Cajun Spiced Turkey Meatballs with Creole Tomato Sauce
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
Affiliate disclosure: AislePrompt may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through Amazon links, at no additional cost to you. See our policy →
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- 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.
- Step 2: Shape the mixture into 1 1/2-inch meatballs, about 16 pieces.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Step 6: Return meatballs to the skillet, cover, and simmer on low heat for 15 minutes until meatballs are cooked through and sauce thickens.
- Step 7: Serve meatballs and Creole tomato sauce over cooked rice or pasta.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Cajun Spiced Turkey Meatballs with Creole Tomato Sauce take to make?
Total time is about 45 minutes (20 min prep + 25 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Cajun Spiced Turkey Meatballs with Creole Tomato Sauce?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep ground turkey from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Cajun Spiced Turkey Meatballs with Creole Tomato Sauce?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Cajun Spiced Turkey Meatballs with Creole Tomato Sauce for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Cajun Spiced Turkey Meatballs with Creole Tomato Sauce?
Southern American one pot like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
