Turkey Meatballs in Tomato Sauce
Tender turkey meatballs simmered in mild tomato sauce, served in small pieces with pasta. No added salt, nothing spicy.
- prep
- 20 min
- cook
- 25 min
- total
- 45 min
- serves
- 4
- level
- easy
This is a softened, toddler-sized version of a dish most households already make, with the meatballs kept small and the sauce built mild, with no added salt and a grated carrot to take the edge off the tomato's acidity.
Cut the cooked meatballs down further once they are off the heat, matched to wherever your toddler is with chewing, rather than relying on the size you shaped them at.
If your little one is still earlier in the journey, start with our Baby's First Foods guide.
Part of our 20 toddler meal ideas list.
method
Mix the ground turkey, egg, breadcrumbs, grated onion and oregano thoroughly in a bowl.
Shape into small meatballs, about 2 cm across, a little smaller than you might make for an adult.
Heat the olive oil in a pot over medium heat and brown the meatballs on all sides, about 5 minutes, turning gently.
Add the crushed tomatoes and grated carrot. Bring to a gentle simmer, cover, and cook for 15 to 18 minutes, until the meatballs are cooked through and the sauce has thickened slightly.
Cook the pasta separately according to the package until fully tender.
Cut or mash the meatballs into smaller pieces appropriate for your toddler's chewing ability, toss with the pasta and sauce, and cool to a safe warm temperature before serving.
chef's tips
- Keep the meatballs small from the start, and cut them smaller again once cooked if your toddler is still working on chewing well.
- The grated carrot in the sauce is not just for nutrition, it also mellows the natural acidity of the tomatoes, which some toddlers find sharp.
- No added salt in this recipe. The oregano and tomato carry plenty of flavor on their own.
- These freeze well before or after cooking, so a double batch of just the meatballs is a reasonable thing to have on hand.