Go Back
Print Recipe
5 from 5 votes

Garlic Butter Turkey Meatballs with Zoodles

These Garlic Butter Turkey Meatballs with Zoodles will convince you that healthy eating can be insanely delicious. You are 30 minutes away from a healthy and tasty meal!
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Total Time30 minutes
Servings: 4 Servings
Author: Maggie @ Cupcakes and Sarcasm, recipe adapted from EatWell

Ingredients

For the Meatballs-

  • 1 Lb Ground Turkey
  • 1/2 Lb Ground Italian Sausage (hot or mild)
  • 1/2 Cup Parmesan Cheese, shredded
  • 4 Large Garlic Cloves, minced
  • 1 Tsp Italian Seasoning
  • 1/2 Tsp Crushed Red Pepper Flakes
  • 1 Tsp Salt
  • 1/2 Tsp Pepper
  • 1/2 Cup Fresh Cilantro, chopped (may substitute with parsley)

For the Zoodles-

  • 3 Large Zucchini, spiralized
  • 2 Garlic Cloves, minced
  • Juice of 1/2 Lemon
  • 1/2 Tsp Crushed Red Pepper Flakes (optional)
  • 1 Tbsp Sriracha or Hot Sauce
  • 1/2 Tsp Salt
  • 1/4 Tsp Pepper

Other-

  • 3 Tbsp Unsalted Butter, divided
  • Chopped Fresh Cilantro (or Parsley), for serving

Instructions

  • First start by removing the excess moisture from the zoodles. Place the zoo does in a bowl and sprinkle the zoodles with about 1 tsp of salt and let them sit for a few minutes. Drain the excess water and then rinse the zoodles under cold water and pat dry. Set aside.
  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line a baking sheet with foil. In a large bowl, combine all of the meatball ingredients and mix well with your hands. Form them into medium sized meatballs and set them on a plate.
  • In a large skillet, melt 2 tbsp of butter over medium heat. Add the meatballs to the skillet (you may need to cook them in 2 batches) and cook for 8 minutes, rolling them around in the butter and juices until the meatballs are nicely browned, and then remove them to the prepared baking sheet. If you have to cook in 2 batches, remove the cooked meatballs to a plate, add another 2 tbsp of butter to the skillet and cook the second batch of meatballs.
  • Pop the meatballs in the oven for 10 minutes to make sure that they are cooked all of the way through. While the meatballs are in the oven, add the remaining tbsp of butter to the skillet that you cooked the meatballs in and melt. Add the garlic and cook until soft and fragrant, about 1 minute. 
  • Add the lemon juice, crushed red pepper flakes, and sriracha. Stir to mix everything and then add the zoodles. Cook the zoodles, stirring often, until they are tender-crisp, about 4 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
  • Add the meatballs back to the skillet and top the skillet with chopped fresh cilantro. Enjoy!