Creamy Garlic Ranch Turkey (Printer-friendly)

Oven-baked turkey meatballs smothered in a smooth garlic cream sauce with herbs and Parmesan.

# What You'll Need:

→ Turkey Meatballs

01 - 1 lb ground turkey
02 - 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
03 - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
04 - 1 oz ranch seasoning mix
05 - 1 large egg
06 - 2 tbsp milk
07 - 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
08 - 1/2 tsp salt
09 - 1/4 tsp black pepper

→ Garlic Cream Sauce

10 - 2 tbsp unsalted butter
11 - 4 cloves garlic, minced
12 - 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
13 - 1 1/2 cups chicken broth
14 - 1 cup heavy cream
15 - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
16 - 1/2 tsp dried dill
17 - Salt and black pepper to taste
18 - 2 tbsp chopped fresh chives or parsley for garnish

# How To Make It:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
02 - In a large bowl, combine ground turkey, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, ranch seasoning, egg, milk, parsley, salt, and pepper. Mix until just combined without overworking the mixture.
03 - Shape mixture into 20-24 meatballs approximately 1.5 inches each and place on the prepared baking sheet.
04 - Bake meatballs for 18-20 minutes until golden and cooked through, ensuring internal temperature reaches 165°F.
05 - While meatballs bake, melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
06 - Sprinkle flour into the skillet and whisk for 1-2 minutes to form a roux without browning.
07 - Gradually add chicken broth while whisking constantly to avoid lumps. Stir in heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer.
08 - Add Parmesan and dried dill to the sauce. Let simmer for 3-4 minutes until thickened. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
09 - Add baked meatballs to the sauce and turn to coat evenly. Simmer together for 2-3 minutes to meld flavors.
10 - Garnish with fresh chives or parsley. Serve hot over pasta, rice, or mashed potatoes.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Juicy turkey meatballs that stay tender despite using lean meat
  • Ranch seasoning adds bold flavor with minimal effort
  • The silky garlic cream sauce elevates simple ingredients
  • Easy to prepare in under an hour for weeknight meals
  • Versatile serving options from pasta to potatoes
02 -
  • Don't overwork the meat mixture - mix just until combined for tender meatballs
  • Use a cookie scoop for uniformly-sized meatballs that will cook evenly
  • The meatballs should reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) for food safety
  • When making the sauce, add the broth gradually while whisking to prevent lumps
  • Let the sauce simmer until it coats the back of a spoon for the perfect consistency
  • These meatballs freeze beautifully - make a double batch and freeze half for a quick future meal
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