Do you love the flavors of a traditional Thanksgiving dinner but dread the hours of prep and roasting involved? What if you could capture all that savory, herby goodness—tender turkey, aromatic stuffing, and rich gravy—in a single, bite-sized package?

Contents

Ingredients
Timing
Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Preheat and Sauté Aromatics
Step 2: Prepare the Stuffing Mix
Step 3: Combine Meat and Stuffing
Step 4: Shape and Bake
Step 5: Broil for Color
Step 6: Serve

Nutritional Information
Healthier Alternatives
Serving Suggestions
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Storing Tips
Conclusion
FAQs

Q1: Can I use only ground turkey?
Q2: Can I make these gluten-free?
Q3: Do I have to use Stovetop stuffing?
Q4: Can I cook these in a slow cooker?

Turkey and Stuffing Meatballs (Thanksgiving in a Bite!)

Description
Ingredients
Instructions
Notes
Nutrition
Did you make this recipe?

These Turkey and Stuffing Meatballs are the ultimate holiday hack! This ingenious recipe combines lean ground turkey with classic stuffing ingredients right in the meatball, creating a dish that tastes like a full turkey dinner rolled into one. Perfect for a festive appetizer, a meal prep lunch, or a simple weeknight dinner when you’re craving comfort food, these meatballs are moist, flavorful, and ready in under an hour. Get ready to experience “Thanksgiving in a bite”!

Ingredients

This recipe cleverly uses boxed stuffing mix to pack in maximum flavor with minimal effort.

Ingredient	Amount/Quantity	Notes
Ground Turkey (85% lean)	1 lb.	Lean but flavorful
Ground Sausage	½ lb.	Adds richness and spice
Turkey Stovetop Stuffing	1 (6 oz.) box	The flavor secret weapon!
Yellow Onion, minced	½ cup	Adds sweetness and depth
Celery, very finely diced	1 rib	Classic aromatic
Chicken Broth	¾ cup	Keeps meatballs moist
Water	¼ cup
Unsalted Butter, divided	4 tablespoons
Large Egg, whisked	1	Binds everything together
Salt and Pepper	To taste

Timing

These meatballs come together quickly, making them perfect for busy nights or last-minute gatherings.

Preparation Time: 25 minutes
Cooking Time: 17 minutes (Bake + Broil)
Total Time: Approximately 45 minutes

Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these simple steps to create savory, tender meatballs that are bursting with holiday flavor.

Step 1: Preheat and Sauté Aromatics

Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a light-colored baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it.

Melt 2 tablespoons (half) of the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the minced onion and finely diced celery. Sauté, stirring frequently, for 5-6 minutes until the vegetables are softened and fragrant.

Actionable Tip: Mincing the vegetables finely ensures they blend seamlessly into the meatballs and cook through perfectly.

Step 2: Prepare the Stuffing Mix

Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter, the chicken broth, and the water to the saucepan with the vegetables. Increase heat to bring the liquid to a boil. Once boiling, stir in the box of stuffing mix. Reduce the heat to low and stir gently until the liquid is absorbed and the stuffing is combined. Remove from heat.

Transfer the stuffing mixture to a large bowl and let it cool for 2-3 minutes.

Actionable Tip: It’s crucial to let the stuffing cool slightly so it doesn’t cook the raw egg when you add it in the next step.

Step 3: Combine Meat and Stuffing

Season the ground turkey with a pinch of salt and pepper and add it to the bowl with the slightly cooled stuffing. Add the ground sausage and the whisked egg. Using your hands or a sturdy spoon, mix everything together until evenly combined.

Actionable Tip: Do not overmix! Mix just until the ingredients are incorporated. Overworking the meat can result in tough, dense meatballs.

Step 4: Shape and Bake

Using a cookie scoop or your hands, roll the mixture into 1 ¾ inch meatballs. Place them on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them evenly apart so they brown nicely.

Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes.

Step 5: Broil for Color

After 15 minutes, switch the oven to Broil (High) at 450°F. Broil the meatballs for 2 minutes.

Actionable Tip: Watch them closely! The sugar in the stuffing mix can burn quickly. You want them beautifully golden brown, not charred.

Step 6: Serve

Remove the meatballs from the oven. Serve them hot with your favorite sides like mashed potatoes, gravy, green beans, and cranberry sauce for the full experience!

Nutritional Information

Nutritional information is an estimate per serving (assuming roughly 4 meatballs per serving). Values can vary based on specific brands used.

Calories: Approx. 350-400 kcal
Protein: 25-30 g
Carbohydrates: 20-25 g
Fat: 20-25 g
Saturated Fat: 8-10 g
Sodium: High (due to stuffing mix and sausage)

Healthier Alternatives

You can lighten up this comfort food classic with a few adjustments:

Turkey Sausage: Swap the pork sausage for turkey sausage to reduce the overall fat content.
Low-Sodium: Use low-sodium chicken broth and a low-sodium stuffing mix if available to control salt intake.
Extra Veggies: Finely grate a carrot or zucchini and sauté it with the onions and celery for hidden vegetables and extra moisture.
Leaner Turkey: Use 93% or 99% lean ground turkey, though you may need to add a splash more broth to keep them moist.

Serving Suggestions

These Turkey and Stuffing Meatballs are incredibly versatile!

The “Mini Thanksgiving”: Serve alongside mashed potatoes, a ladle of turkey gravy, and a side of cranberry sauce for dipping.
Appetizer Platter: Stick a toothpick in each meatball and serve with a trio of dips: gravy, cranberry mustard, and BBQ sauce.
Meatball Subs: Load them into a sub roll, top with mozzarella cheese, and broil for a Thanksgiving-style meatball sub.
Pasta Topper: Serve over egg noodles with a creamy mushroom sauce.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

For the best meatballs, steer clear of these common errors:

Overmixing: As mentioned, this leads to tough meatballs. Solution: Mix gently until just combined.
Skipping the Veggie Sauté: Raw onions and celery will be crunchy inside the soft meatball. Solution: Take the 5 minutes to soften them first for better texture and flavor.
Meatballs Too Large/Small: Uneven sizes cook unevenly. Solution: Use a scoop to ensure uniform 1 ¾ inch meatballs.
Burning Under Broiler: Stuffing burns fast. Solution: Stay right by the oven for those final 2 minutes.

Storing Tips

These meatballs reheat beautifully, making them great for meal prep.

Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
Reheat: Microwave gently or warm in a skillet with a little broth or gravy to keep them moist.
Freeze: These freeze perfectly! Place cooled meatballs in a freezer-safe bag or container and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.

Conclusion

Turkey and Stuffing Meatballs are a genius way to enjoy the comforting flavors of a holiday feast without the massive effort. They are juicy, savory, and packed with that signature herb-filled stuffing taste we all love. Whether for a party or a cozy dinner, these meatballs are a delicious reminder that Thanksgiving flavors belong on the menu all year round!

Ready to get your gobble on? Try this recipe tonight and let us know what you think in the comments below! Did you serve them with gravy or cranberry sauce? We love hearing your feedback. Don’t forget to rate the recipe and subscribe for more easy, creative dinner ideas!

FAQs

Q1: Can I use only ground turkey?

Yes, you can use 1.5 lbs of ground turkey and omit the sausage. However, the sausage adds fat and flavor that keeps the meatballs juicy. If using only turkey, consider adding an extra tablespoon of butter or oil to the sautéed veggies.

Q2: Can I make these gluten-free?

Yes! Use a certified gluten-free stuffing mix and ensure your sausage and broth are also gluten-free.

Q3: Do I have to use Stovetop stuffing?

You can use any brand of boxed stuffing mix, or even 2-3 cups of leftover homemade stuffing! If using leftovers, skip the boiling water/butter step for the stuffing mixture and just mix the cold stuffing directly with the meat, egg, and sautéed veggies.

Q4: Can I cook these in a slow cooker?

While baking gives them a nice crust, you can slow cook them. Brown them in a skillet or under the broiler first, then place them in a slow cooker with gravy and cook on low for 2-3 hours.