Herb-Roasted Turkey Meatballs with Zucchini Noodles
Lean turkey meatballs with fresh herbs, served over zucchini noodles for a low-carb, protein-packed meal that's ready in 30 minutes. This american-inspired whole30 (low-carb) ready in about 35 minutes pairs ground turkey, fresh parsley, fresh basil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 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
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley
- 2 tbsp fresh basil
- 2 garlic cloves
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 2 medium zucchinis
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F. In a bowl, combine ground turkey, chopped parsley, chopped basil, minced garlic, dried oregano, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/8 tsp black pepper. Form into 12 meatballs.
- Step 2: Place meatballs on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake for 15-18 minutes until golden and cooked through.
- Step 3: While meatballs cook, heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add spiralized zucchini and cook for 2-3 minutes until tender. Stir in cherry tomatoes and cook 1 minute more.
- Step 4: Serve meatballs over zucchini noodles, drizzling with remaining 1 tbsp olive oil and extra herbs.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Herb-Roasted Turkey Meatballs with Zucchini Noodles take to make?
Total time is about 35 minutes (15 min prep + 20 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-Roasted 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-Roasted 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-Roasted 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-Roasted Turkey Meatballs with Zucchini Noodles low-carb?
Yes — this recipe is tagged low-carb based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
This has become our go-to whole30 dish. We make it weekly.
- ★★★☆☆
It was fine. Came out a bit bland for my taste.
- ★★★☆☆
Not bad. Would need significant modifications to make it a regular.