Mini Healthier Italian Meatball Skewers
Prep time: 
Cook time: 
Total time: 
 
Ingredients
  • For the Meatballs
  • 1 lb ground turkey
  • 2 lb sweet italian sausage, casings removed
  • ½ cup panko crumbs (may substitute almond meal for paleo/gluten free)
  • ⅓ low fat milk (substitute egg yolk instead)
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 tsp red pepper flakes (may substitute black pepper)
  • 2 tsp italian seasoning (Or you may do a ½ tsp of each - oregano, parsley, basil, thyme & ¼ tsp rosemary)
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • For the Sauce
  • 28 oz can tomato sauce (plain, nothing added, just tomatoes already pureed)
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 2 tsp brown sugar (may substitute honey)
  • 4 tbsp fresh basil, chopped.
  • Salt & Pepper to taste
  • Wooden Skewers (optional)
Instructions
  1. First soak your panko crumbs in your milk for about ten minutes (if paleo mix almond meal with egg yolk).
  2. Next in a large bowl add your ground turkey, sausage, and spices. Add your panko/milk mixture. Mix with hands until combined (don't over do it here).
  3. Grabbing about a tbsp worth of meat, shape meat into balls. Repeat until all of meat is used. This recipe produces about 50 small meatballs.
  4. In a large pan add two tbsp of olive oil. Heat over medium high and then add your meatballs enough to cover bottom of pan but not over crowd. I was able to fit about 15 at a time. Brown all sides for about 8-10 minutes. Remove from pan and place on a paper towel lined plate. This will help soak up some of that fat/oil. Repeat this step until all of the meatballs are browned on all sides.
  5. Remove about ¾ of the oil that is left in the pan and then place pan back over heat, lowering it to simmer.
  6. Add your tomato sauce, paste and brown sugar. Let heat up for about a minute. Add your fresh basil and then salt & pepper to taste.
  7. Next add your meatballs, again about 15 at a time and cover them with sauce. Allow to finish cooking about 5-10 minutes. Remove one meatball to check to see if they are done. Repeat this step until all meatballs are covered in sauce and have finished cooking.
  8. When all meatballs are done, place about 3-4 on a skewer (optional) and they are ready to serve!
Recipe by My Lavender Blues at https://mylavenderblues.com/mini-healthier-italian-meatball-skewers-kebobs/