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Home » Course » Main Dish » Baked Mini Turkey Meatball Casserole

Baked Mini Turkey Meatball Casserole

By: Rosemary Published: September 26, 2019 Updated on: October 10, 2022

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Baked Mini Turkey Meatball Casserole,  a delicious Homemade Italian Comfort Food Recipe. Choose your pasta and make the perfect Family Dinner Dish.

meatball casserole in a white baking dish

What’s the best part about fall? Besides the cooler weather, holidays are just around the corner and of course anything and everything Apple and pumpkin!

And of course don’t forget the Comfort Food.

This is an easy baked pasta recipe that comes together quite quickly even though you may need a couple of extra pots. But it will be worth it.

Perfect turkey mini meatballs cooked to perfection in a delicious homemade sauce, no bottled sauces in this kitchen please.

Toss with cooked pasta, shredded mozzarella and topped with a good helping of freshly grated Parmesan cheese.

Table of Contents

  • How to make a Meatball Casserole
      • Start by making the meatballs:
      • Never Miss a Recipe!
  • How to make a simple White Sauce
  • Why do Meatballs fall apart?
  • How to store The Meatball Casserole
  • What is the best past for this Baked Pasta Recipe?
  • More Delicious Baked Pasta Recipes
  • Baked Mini Turkey Meatball Casserole
    • Ingredients  1x2x3x
      • FOR THE TURKEY MEATBALLS
      • FOR THE TOMATO SAUCE
      • EXTRAS
    • Instructions 
    • Notes
    • Nutrition

How to make a Meatball Casserole

Start by making the meatballs:

  • Soak the bread in milk for about 2 or 3 minutes, then squeeze out moisture and crumble.
  • In a medium bowl combine the crumbled bread with the ground turkey, parmesan cheese, egg,  and spices, mix well.
  • Form the mixture into very small meatballs.
meatball casserole making mining meatballs and in the frying pan
  • In a large frying pan add 2 tablespoons of olive oil and brown meatballs on all sides. Remove the meatballs and set aside.
fried mini meatballs and sauce in a black frying pan
  • In the same pan add the tomatoes, garlic, spices and water, stir to combine then add the meatballs and gently combine.
  • Cook until thickened.
cooking the sauce and meatballs until thick
  • While the sauce and meatballs are cooking, cook the pasta a little harder than al dent.
  • Add the drained pasta to the sauce, combine, pour into a medium-large baking dish, drizzle with a simple white sauce (bought or homemade). You can omit the white sauce but believe me it is sooo good with it.
  • Sprinkle with shredded firm mozzarella and freshly grated parmesan cheese.
meatball casserole in a white baking dish to be baked
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    • Bake for about 15-20 minutes. Let the casserole sit for about 5 minutes before serving.

    How to make a simple White Sauce

    In a small pot over medium heat melt 1/2 tablespoon of butter, then add 1/2 tablespoon of flour and a pinch of salt, combine with a whisk, add 1/2 cup of milk slowly and continue to stir until very thick.

    Why do Meatballs fall apart?

    When making meatballs you need to use bread crumbs (usually) and eggs to mind them together. But too much bread crumbs will make them fall apart and not enough won’t hold them together.

    meatball casserole  on a spoon

    How to store The Meatball Casserole

    Be sure to wrap the casserole tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate. It will last up for about three or four days in the fridge.

    It can be re-heated in a 325F oven for about 10-15 minutes or until heated throughout.

    The casserole can also be frozen, be sure to cool completely (and make sure the baking dish is freezer safe), cover with an airtight freezer safe bag and freeze for up to one to two months.

    meatball casserole in a white baking dish

    What is the best past for this Baked Pasta Recipe?

    I am going to say whatever pasta you prefer. We like a short ridgy pasta such as mezze penne, rigatoni or even mezze maniche, which I used in this recipe. But if you prefer spaghetti, then sure why not?

    When cooking your pasta remember that about two cups of dried pasta will equal almost four cups of cooked.

    More Delicious Baked Pasta Recipes

    • Baked Creamy Cheesy White Sauce Gnocchi
    • Homemade Creamy Baked Pancetta Macaroni
    • Baked Macaroni Double Cheese

    So if Fall has started to show her lovely face, then why not give a big welcome with this tasty Mini Turkey Meatball Casserole?! The ultimate Comfort Food. Buon Appetito!

    meatball casserole up close on a spoon
    meatball casserole up close on a spoon

    Baked Mini Turkey Meatball Casserole

    Rosemary Molloy
    A delicious Homemade Italian Comfort Food Recipe. Choose your pasta and make the perfect Family Dinner Dish.
    5 from 7 votes
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    Prep Time 45 mins
    Cook Time 25 mins
    Total Time 1 hr 10 mins
    Course Main Dish, Pasta
    Cuisine Italian
    Servings 6 servings
    Calories 418 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    FOR THE TURKEY MEATBALLS

    • 2 slices white bread (crusts removed)
    • ¼-½ cup milk (I used 2%) (60-120)
    • ½ cup parmesan cheese (502 grams)
    • 1 pound ground turkey (1/2 kilo)
    • 1 large egg
    • 1 clove garlic minced
    • ½ teaspoon oregano
    • ¼ teaspoon dried parsley
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • 1-2 dashes pepper

    FOR THE TOMATO SAUCE

    • 2 tablespoons olive oil
    • 2 cans pelati tomatoes (nothing added) (800 grams)
    • 1 teaspoon oregano
    • 1 teaspoon basil (if you prefer you can use 5-6 fresh basil leaves)
    • ¼-½ teaspoon salt
    • 1 clove garlic minced
    • ½-¾ cup water (59-118 grams)

    EXTRAS

    • ½ cup shredded firm mozzarella (42 grams)
    • ¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (25 grams)
    • ¼-½ cup white sauce (homemade or store bought)
    • 4 cups cooked short pasta

    Instructions
     

    • FOR THE MEATBALLS
    • Soak the bread in milk for about 2 or 3 minutes, then squeeze out moisture and crumble. In a medium bowl combine the crumbled bread with the ground turkey, parmesan cheese, egg,  and spices, mix well. Form the mixture into small meatballs.
    • In a large frying pan add 2 tablespoons of olive oil and brown meatballs on all sides. Remove the meatballs and set aside.
    • FOR THE SAUCE
    • In the same pan add the tomatoes, garlic, spices and water, stir to combine, then add the meatballs and gently combine. Cook until thickened.
    • While pasta is cooking pre-heat the oven at 350F (180C) and lightly grease a medium to large baking dish.
    • While the sauce and meatballs are cooking, cook the pasta a little harder than al dent. Add the drained pasta to the sauce, gently combine, then pour into the prepared baking dish, drizzle with a simple white sauce (bought or homemade). (You can omit the white sauce but believe me it is sooo good with it). Sprinkle with the shredded firm mozzarella and freshly grated parmesan cheese.
    • Bake for about 15-20 minutes. Let sit 5 minutes before serving. 

    Notes

    To make a simple whit sauce – In a small pot over medium heat melt 1/2 tablespoon of butter, then add 1/2 tablespoon of flour and a pinch of salt, combine with a whisk, add 1/2 cup of milk slowly and continue to stir until very thick.
    Be sure to wrap the casserole tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate. It will last up for about three or four days in the fridge. It can be re-heated in a 325F oven for about 10-15 minutes or until heated throughout.
    The casserole can also be frozen, be sure to cool completely (and make sure the baking dish is freezer safe), cover with an airtight freezer safe bag and freeze for up to one to two months.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 418kcalCarbohydrates: 44gProtein: 31gFat: 13gSaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 87mgSodium: 951mgPotassium: 692mgFiber: 5gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 452IUVitamin C: 13mgCalcium: 182mgIron: 4mg
    Keyword Italian penne pasta casserole, meatball casserole, turkey meatballs
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    Updated from April 28, 2015.

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      Casseroles & Bakes, Chicken, Fall/Winter, Main Dish, Pasta

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      1. Maryann says

        October 10, 2022 at 2:15 pm

        What is your proportions for the homemade white sauce?

        Reply
        • Rosemary says

          October 10, 2022 at 6:47 pm

          Hi Maryann, I do include the proportions in the post, I have now added them to the recipe. Hope that helps, let me know. Take care!

          Reply
      2. James says

        December 19, 2021 at 10:30 pm

        5 stars
        This looks amazing! i have to make this during the weekend. you have some amazing recipes!
        but I do have one question for you Rosemary, can you make a Chicken boscaiola recipe, please. i am curious as to what mushrooms and ingredients you might use. Thank you.

        Reply
        • Rosemary says

          December 20, 2021 at 7:28 pm

          Hi James, thanks let me know how it goes. I am pretty sure my MIL made that a couple of times, I will have to ask about it. Although there are 2 ways to make with a red sauce or white sauce. Let me know.

          Reply
      3. Adrienne says

        January 24, 2021 at 3:05 pm

        5 stars
        I’ve been gearing up to make this recipe for a week now. So excited! Looking it over again I have two questions:

        1. Dried basil or fresh for the sauce?
        2. The Parmesan for the meatballs, how much goes in there?

        Reply
        • Rosemary says

          January 24, 2021 at 4:54 pm

          Hi Adrienne, you can use fresh or dry basil, and 1/2 cup parmesan cheese, sorry I updated the recipe, thanks for letting me know, and I hope you enjoy it. Let me know how it goes. Take care.

          Reply
          • Adrienne says

            January 25, 2021 at 12:07 am

            5 stars
            Oh my goodness, this was absolutely delicious! Thank you so much for such a great dinner dish!

          • Rosemary says

            January 25, 2021 at 5:07 pm

            Hi Adrienne, thanks so much so glad you enjoyed it. Have a great week.

      4. Marisa says

        April 28, 2015 at 10:59 pm

        5 stars
        Yum!! It looks wonderful. To me the kitchen is the heart of the whole house and not matter how many times we have family or guests and we’re getting the last minute things together we are in the kitchen talking about —–FOOD! I will definitely make this recipe. Grazie!

        Reply

      Hi, I'm Rosemary.

      Living in Italy I learned to cook authentic Italian dishes using whole ingredients, fresh veggies and delicious spices. So take a seat and have a taste! Read More

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