Turkey Meatballs with Lentil Marinara
Turkey meatballs with lentil marinara sauce... super healthy! The egg-free turkey meatballs have a delicious, meaty sweet Italian sausage flavor. And, the marinara has a rich tomato-onion taste with the perfect balance of sweet, acid, and salt! While this sauce has a whole 1/2 cup of red lentils in it, you can't really taste them. So, even if you aren't a big fan of lentils you'll still love this recipe, I promise. Per ounce, red lentils contain 2.5 grams of protein, 2 grams of fiber, and 13% of your daily value of folate! See their complete nutrition facts here: https://bit.ly/33BJ0bX
You can use any type of pasta you like for this recipe, but I'd recommend using either whole wheat pasta or gluten-free chickpea pasta to make it even healthier. As for pasta shape, I like to use rigatoni but this would also be good with fettuccine or shells. Ultimately, you can use whatever you have on hand and it'll still be great. I guess if you wanted it low carb you could you even just pour it over steamed cauliflower. I'm a carb girl myself, but if you're not I'm sure that would still be delicious.
This takes a little while to make, mostly so the flavor of the marinara sauce can fully develop. But, I promise its totally worth it! This recipe is great for meal prepping for dinner, or even lunch. It makes enough for 5-6 people or meals.
I use vegan buttery spread for this recipe because I cook for someone with a dairy allergy, but if you don't need this to be dairy-free you can use regular butter. If you're using gluten-free pasta you should also use gluten-free crackers in the meatballs, I like Van's fire-roasted veggie crackers (not sponsored) but you can use whatever kind you like. I do prefer vegetable crackers of some kind for this recipe because they add even more flavor.
My turkey meatballs with lentil marinara sauce is a complete meal all on its own, but it would also be great served with a green salad or some garlic toast! Looking for gluten and dairy-free bread to make garlic toast? Try this super healthy gluten-free vegan sandwich bread! https://bit.ly/30Heewt
Ingredients
- 8-10 oz dry pasta (cooked then drained)
- 1 medium onion
- 10 cloves of garlic
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp vegan butter (or regular butter if you don't need it dairy-free)
- 2 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 2 tsp dried basil
- 1 tsp paprika
- 28 oz can of whole san marzano tomatoes (or san marzano style tomatoes)
- 1/2 cup red lentils
- 2/3 cup chicken stock or broth
- 1 tsp salt
- pinch baking soda
- 2 tsp sugar
- 2 tbsp vegan mayonnaise
- 2 servings vegetable crackers
- 2 tsp ground fennel seeds
- 2 tsp coriander
- 2 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp oregano
- 2 tbsp nutritional yeast (or Parmesan cheese if you don't need it dairy-free)
- 1 1/2 tsp chicken bullion or stock concentrate (make sure its gluten and/or dairy free if you need that)
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
- 2 tsp dried basil
- 3 lb ground turkey (I prefer 85/15 turkey)
Lentil Marinara Sauce
Egg-Free Turkey Meatballs
Instructions
- Add the oils and butter to a large pot.
- Chop the onion and add to the pot.
- Grate the carrot and add to the pot.
- Dice the garlic and add it to the pot as well along with the oregano, basil, and thyme to the pot.
Turn the heat on medium-low and cook for about 8 minutes, stirring often to infuse all of the flavor into the oil.
While it cooks, pour the tomatoes into a bowl and crush the tomatoes with your hands into chunks. 
After 8 minutes, add the tomatoes, chicken stock, lentils, salt, baking soda, paprika, pepper, and sugar to the pot and stir. - Let it come to a simmer. then turn heat down to low. Let it simmer stirring occasionally for about an hour.
- After the sauce cooks for about 15 minutes, start the meatballs.
- Preheat your oven to 425°F and grease a large sheet pan (or two small sheet pans).
- Measure out two servings of crackers and crush them into fine crumbs, add to a large bowl.
Add the rest of the ingredients except for the ground turkey to the bowl and mix well with a fork.
Add the turkey and combine it very thoroughly with your hands. - Shape and place on the sheet pan 16 equal-sized meatballs. To accomplish this, press the meat mixture down in the bowl evenly and divide in half. Then divide those halves in half, then those halve in half, and those halves in half. Dividing in half 4 times total.
Place in the oven and bake for about 35 minutes, they should be browned and the internal temperature should be 165°F.- While the meatballs and sauce cook, boil your pasta and drain it.
When everything is done, add the pasta to the sauce and mix to coat, turn off the heat. - Scoop it onto a plate and top with a couple of meatballs, enjoy!
Enjoy!