Spicy Southwest Turkey Meatballs with Chipotle Tomato Sauce

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-29 · Updated 2026-05-29

Tender turkey meatballs infused with southwestern spices simmered in a smoky chipotle tomato sauce, perfect over rice or pasta. This Latin American-inspired beef recipe, ready in about 50 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 280 calories and feeds 6, 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
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 3/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 14 oz can diced tomatoes
• 2 peppers, minced chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
• 1 small, finely chopped onion
• 3 cloves minced garlic
• 1/2 cup chicken broth
• 2 tbsp chopped, for garnish fresh cilantro

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, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 3/4 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Mix gently until just combined.
2. Step 2: Form the mixture into 18 evenly sized meatballs, about 1.5 inches each.
3. Step 3: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Brown the meatballs on all sides, about 6-8 minutes total, then remove and set aside.
4. Step 4: In the same skillet, add 1 finely chopped small onion and 3 minced garlic cloves, sauté for 3-4 minutes until fragrant and translucent.
5. Step 5: Stir in 14 oz canned diced tomatoes, 2 minced chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, and 1/2 cup chicken broth. Bring to a simmer.
6. Step 6: Return the meatballs to the skillet, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes until meatballs are cooked through and the sauce thickens.
7. Step 7: Garnish with 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro before serving over rice or pasta.