Italian Turkey Crockpot Meatballs

I know this site is usually dedicated for more vegetarian friendly foods, however I do make these for the two non-vegetarians in my household - my hubby and 18 month old daughter. They both LOVE these and I make them quite frequently. So while I hesitated posting to keep this site very vegan/vegetarian/flexitarian friendly, I do like to add foods that I DO actually make for others and this is one of them.

My husband has a love for meatballs and while he doesn’t necessarily add them to spaghetti in the traditional sense, he’s a huge fan of just plain meatballs. This all got started when I met him and he was living as a bachelor in New York City and was picking up store bought meatballs on a daily basis for dinner at Citerilla (a local gourmet grocery store)

I personally found that to be very unhealthy just eating out everyday but he felt it was the best and closest to “home cooked” he would get as he barely had a kitchen! When I first met him I almost didn’t believe how small a kitchen could actually be until I saw his apartment! IN the city, a kitchen means nothing, especially to a man! It’s all about location and natural lighting. Those are first priorities and everything after that was secondary. Like space to make a meal! LOL

So while I gave you the premise for these meatballs please do know that it IS OK to eat out! I just don’t like to make a habit of it as we know making your own meals is always best because we know what’s in it!

Now, lets get to this simple recipe. There are a couple ways to go with this recipe. I added an option for oats or gluten free flour, or really gluten free oats as your binder with the egg. The recipe is so simple and so tasty - per my hubby and child who have a pretty high bar!

Ingredients:

• 1 lb Ground Turkey Organic

• 1/2 yellow onion

• 1 cup oats or gluten free flour of choice

• 2 Cloves garlic chopped

• 1/4 cup olive oil

• 1 tsp basil

• sea salt

• black pepper

• 1 egg

• 1 can of tomato sauce or 1 small can of tomato paste + 8 oz water

Directions:

1. Turn on crockpot to high heat. Pour in olive oil to bottom of crock pot.

2. Mix the following into a bowl. Turkey, chopped onion, flour, 1/2 tsp basil, sea salt, black pepper and egg.

3. roll into balls and place into bottom of crockpot. Each meatball is approx 2 1/2” in diameter.

4. Pour tomato sauce over meatballs. Sprinkle with 1/2 tsp basil. Cook on high for 3 hours.

See the photos below for before and after. Super simple and so delicious! My husband and daughter love these when they get home and I’m not there to cook anything. Makes it so easy for everyone!

If you like this type of recipe, I’d love to hear your feedback below in the comments! Or follow me on Instagram @AngieReneeFitLife and tag me if you make this recipe!

Thanks for following along!

XX Angie