
Turkey Meatballs with Parsley Almond Pesto and Zucchini Noodles
An original low-carb recipe featuring juicy turkey meatballs baked until golden, served over zucchini noodles and finished with a fresh parsley, almond, and lemon pesto. It is flavorful, light, and perfect for a complete weeknight meal.
Important notice: This recipe is not medical advice. Consult your healthcare professional.
Ingredients
- 500 g ground turkey (preferiblemente of muslo or mezcla magra)
- 1 unit egg (for ligar)
- 40 g grated Parmesan cheese (divided)
- 30 g almond flour (for the meatballs)
- 3 cloves garlic (2 for the pesto and 1 for the meatballs)
- 2 g dried oregano
- 6 g salt (or to taste)
- 2 g black pepper (or to taste)
- 4 units medium zucchinis (hechos en tallarines)
- 60 ml olive oil (divided)
- 30 g fresh parsley (leaves and stalks tiernos)
- 35 g toasted almonds (unsalted)
- 30 ml lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
- 2 g lemon zest
- 30 ml water (for ajustar the pesto si hace falta)
- 1 g red pepper flakes (optional)
Nutrition facts
per serving
Approximate nutritional information. Estimated from the recipe’s ingredients and amounts, using standard reference nutrition values. It may vary with brands, sizes and cooking method. For guidance only; not a substitute for medical or dietary advice.
Allergens
Instructions
- 1
Preheat the oven to 220 °C / 425 °F. Line a baking tray with parchment paper or lightly grease it with a little of the olive oil.
- 2
In a large bowl, mix the ground turkey, egg, 20 g grated Parmesan cheese, almond flour, 1 finely minced garlic clove, dried oregano, 3 g salt, and black pepper until well combined.
- 3
Shape the mixture into 16 evenly sized meatballs and place them on the tray. Drizzle or brush with 1 tablespoon of the olive oil.
- 4
Bake the meatballs for 18 to 20 minutes at 220 °C / 425 °F, or until golden and fully cooked through.
- 5
While they bake, make the pesto: in a food processor, combine the fresh parsley, toasted almonds, 2 garlic cloves, lemon juice, lemon zest, the remaining 20 g grated Parmesan cheese, 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and the red pepper flakes if using. Blend until thick and saucy. Add the water little by little if you want a looser texture.
- 6
Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the zucchini noodles and sauté for 2 to 3 minutes, just until slightly softened. Season with the remaining salt.
- 7
Transfer the cooked meatballs to the skillet or a large serving dish, add the parsley almond pesto, and toss gently to coat.
- 8
Serve the zucchini noodles on plates and top with the pesto-coated meatballs. Finish with any juices from the tray for extra flavor.
Chef tips
Do not overcook the zucchini or it may release too much water. If you want a more golden finish, broil the meatballs for 1 to 2 minutes at the end, watching closely.
Substitutions
You can swap the turkey for ground chicken. The parsley can be replaced with a mix of parsley and basil. For a dairy-free version, omit the Parmesan and add a bit more almond and salt to the pesto.
What I used to make it
Generic kitchen tools that work for this recipe. You don’t need to buy anything to make it.
Illustrative imageNinja Professional BL610 Blender
Smoothies, sauces and soups
- Smoothies, sauces and soups
- Easy-to-wash jar
- Check the power and jar size
Illustrative imageCosori Pro LE 5 Qt Air Fryer
Browning and baking with little oil
- Browns food with very little oil
- Handy for vegetables, chicken and reheating
- Check the basket capacity
Illustrative imageTempPro TP19H Digital Thermometer
Checking doneness of meat and chicken
- Checks doneness of meat and chicken
- Quick reading
- Clean the probe after each use
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