Ingredients
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Whole wheat bread — 1 slice, mashed for binding
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Skim milk — 2 Tbsp, creates tender texture
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White ground turkey breast — 1 lb, lean and protein-rich
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Medium onion — 1, minced (use 1/4 cup in meatballs; reserve the rest for gravy)
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Garlic cloves — 2, minced, fresh and fragrant
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Salt — 1/2 tsp, enhances flavors
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Black pepper — 1/2 tsp, freshly ground preferred
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Egg yolk — 1, binds meatballs
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Olive oil — 1 Tbsp, for browning
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Mushrooms — 8 oz, sliced, earthy and meaty
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Reduced-sodium chicken broth — 1 1/2 cups, rich base for gravy
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Worcestershire sauce — 1 tsp, umami depth
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Cornstarch — 1 Tbsp, natural thickener
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White wine — 1/4 cup, adds sophistication (or extra broth)
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2% plain Greek yogurt — 1/2 cup, creamy finish
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Fresh parsley — 2 Tbsp, finely chopped, bright garnish
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No yolk egg noodles — 4 oz, cooked separately
Instructions
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Prepare the panade & mix: In a small bowl, mash the whole wheat bread with skim milk to a paste. In a large bowl, combine turkey, 1/4 cup minced onion, garlic, salt, pepper, bread mixture, and egg yolk. Mix gently until just combined; form 20–24 1-inch meatballs. Tip: Wet hands and avoid overmixing for tender texture.
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Brown the meatballs: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat until shimmering. Brown meatballs 2–3 minutes per side (they’ll finish cooking later). Transfer to a bowl; keep drippings in the skillet.
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Build the mushroom base: Add remaining onion to the skillet; cook ~2 minutes until translucent. Add mushrooms; sauté 5–7 minutes until their liquid evaporates. Pour in broth and Worcestershire; bring to a rolling boil. In a cup, stir cornstarch with 1 Tbsp cold water to make a slurry.
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Thicken & simmer: Whisk slurry into the boiling liquid; cook ~1 minute until visibly thickened. Stir in white wine. Return meatballs and any juices to the skillet. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer 5 minutes until meatballs are cooked through.
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Finish creamy & serve: Turn off heat. Stir in Greek yogurt and parsley until smooth. Taste and adjust seasoning. Serve immediately over cooked no-yolk egg noodles. Tip: Add yogurt off heat to prevent curdling.
Notes
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Make it alcohol-free: Replace white wine with additional chicken broth.
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Gravy consistency: If too thick, whisk in warm broth 1–2 Tbsp at a time; if too thin, simmer uncovered briefly.
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Swap the noodles: Great with mashed potatoes, cauliflower mash, brown rice, or whole-wheat pasta.
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Meal prep: Meatballs can be formed a day ahead. Reheat gently over low heat; add a splash of broth to loosen sauce.
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Gluten-free option: Use GF bread for the panade and serve over GF noodles or rice.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Healthy, Comfort Food
- Method: Skillet, Stovetop, One-Pan
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe (meatballs, gravy & noodles)
- Calories: 385 kcal
- Sodium: 480 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg