High Protein Turkey Meatballs

These high protein turkey meatballs are extra moist thanks to the cottage cheese and zucchini. Perfect for meal prep or to pair with your favorite pasta.

Hi friends!

I’ve got a new meatball recipe to share with you today that I’ve been loving lately for meal prep. They’re easy to make, full of flavor and stay nice and juicy thanks to the addition of cottage cheese and shredded zucchini.

If you’re a meatball lover, be sure to check out these other recipes:

• Mediterranean Meatballs
• Carrot Pineapple Turkey Meatballs
• Apple Cheddar Turkey Meatballs
• Crockpot Meatballs
• Cheesy BBQ Meatballs
• Turkey Sweet Potato Meatballs

Why Are These Turkey Meatballs High Protein?

While meatballs are already a high protein option when made regularly, these get an added boost from the addition of cottage cheese. Plus there’s some almond meal, which adds a little extra protein as well.

Lean Protein Options for Meatballs

To keep these high protein meatballs lean, use 90/10 ground beef, 93/7 ground turkey or ground chicken!

How To Keep Turkey Meatballs Juicy

These meatballs are extra juicy thanks to the addition of cottage cheese, as well as zucchini. The moisture from the zucchini really helps. But thanks to the food processor, neither of these additions is super noticeable and you don’t get the chunks of cottage cheese which can be off-putting for some people.

Meal Prep Meatballs (How to Store and Freeze)

These meatballs are great for meal prep because they can easily be made ahead of time and enjoyed all week long. You can also double or even triple this recipe and freeze the meatballs for later.

To freeze, cook as directed and let cool completely. Then transfer to a ziploc bag, seal the bag almost all the way and use a straw to suck out the extra air before sealing the bag.

High Protein Meatball Bowl Ideas

If you’re looking for something beyond just traditional spaghetti and meatballs, these high protein meatballs are great in a bowl. Try them with the carb of your choice. Some good options include:

• Farro
• Rice
• Quinoa
• Roasted potatoes
• Corn

And then add your favorite roasted vegetables like:

• Carrots
• Broccoli
• Green Beans
• Brussels Sprouts

Or try sauteed bok choy or other greens.

Best Sauces for High Protein Meatballs

Sometimes all you need to enjoy meatballs is a good sauce! Some of my favorites include:

• Marinara
• Buffalo Sauce
• Garlic Yogurt Sauce
• Spicy Green Sauce
• The avocado crema in this recipe

How To Bake Meatballs Evenly

These meatballs cook fairly quickly and cooking times will vary depending on the size of the meatballs you make. In most cases, they will cook in about 15 minutes.

To help them cook and brown evenly, it’s best to flip them halfway through.

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Air Fryer High Protein Meatballs

I make these meatballs in the oven but you can easily make them in the air fryer. You can follow the guideance in this air fryer meatball recipe. Cook at 400 degrees for 8-10 minutes, flipping once.

High Protein Meatball Sub

These meatballs would be perfect for making a meatball sub! Cook the meatballs as directed and then place them on a sub bun. Top with a couple of spoonfuls of marinara and your favorite cheese – try sliced provalone or fresh mozzarella. Place under the broiler for 2-3 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Then you can add additional toppings like pesto, fresh baby spinach or arugula.

High Protein Meatball Variations

Dairy-Free Meatballs

If you’re looking for a dairy-free meatball, these probably are not the best choice for you. Try these dairy-free meatballs instead!

Ground Chicken Meatball Variations

If you prefer, you can use ground chicken in this recipe instead of ground turkey. I’ve made them this way and love them, however the meat mixture will be a little wetter and it will be harder to form them into perfect circular balls. That’s ok! Just grab a cookie scooper and scoop the meatballs on to a baking sheet. They might be more like blobs than balls but they will taste great!

Gluten-Free High Protein Meatballs

This recipe is naturally gluten-free because we’re using almond flour as a binder instead of breadcrumbs. If you don’t need them to be gluten-free, feel free to sub breadcrumbs instead if you prefer.

How To Make Meatballs without Breadcrumbs

This recipe uses almond meal to replace the breadcrumbs in traditional meatballs. They, along with the egg, will help act as a binding agent to help hold the meatballs together.

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High Protein Meatball Recipes

Here’s the recipe I use:

Print

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High Protein Meatballs FAQs

How do you make high protein turkey meatballs?

To make these high protein turkey meatballs, we blend the cottage cheese and zucchini with an egg to make them less noticeable and then mix with ground turkey, almond meal, parmesan cheese and spices. Then just form into balls and bake!

Are meatballs a good source of protein?

Yes! Meatballs are a great source of protein, since they’re primarily meat. This recipe has additional protein from the cottage cheese.

Which meat is best for high protein meatballs?

Lean ground turkey or beef is best for high protein meatballs due to their high protein and lower fat content.

How do you keep turkey meatballs moist?

Adding cottage cheese and shredded zucchini help to keep the meatballs moist since they have less fat.

Can you make high protein meatballs without breadcrumbs?

Yes! This recipe uses almond meal instead of breadcrumbs to help act as a binder along with the eggs.

Are turkey meatballs healthier than beef meatballs?

Unless you’re using super lean ground beef, ground turkey meatballs are generally lower in fat than beef meatballs.

Can you freeze high protein meatballs?

Yes! Meatballs freeze very well. Just cook as directed, let cool completely and then freeze in a ziploc bag or freezer-safe container.

Can you make high protein meatballs in the air fryer?

Yes! Meatballs cook well in the air fryer. Cook them in a single layer even if you have to do them in batches. I would cook them at 400 degrees for 8-9 minutes, flipping halfway through.

What goes with high protein meatballs?

These meatballs pair well with pasta like traditional meatballs but can also be served in other ways. You can put them on a meatball sub, or add them to a salad. You can also serve them in a bowl with your favorite grain and some roasted vegetables.

Can kids eat high protein turkey meatballs?

Yes! These meatballs are a great option for kids and an easy way to help them meet their daily protein intake.

How do you make gluten-free high protein meatballs?

These meatballs are naturally gluten-free because we’re subbing almond meal for the traditional breadcrumbs.

Can you use ground chicken for high protein meatballs?

Yes! This recipe is great with ground chicken. Just remember that the mixture will be a little wettter than when using turkey and it will be harder to form them into perfect balls. But if you use an ice cream scoop and plop them on a baking sheet you’ll be good to go!

What sauces pair best with turkey meatballs?

These meatballs pair well with any sauce thanks to their mild flavor. Top them with marinara, buffalo sauce, yogurt sauce or avocado creama.

How do you meal prep high protein meatballs?

These meatballs are great because they can be made ahead of time. Make a batch and store them in the fridge and then simply reheat in the microwave as needed.

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Enjoy!
–Lindsay–