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Lunch recipe · from the recipe book

Turkey Meatball Tomato Stew with Zucchini

Tender herbed turkey meatballs simmer in a garlicky tomato broth with zucchini, cannellini beans and basil, finished with a salty sprinkle of Parmesan.

Turkey Meatball Tomato Stew with Zucchini

Ingredients

  • 1¼ lb560 gGround turkey, 93% lean
  • 1 large50 gEggsbeaten
  • ⅓ cup40 gPlain dry breadcrumbs
  • ⅓ cup grated30 gGrated Parmesandivided in half
  • 2 tsp2 gDried oreganodivided in half
  • 5 cloves15 gGarlicminced, divided (one-third and two-thirds)
  • 1½ tbsp20 gOlive oil
  • 1½ medium160 gYellow oniondiced
  • 2 medium120 gCarrotsdiced
  • 2 tbsp32 gTomato paste
  • 1¾ lb800 gDiced tomatoes, canned
  • 1½ cups360 gLow-sodium chicken broth
  • 2 cups354 gGreat northern or cannellini beans, canned, drained and rinsed
  • 1½ medium300 gZucchinicut into half-moons
  • ½ tsp1 gCrushed red pepper
  • ½ tsp3 gSalt
  • ½ tsp1 gBlack pepper
  • ⅔ cup leaves15 gFresh basiltorn

Steps

  1. Prep first: dice the onion and carrot, mince the garlic, cut the zucchini, and tear the basil.
  2. In a bowl, mix the turkey-ground, egg, breadcrumbs, half the parmesan, half the oregano, one-third of the garlic and the black pepper. Roll into about 20 meatballs.
  3. Heat the olive oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Brown the meatballs in batches, about 5 minutes, and set them on a plate; they finish cooking later.
  4. Lower the heat to medium. Add the onion and carrot and cook 6 minutes until soft. Add the remaining two-thirds of the garlic, the remaining half of the oregano and the red pepper flakes; cook 1 minute.
  5. Stir in the tomato paste and cook 1 minute, then add the tomatoes-canned, chicken broth and salt. Bring to a simmer.
  6. Return the meatballs, cover and simmer gently 15 minutes.
  7. Add the great northern beans and zucchini and simmer uncovered 10 minutes, until the zucchini is tender and the meatballs reach 165°F (74°C) in the center.
  8. Ladle into bowls and top with the basil and the remaining half of the parmesan.

Contains: Milk, Egg, Gluten. Some brands contain soy.

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Saved in the Every Helping recipe book on October 24, 2026.

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