Stovetop Cheesy Turkey Meatball Skillet

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-07-28 · Updated 2026-07-28

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are drafted and published.

Juicy ground turkey meatballs simmered in a savory tomato sauce and topped with melted mozzarella cheese, made entirely on the stovetop for a quick family meal. This Italian-inspired chicken recipe, ready in about 35 minutes, pairs ground turkey, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese 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.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 20 min Serves 4 Italian cuisine 350 cal/serving

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Ingredients

1 lb ground turkey
1/2 cup breadcrumbs
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 large egg
2 cloves minced garlic
1 tsp dried Italian seasoning
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
2 tbsp olive oil
2 cups marinara sauce
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup chopped (optional) fresh basil leaves

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Instructions

Step 1: In a large bowl, combine 1 lb ground turkey, 1/2 cup breadcrumbs, 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, 1 large egg, 2 minced garlic cloves, 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Mix gently until just combined.
Step 2: Shape the mixture into 16 evenly sized meatballs, about 1 1/2 inches each.
Step 3: Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large deep skillet over medium heat. Add the meatballs carefully and cook for 5-6 minutes, turning occasionally to brown all sides until golden and cooked about halfway through.
Step 4: Pour 2 cups marinara sauce over the meatballs in the skillet, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 10 minutes until meatballs are fully cooked and the sauce is hot and fragrant.
Step 5: Sprinkle 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the meatballs and cover again for 2-3 minutes until the cheese melts and bubbles.
Step 6: Remove from heat and garnish with 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil leaves before serving.