Turkey Italian Meatballs Crock Pot Meal

Italian Meatballs Made with Ground Turkey

Slow Cooker – Freezer Meal

My cost:  $8.43 for me to make.  I had bread crumbs, egg and spices.

 Ingredients:

1 pound ground turkey/ ground beef or  vegetarian option

1/3 cup bread crumbs

2 tablespoons olive oil (divided 1 in meatball mixture,  1 in sauté pan)

1 clove minced garlic

¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese

1 large egg (beaten)

1 teaspoon dried basil

1 teaspoon dried oregano

½ teaspoon crushed red pepper (optional)

1 teaspoon salt

1 gallon freezer bag

1 large sweet onion, sliced

1 large (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes

Parmesan cheese for topping at serving

1 pack of Spaghetti

Instructions:

1. Mix ground turkey, bread crumbs, olive oil, garlic, Parmesan cheese, beaten egg, basil, oregano, red pepper, and salt together, just until mixed.  Do not over work.
2. Roll individual meatballs into desired size. Golf ball size works great.
3. Place rolled meatballs on baking sheet
4. Brown in medium hot skillet (in batches) for 1 minute on each side with olive oil (let cool) Cook in crock pot or …
5. Place in freezer bag with large cut sliced onion and crushed tomatoes, freeze, If making for later.
6. Cooking: place in crock pot frozen or thaw over night
7. Cook on low for 6- 8 hours
8.  Cook Spaghetti separately

Meatballs are always a favorite in my house.  By using turkey instead of beef we can change up our normal recipes and give them a fresh taste.  It is always great to try something new.  If you are just delving into cooking with ground turkey, try adding half turkey and half lean ground beef.  I think you may enjoy the transition better than jumping in head first.

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