Sheet Pan Turkey Meatballs with Sweet Potatoes
Turkey meatballs stay moist with grated onion and a splash of milk soaked into breadcrumbs, and they roast beside sweet potato cubes with a pinch of cinnamon. Lean turkey dries out fast, so the breadcrumb paste matters.
Sheet Pan Turkey Meatballs with Sweet Potatoes
Course: Main CourseDifficulty: Easy4
servings20
minutes30
minutesTurkey meatballs stay moist with grated onion and a splash of milk soaked into breadcrumbs, and they roast beside sweet potato cubes with a pinch of cinnamon. Lean turkey dries out fast, so the breadcrumb paste matters.
Ingredients
1 1/4 lb ground turkey
2 large sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
1/4 cup milk
1 egg
1 small yellow onion, grated
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon dried sage
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
3 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Directions
- Heat the oven to 425°F and line a half sheet pan with parchment.
- Toss the sweet potato cubes with 2 tablespoons of the oil, the cinnamon and half the salt, and roast them alone for 10 minutes.
- Stir the panko and milk in a large glass mixing bowl and let it sit 3 minutes until it forms a paste.
- Add the turkey, egg, onion, garlic, sage, remaining salt and pepper and mix gently until just combined.
- Roll the mixture into 16 meatballs, about 2 tablespoons each, with wet hands.
- Pull the pan out, stir the sweet potatoes and add the meatballs in the open spaces.
- Brush the meatballs with the remaining oil and roast for 15 to 18 minutes.
- Check that a meatball reads 165°F inside, roast a few more minutes if not, and rest 3 minutes.
Notes
- Wet hands stop the turkey from sticking. Freeze uncooked meatballs on a tray for 1 hour and bag them for up to 3 months. They go well with the crockpot meatballs sauce ideas.
Why the meatballs stay moist
Lean turkey needs help, and the panko and milk paste does it. Grated onion adds moisture without chunks. Mixing only until combined keeps the texture tender instead of rubbery.
Chill the mixture for 10 minutes if it feels sticky. Wet hands matter more than any trick. A small scoop gives you meatballs of the same size, which cook at the same rate.
Swaps and what to avoid
Ground chicken works the same way. A little extra sage or thyme changes the flavor easily. Do not use dry breadcrumbs without soaking them, because they pull moisture out of the meat.
Serving suggestions
Serve over rice or with a green salad. A tomato or gravy-style sauce turns the meatballs into a sub filling.
Raw turkey needs a thermometer, so check a meatball in the middle and not an edge piece. If you freeze them raw on a tray first, they do not stick together in the bag.
Make ahead and freezing
Roll the meatballs a day ahead and keep them covered in the fridge. Wet hands keep the sticky mix from clinging to your fingers. The usual mistake is packing the meatballs tight, which makes them dense.
Sheet Pan Turkey Meatballs with Sweet Potatoes at a glance
- Prep time: 20 minutes
- Cooking time: 30 minutes
- Servings: 4 servings
- Ingredients: 12, led by ground turkey, sweet potatoes, panko breadcrumbs, milk
Tips for Sheet Pan Turkey Meatballs with Sweet Potatoes
Wet hands stop the turkey from sticking. Freeze uncooked meatballs on a tray for 1 hour and bag them for up to 3 months. They go well with the crockpot meatballs sauce ideas.
Sheet Pan Turkey Meatballs with Sweet Potatoes FAQ
How long does Sheet Pan Turkey Meatballs with Sweet Potatoes take?
Sheet Pan Turkey Meatballs with Sweet Potatoes takes 30 minutes of cooking after 20 minutes of prep.
How many people does Sheet Pan Turkey Meatballs with Sweet Potatoes serve?
This recipe makes 4 servings.
What do I need to make Sheet Pan Turkey Meatballs with Sweet Potatoes?
12 ingredients, led by ground turkey, sweet potatoes, panko breadcrumbs, milk. Amounts are in the recipe card above.
Part of: 26 Easy Fall Sheet Pan Dinners for Cozy Weeknights
