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Easy Mini Turkey Meatball Lunchbox Cups

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These Easy Mini Turkey Meatball Lunchbox Cups are tender, saucy meatballs baked in a muffin tin, perfect for meal prep and portable lunches. Made with simple ingredients like ground turkey, Parmesan, and marinara, they are a crowd-pleasing, protein-packed solution for busy weeks.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb lean ground turkey (93/7)
  • 1/2 cup plain breadcrumbs
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/2 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 cup your favorite marinara sauce (plus more for serving)
  • Optional: 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh parsley

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Spray a 12-cup standard muffin tin generously with non-stick cooking spray.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, combine ground turkey, breadcrumbs, egg, Parmesan cheese, minced garlic, oregano, salt, and black pepper. Mix gently with your hands until just combined; do not overmix.
  3. Spoon about 1 tablespoon of marinara sauce into the bottom of each prepared muffin cup.
  4. Using a cookie scoop or tablespoon, portion the meat mixture into 12 equal balls. Place one ball into each muffin cup on top of the sauce.
  5. Spoon another tablespoon of marinara sauce over the top of each meatball.
  6. Bake for 18-22 minutes, until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) and the edges are browned and caramelized.
  7. Remove from the oven and let rest in the pan for 5 minutes. Gently loosen the edges with a small spoon or butter knife and remove the cups.
  8. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired. Serve warm or let cool completely for lunchboxes.

Notes

Do not overmix the meat mixture to keep meatballs tender. Let meatballs rest in the pan for 5 minutes after baking to allow juices to redistribute. For even cooking, use a cookie scoop for uniform portions. If using a dark muffin tin, start checking at 16 minutes. These freeze well for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: mini turkey meatball cups, lunchbox meatballs, meal prep meatballs, easy turkey meatballs, kid-friendly meatballs, baked meatballs, muffin tin meatballs

Find it online: https://sagestirs.com/easy-mini-turkey-meatball-lunchbox-cups/