatballs.  Using a 1-inch scooper, form meatballs and place on rimmed baking tray.  Bake 15 minutes at 400*.
2. While the meatballs are baking, add oil to a large saute pan.  Saute garlic and red pepper flakes until fragrant, but without browning the garlic.  Add tomato sauce, sugar, and salt.  Turn heat to medium-low and simmer until meatballs are cooked.
3. Once meatballs are fully-cooked, add to sauce pan and turn to coat.  Scatter bocconcini throughout and cover until cheese is slightly melted.
4. Top with fresh basil.

Turkey Meatballs in Spicy Tomato Basil Sauce with Fresh Mozzarella recipe adapted from Alaska from Scratch.