Skinny Turkey Meatball Lettuce Wraps (Printable Version)

Tender turkey meatballs in crisp lettuce cups with bright marinara—a fresh take on comfort food.

# What You'll Need:

→ Turkey Meatballs

01 - 1 lb lean ground turkey
02 - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
03 - 1/4 cup gluten-free breadcrumbs
04 - 1 large egg
05 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
06 - 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
07 - 1 tsp dried oregano
08 - 1/2 tsp salt
09 - 1/4 tsp ground black pepper

→ Marinara Sauce

10 - 1 tbsp olive oil
11 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
12 - 1 can (15 oz) crushed tomatoes
13 - 1/2 tsp dried basil
14 - 1/2 tsp dried oregano
15 - 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
16 - Salt and pepper to taste

→ Serving

17 - 1 large head butter lettuce or romaine, leaves separated and washed
18 - Extra grated Parmesan cheese optional
19 - Fresh basil leaves for garnish

# Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - In a large bowl, combine ground turkey, Parmesan cheese, breadcrumbs, egg, minced garlic, fresh parsley, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper until just incorporated without overmixing.
03 - Roll mixture into 1-inch meatballs and arrange on the prepared baking sheet in a single layer.
04 - Bake for 18 to 20 minutes until meatballs are cooked through and lightly browned.
05 - While meatballs bake, heat olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
06 - Stir in crushed tomatoes, dried basil, dried oregano, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Simmer uncovered for 10 to 12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until sauce thickens slightly.
07 - Transfer baked meatballs to the marinara sauce and gently toss until fully coated.
08 - Place 2 to 3 meatballs with sauce in each lettuce leaf. Top with additional Parmesan cheese and fresh basil if desired.
09 - Serve immediately while warm.

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • It feels indulgent like a meatball sub, but leaves you satisfied rather than sluggish afterward.
  • Everything comes together in under an hour, making weeknight cooking feel manageable instead of daunting.
  • The sauce tastes genuinely homemade and bright, nothing like jarred versions sitting on store shelves.
02 -
  • Don't let the meatball mixture sit in the bowl for too long before rolling and baking—the egg starts binding everything together and they become denser by the minute.
  • Fresh basil added at the very end, not cooked into the sauce, keeps it bright and herbaceous instead of turning dark and muted.
03 -
  • Room temperature ingredients mix more evenly, so pull your egg and turkey from the fridge ten minutes before cooking.
  • The moment garlic hits hot oil, it's already counting down to burned—sauté for barely a minute to keep it golden and sweet instead of bitter.
Return