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–+ servings
Turkey Meatballs in Pumpkin Sage Sauce

Turkey Meatballs in Pumpkin Sage Sauce for Cozy Nights

Savory Turkey Meatballs in Pumpkin Sage Sauce is a comforting dish perfect for fall nights. Quick, family-friendly, and made with seasonal flavors.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Freezing Time 20 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American
Calories: 450
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Meatballs
  • 1 pound Ground Turkey 93/7 ratio for moisture and flavor
  • 1 cup Fresh Breadcrumbs or Panko Gluten-free optional
  • 1/4 cup Milk Non-dairy milk works for lactose-free
  • 1 small Onion Finely chopped, can be replaced with shallots or chives
  • 2 cloves Garlic Pressed, or use garlic powder
  • 2 tablespoons Fresh Sage Can swap with thyme or rosemary
  • 1/4 cup Parsley Can be omitted or replaced
  • 1 tablespoon Italian Seasoning Or individual dried herbs like oregano, basil, thyme
  • 1/4 cup Parmesan Cheese Grated, use nutritional yeast or omit for vegan
  • 1 large Egg Use chia seed or flaxseed egg for vegan option
For the Sauce
  • 2 tablespoons Ghee or Unsalted Butter Coconut oil is a dairy-free substitute
  • 1 cup Pumpkin Puree Use pure pumpkin puree, not pie filling
  • 1 cup Chicken Stock Vegetable stock for vegetarian version
  • 1/2 cup Heavy Cream Coconut cream or cashew cream for dairy-free
  • 2 tablespoons Maple Syrup Honey or agave can be used instead

Equipment

  • Skillet
  • Mixing bowl
  • Baking sheet
  • Parchment paper

Method
 

Making the Meatballs
  1. Soak the breadcrumbs in milk for 2-3 minutes. Combine onion, garlic, sage, parsley, Italian seasoning, Parmesan, and egg in a bowl.
  2. Fold in the ground turkey with salt and pepper, being careful not to overmix.
  3. Form the mixture into 2-tablespoon meatballs and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Freeze for 20-25 minutes.
  4. Heat a skillet, add oil, and brown meatballs for about 10 minutes until they reach 165°F internally.
Preparing the Sauce
  1. Sauté onion and garlic in ghee until translucent, about 3-4 minutes.
  2. Stir in pumpkin puree, chicken stock, and seasonings, letting it simmer for 2-3 minutes.
  3. Carefully stir in the browned meatballs, warming for an additional 5 minutes.
  4. Serve the meatballs over pasta or mashed potatoes, garnished with fried sage leaves.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 450kcalCarbohydrates: 32gProtein: 30gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 120mgSodium: 600mgPotassium: 800mgFiber: 4gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 1500IUVitamin C: 5mgCalcium: 200mgIron: 3mg

Notes

This dish pairs well with a salad or roasted vegetables for a complete meal.

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