What a delicious and healthy meal! Here's the complete recipe for Garlic Butter Turkey Meatballs with Zucchini Noodles:
**Ingredients:**
For the Turkey Meatballs:
* 1 pound ground turkey
* 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
* 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
* 2 cloves garlic, minced
* 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
* 1 egg
* 1/4 teaspoon salt
* 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
* 2 tablespoons olive oil
* 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
* 2 cloves garlic, minced (additional for butter mixture)
For the Zucchini Noodles (Zoodles):
* 2 medium zucchinis
* 1 tablespoon olive oil
* Salt, to taste
* Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
* Optional: 1 clove garlic, minced (for added flavor)
**Additional ingredients for variations:**
* For Italian-style: 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil, 1/4 cup grated mozzarella cheese
* For Spicy: 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes, 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
* For Mediterranean: 1/4 cup chopped fresh oregano, 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
* For Asian-inspired: 1/4 cup chopped scallions, 1/4 cup soy sauce (optional)
**Instructions:**
**Step 1: Prepare the Zucchini Noodles (Zoodles)**
1. Preheat a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat.
2. Wash and dry the zucchinis. Use a spiralizer or a vegetable peeler to create zoodles.
3. In a colander, salt the zoodles and let them sit for 10-15 minutes to draw out excess moisture.
4. Rinse the zoodles under cold running water to remove excess salt. Dry them with a paper towel.
5. In the preheated skillet or wok, add the olive oil and swirl it around to coat the bottom.
6. Add the zoodles and cook for 3-5 minutes, or until they're tender but still crisp. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
7. If desired, add garlic for extra flavor and cook for an additional minute.
**Step 2: Make the Turkey Meatballs**
1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. In a large bowl, combine the ground turkey, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, garlic, parsley, egg, salt, and black pepper. Mix everything with your hands until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
3. Use your hands to shape the mixture into meatballs, about 1 1/2 inches (3.8 cm) in diameter. You should end up with around 20-25 meatballs.
4. Place the meatballs on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, leaving some space between each meatball to allow for even cooking.
5. Drizzle the olive oil over the meatballs and gently roll them to distribute the oil evenly.
6. Bake the meatballs in the preheated oven for 18-20 minutes, or until cooked through and lightly browned on the outside.
**Step 3: Make the Garlic Butter**
1. While the meatballs are baking, mix together the softened butter, minced garlic, and a pinch of salt in a small bowl until well combined.
**Step 4: Assemble and Serve**
1. Once the meatballs are done, remove them from the oven and let them cool for a few minutes.
2. Add the garlic butter to the meatballs and toss them gently to coat evenly.
3. Add the cooked zoodles to a serving bowl or platter. Top with the garlic butter meatballs and garnish with additional parsley, if desired.
4. Serve immediately and enjoy!
**Tips and Variations:**
* To make Italian-style meatballs, add 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil and 1/4 cup grated mozzarella cheese to the meatball mixture.
* To make Spicy meatballs, add 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes and 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper to the meatball mixture.
* To make Mediterranean-style meatballs, add 1/4 cup chopped fresh oregano and 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese to the meatball mixture.
* To make Asian-inspired meatballs, add 1/4 cup chopped scallions and 1/4 cup soy sauce (optional) to the meatball mixture.
* For extra flavor, add 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese to the meatball mixture.
* To make meatball subs, place 2-3 meatballs on a sub roll, add some marinara sauce, and top with melted mozzarella cheese.
Enjoy your delicious Garlic Butter Turkey Meatballs with Zucchini Noodles!
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