Cajun Spiced Turkey Meatballs with Creole Tomato Sauce

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-17 · Updated 2026-05-17

Tender turkey meatballs infused with Cajun spices simmered in a zesty Creole tomato sauce, perfect served over rice or pasta. This Southern American-inspired one-pot recipe, ready in about 45 minutes, pairs ground turkey, breadcrumbs, egg for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 400 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground turkey
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
• 1 large egg
• 2 stalks, finely chopped green onion
• 1 tbsp Cajun seasoning
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes with juice
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 small, diced yellow onion
• 1 small, diced green bell pepper
• 1, diced celery stalk
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1 tsp hot sauce
• 1/2 cup water
• for serving cooked rice or pasta

The pan we’d use for this → Best Nonstick Cookware for 2026: Top 5 Skillet Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large bowl, combine 1 lb ground turkey, 1/2 cup breadcrumbs, 1 large egg, 2 finely chopped green onions, 1 tbsp Cajun seasoning, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Mix gently until just combined.
2. Step 2: Shape the mixture into 1 1/2-inch meatballs, about 16 pieces.
3. Step 3: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the meatballs in batches and cook for 3-4 minutes per side until browned but not fully cooked through. Remove and set aside.
4. Step 4: In the same skillet, add 1 small diced yellow onion, 1 small diced green bell pepper, and 1 diced celery stalk. Sauté for 5 minutes until softened.
5. Step 5: Stir in 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes with juice, 2 tbsp tomato paste, 1 tsp dried thyme, 1 tsp hot sauce, and 1/2 cup water. Bring to a simmer.
6. Step 6: Return meatballs to the skillet, cover, and simmer on low heat for 15 minutes until meatballs are cooked through and sauce thickens.
7. Step 7: Serve meatballs and Creole tomato sauce over cooked rice or pasta.