Average Rating: 5TOTAL TIME: Prep: 45 min. Cook: 4 hours
YIELD: 12 servings.Ingredients
- 3 slices white bread, torn into small pieces
- 1/2 cup fat-free milk
- 2 pounds lean ground turkey
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup minced fresh parsley
- 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
SAUCE:- 2 medium onions, chopped
- 1 medium green pepper, chopped
- 2 cans (28 ounces each) crushed tomatoes in puree
- 2 cans (6 ounces each) tomato paste
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 2 bay leaves
- Hot cooked pasta
- Additional minced fresh parsley and grated Parmesan cheese, optional
Instructions
- 1. Preheat broiler. Combine bread and milk in a large bowl; let stand until liquid is absorbed. Add next eight ingredients; mix lightly but thoroughly. Shape into 1-1/2-in. balls; place on a greased rack of a broiler pan. Broil 5-6 in. from heat until lightly browned, 4-5 minutes.
- 2. For the sauce, in a 6-qt. slow cooker, mix the next nine ingredients. Add bay leaves and meatballs; gently stir into sauce.
- 3. Cook, covered, on low until meatballs are cooked through, 4-5 hours. Discard bay leaves. Serve with pasta; if desired, sprinkle with additional parsley and Parmesan cheese.
- 4.
Freeze option: Omitting additional parsley and Parmesan cheese, freeze cooled meatball mixture in freezer containers. To use, partially thaw in refrigerator overnight. Microwave, covered, on high in a microwave-safe dish until heated through, stirring gently and adding a little water if necessary. If desired, sprinkle with additional parsley and Parmesan.
Nutrition Facts
3 meatballs with 2/3 cup sauce: 239 calories, 8g fat (2g saturated fat), 85mg cholesterol, 588mg sodium, 23g carbohydrate (11g sugars, 4g fiber), 22g protein.
Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 1-1/2 starch.
