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The Best Easy Mini Turkey Meatball Lunchbox Cups

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These mini turkey meatball cups are baked in a muffin tin for perfectly portioned, tender, and juicy meatballs with crispy edges. They’re a quick, easy, and delicious solution for lunchboxes and meal prep.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb ground turkey (93/7 or 85/15)
  • 1/2 cup breadcrumbs (plain or panko)
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/4 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/4 cup finely diced onion
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/4 cup finely diced bell pepper (red or orange)
  • 1/2 tsp dried oregano
  • 1/2 tsp dried basil
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • Olive oil for greasing
  • Optional: marinara sauce for dipping

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Generously grease a 24-cup mini muffin tin with olive oil.
  2. Finely dice onion and bell pepper into pea-sized pieces.
  3. In a large bowl, whisk together breadcrumbs, Parmesan, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper.
  4. Add egg, garlic, diced onion, bell pepper, and ground turkey. Mix gently with your hands until just combined. Do not overmix.
  5. If mixture seems too wet, add 1 tbsp more breadcrumbs; if too dry, add a splash of milk or water.
  6. Using a small cookie scoop (about 1 tbsp), fill each muffin cup almost to the top. Do not press down.
  7. Bake for 12-14 minutes, until tops are golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
  8. Let cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then run a butter knife around edges and gently remove.
  9. Cool completely on a wire rack before packing for lunches.

Notes

Don’t overmix the meat to keep meatballs tender. Grease the tin well to prevent sticking. Let meatballs rest in pan for 5 minutes before removing. For gluten-free, use gluten-free breadcrumbs or crushed pork rinds. For dairy-free, omit Parmesan or use nutritional yeast. These freeze beautifully for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: mini turkey meatball cups, lunchbox meatballs, turkey meatball muffins, meal prep meatballs, easy turkey meatballs

Find it online: https://twirltaste.com/the-best-easy-mini-turkey-meatball-lunchbox-cups/