Turkey Meatballs Pumpkin Sauce (Print Version)

Tender turkey meatballs served with a creamy, aromatic pumpkin sage sauce for autumn dinners.

# What You'll Need:

→ Turkey Meatballs

01 - 1 pound ground turkey
02 - 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
03 - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
04 - 1 large egg, beaten
05 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
06 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
07 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
08 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

→ Pumpkin Sage Sauce

09 - 1 can (15 ounces) pumpkin puree
10 - 1 cup chicken broth
11 - 1/2 cup heavy cream
12 - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
13 - 1 tablespoon fresh sage, finely chopped (or 1 teaspoon dried sage)
14 - 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
15 - 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
16 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
17 - 1 tablespoon olive oil

→ For Serving (Optional)

18 - Cooked pasta or rice
19 - Extra Parmesan cheese
20 - Fresh parsley, chopped

# How to Make It:

01 - Preheat oven to 375°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - In a large bowl, combine ground turkey, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, beaten egg, garlic, parsley, salt, and pepper; mix gently until just combined.
03 - Shape mixture into 1-inch meatballs and arrange evenly on prepared baking sheet.
04 - Bake meatballs for 20 to 25 minutes until golden and cooked through.
05 - While meatballs bake, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat; add pumpkin puree and chicken broth, stirring to combine and bring to gentle simmer.
06 - Stir in heavy cream, Parmesan, sage, nutmeg, salt, and pepper; simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
07 - Add baked meatballs to skillet, turning gently to coat with sauce.
08 - Simmer meatballs in sauce for 5 minutes to meld flavors.
09 - Serve meatballs and sauce over pasta or rice; garnish with extra Parmesan and parsley as desired.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • Comforting autumn flavors
  • Easy to prepare
02 -
  • Meatballs can be cooked and frozen for later use
  • Use certified gluten-free breadcrumbs for a gluten-free option
03 -
  • Add a splash of white wine to the sauce for extra depth
  • For a spicy kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce
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