Description
This Caprese Turkey Meatball Pasta Skillet is a flavorful and hearty one-pan Italian-American dish featuring tender turkey meatballs, cherry tomatoes, fresh basil, and creamy mozzarella. Cooked all together in a skillet, it combines the best of Caprese flavors with a comforting pasta meal perfect for any weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Meatballs:
- 1 lb ground turkey
- 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 egg
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
For the Skillet:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 8 oz penne or pasta of choice
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 1/2 cup fresh mozzarella balls (bocconcini or ciliegine)
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
- Extra Parmesan cheese for serving
Instructions
- Make the Meatballs: In a large bowl, combine ground turkey, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, egg, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Mix gently until just combined, then roll the mixture into 1-inch meatballs.
- Brown the Meatballs: Heat olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium heat. Add the meatballs and cook for 6 to 8 minutes, turning them to brown all sides. The meatballs do not need to be cooked through at this point. Remove the meatballs from the skillet and set aside.
- Cook Cherry Tomatoes and Garlic: In the same skillet, add the halved cherry tomatoes. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes until they start to soften. Stir in the minced garlic and optional red pepper flakes, and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.
- Simmer Pasta and Meatballs: Add the uncooked pasta and marinara sauce to the skillet along with 1/2 cup of water. Stir well to combine the ingredients. Nestle the browned meatballs back into the skillet. Cover and simmer on low heat for 15 to 18 minutes, stirring occasionally. Ensure the pasta is tender and the meatballs are cooked through, adding more water if necessary to prevent drying out.
- Finish and Serve: Remove the skillet from heat. Stir in the chopped fresh basil. Top with fresh mozzarella balls and allow them to soften for a couple of minutes. Sprinkle with additional Parmesan cheese before serving warm.
Notes
- For an extra cheesy finish, sprinkle shredded mozzarella on top and broil the skillet for 2–3 minutes until bubbly and golden.
- You can use store-bought cooked meatballs to save time and simply follow the skillet simmering step to finish the dish.
