Polpette di Tacchino al Sugo (Turkey Meatballs in Tomato Sauce)
Soft, herby turkey meatballs baked until golden then simmered in tomato sauce, ready to pile on spaghetti.
Made with Basic tomato sauce. Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time55 min
- LevelEasy
- Costabout £1.45 a head
- Oven200°C (180°C fan)
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Ingredients
Tick what you need to buy. It goes on your shopping list.
Method
- 1
Heat the oven to 200°C (180°C fan). Line a baking tray with baking paper. Soak the breadcrumbs in the milk for 5 minutes.
5 min - 2
Mix the turkey, soaked crumbs, egg, parmesan, garlic, parsley, 1 teaspoon salt and plenty of pepper with your hands. Do not overwork it.
- 3
Roll into 20 balls the size of a golf ball. Brush with the oil and bake for 18 minutes until golden.
18 min - 4
Meanwhile warm your ready made basic tomato sauce (see the base recipe) in a wide pan until bubbling.
- 5
Tip the meatballs into the sauce and simmer for 8 minutes. Cut one open: there should be no pink and the juices should run clear.
8 min - 6
Cook the spaghetti in salted boiling water to the packet time, drain, and toss with a ladleful of sauce. Top with the meatballs and sauce.
10 min
Tips
- Turkey mince is lean, so the milk-soaked breadcrumbs matter. They keep the meatballs soft rather than dry.
- Wet your hands before rolling so the mix does not stick.
- Baking first keeps the meatballs whole and saves frying in batches.
Storing and freezing
Cool within 90 minutes. Keep in the fridge for up to 3 days, or freeze the meatballs in sauce for up to 3 months. Reheat until steaming hot all the way through.
Questions
Can I make these gluten free?
Yes. Use gluten free breadcrumbs and gluten free spaghetti, and the meatballs will suit coeliacs. Check the parmesan label too.
Can I freeze the uncooked meatballs?
Yes. Freeze the shaped raw balls on a tray, then bag them for up to 3 months. Cook from frozen, adding about 8 minutes to the baking time.
Why are my turkey meatballs dry?
Usually overcooking or too little moisture. Keep the soaked crumbs in, bake only until 75C inside or no pink remains, then finish in the sauce.
More made with basic tomato sauce
Double check before you cook. Recipes can contain mistakes. Any diet labels come from the ingredients as written in this recipe and are a guide, not a guarantee. Always check every ingredient and the packet label for allergens and cross contamination, and ask your doctor or dietitian what is right for you, especially with coeliac disease, diabetes or a serious allergy. This is not medical advice.