If you’re looking for a budget-friendly meal prep dinner that won’t taste boring by day three, this Easy Turkey Meatballs with Pesto Pasta is it. It’s simple, flavorful, and flexible – everything we love in a repeat-worthy recipe.
Pesto is a fun change from classic turkey meatballs with marinara sauce. It adds a fresh, herby flavor that makes the whole meal feel strong and satisfying. Pair it with pasta and sautéed kale (or your favorite vegetable), and you have a balanced meal that reheats wonderfully. Whether you’re cooking for one, doubling for two, or stocking your freezer, this recipe works.
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Tips for making turkey meatballs on a budget
This recipe keeps it simple on purpose.
Ground turkey is often affordable and spreads well over multiple servings. Instead of adding a lot of mix-ins, we keep the meatballs with flavor:
- A few pantry spices
- Cooked diced onion
- Salt and pepper
That’s it. Simple ingredients, great taste.
Cooking tip
Frying meatballs gives a great texture, but requires attention to cook evenly. Turn them every few minutes so that all sides brown well.
Prefer a hands-off method? Bake them at 400°F for 18-22 minutes, flipping halfway through. It’s easier and perfect for busy weeknights.
How to Make Kale Taste Good
Kale is often one of the most affordable greens in the store. A big bunch can last all week, making it perfect for meal prep.
The key to flavorful kale? Cook it afterwards the meatballs in the same pan.
Bits left in the pan add extra flavor without extra effort. Just saute the shredded cabbage until tender and slightly wilted.
Not a kale fan? Try:
- Broccoli
- Asparagus
- Green beans
- Spinach
- Brussels sprouts
- Roasted carrots
This meal works with almost any vegetable you like.
If you enjoy hearty pasta-based preparations, you may also like our Family Meal Planning resource to easily scale recipes.
Make Your Own Pesto (Or Not!)
You have options here.
Store bought pesto works perfectly and saves time. No shame in that – especially for busy weeks.
If you want to make your own, try mixing:
- Kale or basil
- Pecorino Romano or Parmesan
- Walnuts or pine nuts
- Olive oil
- Garlic
- Salt
Homemade pesto tastes fresh and vibrant, but adds an extra step. If simplicity is your goal, pre-made pesto is totally fine.
Looking for more ways to stretch your grocery budget? Check out our guide on How to Make a Food Budget.
Get more recipes like these in the Work Lunch Meal Prep Program with access to our meal planning tools, grocery list generator, and more. Start a free trial today!
How to Flip Turkey Meatballs Easy
- You can make it vegan by making vegan meatballs. I would use white beans for this.
- Also by making vegan pesto with nutritional yeast instead of cheese.
- You can use any pasta you want, it doesn’t have to be gluten free
- You can trade the kale for your favorite vegetable
- This is a freezer friendly meal. Freeze for up to three months in the freezer and let it thaw for a day before reheating on the stove or in the microwave.
- You can easily double this recipe if cooking for two.
As always, try to eat this within four days of cooking if you are not freezing it. I actually ate this on day four and it still tasted amazing. This is DEFINITELY one of my winners, so I hope you enjoy it!
FAQs
Yes. Bake at 400°F for 18-22 minutes, flipping halfway through. Baking is more hands-off and works very well for food preparation.
Do not overcook them. Use medium heat and remove them once they reach 165°F internally. Cooking the chopped onions in the mixture also helps to preserve them.
Yes. This meal freezes well for up to 3 months. For the best texture, lightly cook the pasta before freezing.
Kale, broccoli, asparagus, green beans, and spinach all work well. Roasted vegetables add an extra depth of flavor.
Absolutely. It saves time and still tastes great. Choose one you enjoy and adjust the salt to taste.
Happy preparing 🙂
I would love to see your version of this recipe! Feel free to share it with me via DM on Instagram @worwkeeklunch or tag me in the caption/post.
Turkey Meatballs With Channel Salt And Pesto Pasta
Instructions
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Prepare the pasta according to the package. Save 1/2 cup of the pasta water!
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Prepare the meatballs by adding turkey, onion, 1/2 of the garlic and all the spices in a bowl. Mix well and form balls with your hands. I did 9.
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Add the oil to a skillet over medium heat. After 2 minutes, add the turkey meatballs. Let them cook for about 5 minutes before rolling them. Repeat this step until they are cooked (about 15 minutes) then remove them from the pan and set them aside.
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Add a little more oil, the remaining kale and garlic to the pan. Fry for about 5 minutes, until the kale is soft.
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To assemble: toss the pasta with the pesto and reserved pasta water then divide into your containers. Add the kale, turkey meatballs and garnishes if using.