Healthy Crockpot Mini Turkey Quinoa Meatballs
Ingredients
- 1 pound 99% lean ground turkey breast
- 1 pound 94% lean ground turkey
- 2/3 cup cooked quinoa, preferably cooked in flavored stock
- 3 garlic cloves, minced or pressed
- 1 large egg, lightly beaten
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons finely grated romano cheese
- 2 teaspoons dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1 large sweet onion, sliced into thin rounds
- 2 (28 ounce) cans crushed tomatoes
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine turkey, quinoa, garlic, beaten egg, olive oil, cheese, basil, oregano, salt and pepper. Mix thoroughly but quickly, just so the ingredients are combined – do not overmix! Roll into mini balls – slightly smaller than a golfball, and place on a baking sheet.
- Layer sliced onion on the bottom of the crockpot and add 1 can of crushed tomatoes.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat (mine was actually almost high) and add 1/2 tablespoon olive oil. Add meatballs, searing on the top and bottom until golden, about 1 minute per side. To flip meatballs, gently toss with a spoon. I also shook the pan a few times to roll the meatballs around – if you pan is hot enough this works! Add meatballs one at a time to the crockpot. Repeat with remaining meatballs – it is okay to stack them once they are all finished.
- Once all the meatballs are in the crockpot, add the other can of crushed tomatoes, completely submerging the meatballs. Cook on low for 6 hours. Serve!
Notes
{don’t skip the browning step! it helps seal the juices in so the meatballs are tender and also keeps them from becoming one giant mess of meat in the crockpot.}
{if desired, you can brown the meatballs one day (such as the day before) and then refrigerate until ready to use. you can also freeze the same way!}
{if desired, you can brown the meatballs one day (such as the day before) and then refrigerate until ready to use. you can also freeze the same way!}
[meatballs adapted from my bite sized baked meatballs]
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