Herb-Crusted Turkey Meatballs with Zucchini Noodles

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A protein-rich sheet pan meal with flavorful turkey meatballs and zucchini noodles for balanced reintroduction phase nutrition. This american-inspired sheet pan (whole30) ready in about 30 minutes pairs ground turkey, olive oil, (chopped) fresh thyme for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 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.

★ 3.9 (13 ratings) Prep: 15 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 American cuisine 350 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F. Mix 1 lb ground turkey with 1 tbsp chopped fresh thyme, 2 minced garlic cloves, 1/2 tsp sea salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper in a bowl until combined.
  2. Step 2: Form mixture into 12 equal meatballs and arrange on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Brush with 1 tbsp olive oil and bake for 15 minutes until golden brown and cooked through.
  3. Step 3: While meatballs bake, heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add 3 medium spiralized zucchini noodles and cook for 3-4 minutes until tender but still crisp, stirring occasionally.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Herb-Crusted Turkey Meatballs with Zucchini Noodles take to make?

Total time is about 30 minutes (15 min prep + 15 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 Herb-Crusted Turkey Meatballs with Zucchini Noodles?

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 Herb-Crusted Turkey Meatballs with Zucchini Noodles?

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 Herb-Crusted Turkey Meatballs with Zucchini Noodles 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.

Is Herb-Crusted Turkey Meatballs with Zucchini Noodles whole30?

Yes — this recipe is tagged whole30 based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.

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