Learn how to make turkey meatballs and you’ll never argue over what to have for dinner again. These Turkey Meatballs with Bruschetta Sauce have a flavorful marinara and are so easy to make.
This recipe brings comfort, freshness, and a hint of Italian flair to your table. No heavy marinara needed.
This easy dinner recipe was originally published in June 2012. I updated the recipe notes and added new images in January 2026.
Aimee’s Recipe Notes
Using my favorite Bruschetta recipe as my starting point, I got to work creating a delicious, easy dinner.
Taste & Texture: Juicy meatballs with a bright, fresh tomato bruschetta sauce.
Serving Suggestions: Delicious over pasta, polenta, or even light zucchini noodles. Also quite taste on a sub sandwich!
Make Ahead: Both the meatballs and sauce can be made ahead of time. Freeze the meatballs after baking for longer storage.
Yum! This recipe was so delicious and tasty! My son loved this recipe. I will definitely be making this recipe again!
– Beth
Important Ingredient Notes
- Ground Turkey- This is my basic meatball recipe. Today I’ve used ground turkey, to keep dinner a little lighter. However, you can also swap out the turkey and use ground beef, ground chicken, or a combination of flavors.
- Bread Crumbs- These help bind the meatballs. Use fresh, homemade crumbs or store bought.
- Garlic and Herbs- Meatballs need flavor, as does the sauce. Fresh basil is key to making the homemade bruschetta sauce.
- Tomatoes- A combination of fresh and canned tomatoes is key for this sauce. You can use canned diced tomatoes, but you’ll lose some of the fresh flavor you seek.
Be sure to scroll to the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients with measurements.
How to Make Meatballs and Sauce
First, mix all the meatball ingredients together in a large bowl. I use ground turkey, bread crumb, eggs and Italian seasoning for these, along with several shakes of garlic powder and some fresh ground pepper.
Next, scoop the mixture into balls. I use my cookie scoop to divide them into even sections, then use my hands to roll them into tight spheres about 1 1/2 inches across. Place the meatballs on a lightly greased baking sheet and bake for about 20 minutes, until golden brown.
This is one of the easiest pasta sauces I’ve ever made! And I know my easy pasta sauces.
You could serve your meatballs with Homemade Spaghetti Sauce or a jarred sauce, but this time I wanted something with a lot more basil and cheese involved!
I started with a can of plain tomato sauce. To get the “Bruschetta” flavor, I added:
- Fresh diced Roma tomatoes – you could used diced canned tomatoes here
- Fresh Basil leaves – can’t find fresh basil? Many stores carry basil in a tube in the produce section! Still fresh and more flavor than dried basil.
- Garlic (and lots of it!)
- Red wine vinegar
- Parmesan cheese
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Stir everything together in a sauce pan and let it simmer the whole time the meatballs are baking. The chunky pieces of tomato, fragrant garlic and basil make this a sauce that falls firmly into “WOW” territory.
It’s hardly any more time consuming than warming a jarred sauce on the stove top and the flavor is unbeatable. If you’re one of those people (like me) who is always adding extra garlic to recipes, you’re going to fall head over heels for my Bruschetta Pasta Sauce!
More Tips & Tricks
- To keep meatballs from sticking: Use a pan liner or parchment paper on your baking sheet. You can also lightly coat the pan with cooking spray or olive oil before adding the meatballs.
- What seasoning to use: Any store bought Italian seasoning mix will do just fine. If you don’t have that, make your own homemade seasoning blend.
- How long will these keep? Turkey meatballs will keep for about 3 days in the fridge and up to 3 months in the freezer. I love them best when they are hot and toasty from the oven!
More Easy Dinner Recipes
- This hearty Chili Mac will warm your hearts, homes, and definitely your bellies!
- My family loves this Parmesan Crusted Tilapia that goes great with some Roasted Broccoli on the side!
- Make some of these delicious and flavorful Cocktail Meatballs that will be enjoyed by all!
- These Zucchini Meatballs are a great vegetarian recipe!
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Turkey Meatballs with Bruschetta Sauce Recipe
Ingredients
For the meatballs:
- 1 pound ground turkey
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup plain breadcrumbs
- 2 Tablespoons Italian Seasoning
- 3 Tablespoons grated parmesan cheese
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 6 cranks fresh ground black pepper
For the Sauce:
- 15 ounce can tomato sauce
- 5 large Roma tomatoes diced
- 2 big handfuls basil snipped
- 4-5 cloves garlic chopped
- ½ teaspoon red wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 6 cranks fresh ground black pepper
- 2 Tablespoons grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
- In large bowl, mix together the meatball ingredients until combined evenly (I use my hands). Roll into 25 balls (about 1 1/2-2 inches). Space evenly on a lightly greased baking sheet. Bake in a 375 degree oven for 16-20 minutes.
- While baking, mix all sauce ingredients together in medium saucepan on low heat. Stir occasionally. Heat until desired temperature.
- To serve, pour sauce over meatballs and enjoy!
Notes
- Swap out the ground turkey for ground beef or ground chicken, or use a combo of flavors here!
- To keep meatballs from sticking: Use a pan liner or parchment paper on your baking sheet. You can also lightly coat the pan with cooking spray or olive oil before adding the meatballs.
- What seasoning to use: Any store bought Italian seasoning mix will do just fine. If you don’t have that, make your own homemade seasoning blend.
- How long will these keep? Turkey meatballs will keep for about 3 days in the fridge and up to 3 months in the freezer. I love them best when they are hot and toasty from the oven!
Nutrition
Easy Dinner Recipes
You can’t go wrong with this kid friendly healthy recipe. Raise your hand if Turkey Meatballs with Bruschetta Pasta Sauce are now on tonight’s dinner menu!
I made these today to put in the freezer; I have 4 bags of 10 each – there were more but I ate them out of the oven. These smell amazing and are super easy! No mess. Thanks!
Yum! This recipe was so delicious and tasty! My son loved this recipe. I will definitely be making this recipe again!
These meatballs are so good! The sauce was delicious too! Can’t wait to make them again!
I am thinking big giant sub sandwich too…covered in mozzarella cheese! LOL there goes the healthy part of these meatballs! These do sound super scrumptious!!! And baking paper that keeps me from not having to clean the baking sheets…LOVE!!!
Hi from Mom!!
Hi Mom! Thanks again for the tip on the pan liner!
Yum! This dish sounds fantastic. I love the idea of a bruschetta sauce – so fresh and light. Just perfect for summer! Pinned 🙂
Fantastic, I would stuff them in a hoagie with melted cheese and have me a meatball sandwich 🙂
Oh man that sounds good. Normally that may have been how we would eat these. Hoagies and cheese make everything better!
Those look yummy! I love turkey meatballs. And I’m definitely going to have to look for that foil.