Slow-Cooked Garlic and Romano Turkey Meatballs
Experience the delightful flavors of Italian cuisine with these Slow-Cooked Garlic and Romano Turkey Meatballs. Made with Olive Garden's signature seasoned croutons, these meatballs are tender and packed with flavor. After being pan-seared for a golden crust, they are slow-cooked in a rich and hearty spaghetti sauce, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully. This recipe not only showcases the classic Italian taste but also offers versatility; feel free to customize with your favorite herbs or spices. To ensure the perfect flavor, I recommend cooking a trial meatball before frying the batch, allowing you to adjust seasoning to your liking. Serve these delightful meatballs over a bed of noodles or nestled in a soft sub bun for a satisfying meal that will impress family and friends alike.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
7
Ingredients
Ingredients
ground turkey
3 lbs (raw)
Olive Garden Italian Kitchen garlic and romano seasoned croutons
3 cups (blended into breadcrumbs)
eggs
2 (slightly beaten)
low-fat milk
1 1/4 cups (combined with eggs)
salt
3 teaspoons (to taste)
fresh ground black pepper
3 teaspoons (to taste)
vegetable oil
2 tablespoons (for frying)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) if you wish to bake some meatballs instead of pan-searing all of them.
2
In a blender or food processor, pulse the Olive Garden croutons until they form breadcrumbs. Set aside.
3
In a separate bowl, slightly beat the eggs and combine them with low-fat milk. Set aside.
4
In a large mixing bowl, add the ground turkey. Use a spoon to break it up for easier mixing. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
5
Gradually add one-third of the breadcrumb mixture to the turkey, followed by one-third of the milk mixture. Mix thoroughly.
6
Repeat the previous step two more times until all ingredients are fully combined in the bowl.
7
Heat vegetable oil in a cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Shape the meat mixture into medium-sized meatballs.
8
Add the meatballs to the skillet, placing them around the perimeter to brown them evenly on the bottom and one side.
9
Once one side is browned, gently flip the meatballs over to brown the opposite side.
10
Carefully transfer the browned meatballs into a crockpot filled with your favorite spaghetti sauce.
11
Cover and let the meatballs cook on low heat for 1 hour and 30 minutes or until they are thoroughly cooked.
12
Serve the meatballs over cooked pasta or in sub buns, topped with extra sauce if desired.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary protein used in these meatballs?
The primary protein used in this recipe is 3 lbs of ground turkey.
What specific type of croutons are used for the breadcrumbs?
The recipe uses 3 cups of Olive Garden Italian Kitchen garlic and romano seasoned croutons.
How should the croutons be prepared before adding them to the meat?
The croutons should be pulsed in a blender or food processor until they form fine breadcrumbs.
How long do the meatballs need to cook in the slow cooker?
The meatballs should cook in the crockpot on low heat for 1 hour and 30 minutes or until thoroughly cooked.
What temperature should the oven be set to if I choose to bake the meatballs?
If you wish to bake the meatballs, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
What is the recommended method for mixing the breadcrumbs and milk into the turkey?
You should gradually add one-third of the breadcrumb mixture and one-third of the milk mixture at a time, mixing thoroughly between each addition.
What type of skillet is recommended for browning the meatballs?
A cast iron skillet is recommended for heating the vegetable oil and browning the meatballs.
How much milk is required for this recipe?
The recipe requires 1 1/4 cups of low-fat milk.
How many eggs are used in the mixture?
Two eggs, slightly beaten, are used in this meatball recipe.
What is the suggested way to serve these turkey meatballs?
They can be served over a bed of cooked pasta or nestled in a soft sub bun, topped with extra sauce.
Why is it recommended to cook a trial meatball first?
Cooking a trial meatball before frying the whole batch allows you to taste it and adjust the seasoning to your liking.
How much salt and pepper should I use?
The recipe calls for 3 teaspoons of salt and 3 teaspoons of fresh ground black pepper, adjusted to taste.
What setting should the crockpot be on?
The crockpot should be set to low heat for the slow-cooking process.
What kind of sauce are the meatballs cooked in?
The meatballs are slow-cooked in your favorite variety of hearty spaghetti sauce.
How much vegetable oil is needed for frying?
You will need approximately 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil for pan-searing.
What size should the meatballs be shaped into?
The meat mixture should be shaped into medium-sized meatballs.
Can I customize the flavor of these meatballs?
Yes, you can customize the recipe by adding your favorite herbs or additional spices.
How do I ensure the meatballs brown evenly?
Place them around the perimeter of the skillet and gently flip them once the bottom side is browned.
Are these meatballs considered Italian cuisine?
Yes, they are designed to showcase classic Italian flavors using garlic and romano seasoned croutons.
What is the preparation state of the ground turkey at the start?
The recipe starts with 3 lbs of raw ground turkey.
How do you prepare the milk and eggs?
Slightly beat the eggs and then combine them with the low-fat milk in a separate bowl.
Is there a specific brand of croutons mentioned?
Yes, Olive Garden Italian Kitchen brand croutons are specified for this recipe.
Do I need to brown the meatballs before putting them in the slow cooker?
Yes, pan-searing them first creates a golden crust and helps develop the flavor before slow-cooking.
How should I handle the turkey in the mixing bowl?
Use a spoon to break up the ground turkey initially to make mixing easier.
What is the total number of ingredients required?
There are 7 main ingredients listed, excluding the optional spaghetti sauce and serving bases.
What tags are associated with this recipe?
Tags include turkey meatballs, slow cooker recipe, Italian cuisine, Olive Garden inspired, and comfort food.
How many cups of croutons make up the breadcrumb mixture?
3 cups of croutons are used to create the breadcrumb mixture.
What kind of pepper is best for this recipe?
Freshly ground black pepper is recommended for the best flavor.
Can I serve these meatballs as a sub?
Yes, they are excellent when served in a soft sub bun.
Is this a fast-cooking recipe?
No, it is a slow-cooked recipe designed to let the flavors meld over 1.5 hours in a crockpot.