Recipe description
June 20, 2026
Turkey meatballs in tomato sauce
Comforting turkey meatballs in tomato sauce for gut-friendly meals
88%
General Gut Health Match
This score is based on all ingredients included in the food recipe and provides a match score for the general population which is not personalized to your personal profile or gut microbiome test.
Your Microbiome Match
Connect your microbiome test results to see how this recipe matches your personal gut profile.
—
Microbiome match
Log in or add a microbiome test to unlock your personal recipe match based on your gut microbiome results.
Unlock your personal microbiome match
Log in or create an account to connect your test results and personalize recipe recommendations.
Alignment with Your Personal Profile
Create a free account to see how well this recipe aligns with your diets, allergies, intolerances and selected health topics.
--
Overall
Create a profile to see how this recipe matches your dietary preferences.
You indicated the following dietary preferences:
This recipe supports the following dietary preferences:
Create a profile to see how this recipe matches your selected allergies.
You indicated the following allergies:
We found the following allergens in the recipe ingredients: egg, tree_nut
Create a profile to see how this recipe matches your selected intolerances.
You indicated the following intolerances:
We found the following intolerances in the recipe ingredients: gluten, histamine
Create a profile to see how well the recipe aligns with selected gut-related topics such as IBS, bloating or reflux.
You indicated the following gastrointestinal conditions:
Ingredients in this recipe may be relevant to the following gastrointestinal conditions:
Create a profile to see how well the recipe aligns with your selected health objectives.
You indicated the following health objectives:
Ingredients in this recipe may be relevant to the following health objectives:
Unlock your personal recipe match
Create a free account and complete a short profile to replace these placeholders with your personal recipe scores.
✓ Save diets and preferences
✓ Check allergies and intolerances
✓ Match recipes to gut goals
✓ Save better recipe recommendations
Takes about 2 minutes.
Why this recipe fits you
- Tomato sauce and herbs provide fiber and polyphenols that support gut flora.
- Includes a fiber-rich side (whole grains or vegetables) to boost dietary diversity.
- Balanced with lean turkey plus plant-based components for a simple, gut-friendly meal.
Gut Health Score
How these gut-support scores are calculated
These scores are estimated from the recipe’s ingredients, nutritional profile, and gut-health relevance. They are intended as practical guidance, not as medical advice.
Fiber support
Looks at fiber-rich ingredients such as legumes, vegetables, fruit, whole grains, nuts, and seeds.
Polyphenol support
Reflects ingredients such as berries, herbs, spices, cocoa, olive oil, colorful vegetables, and other plant foods.
Diversity support
Considers the variety of plant-based ingredients used in the recipe.
Inflammation-balance support
Considers the balance between whole-food ingredients, healthy fats, added sugars, refined carbohydrates, and highly processed components.
Fermentation support
Reflects fermented ingredients or ingredients that may support microbial fermentation, such as prebiotic fibers.
Blood-sugar balance support
Considers fiber, protein, fat quality, added sugars, and the type of carbohydrates in the recipe.
Ingredients
Turkey
1
piece
Bread-crumbs
0.5
cup
Egg
1
piece
Onion
1
piece
Garlic
2
piece
Parsley
2
tablespoon
Salt
1
teaspoon
Black pepper
0.5
teaspoon
Oil, olive
2
tablespoon
Tomato sauce
16
tablespoon
Tomato, paste
2
tablespoon
Instructions
1
Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F).
2
In a large bowl, combine the ground turkey, finely chopped onion, minced garlic, parsley, oregano, black pepper, salt, and egg. Mix until well combined.
3
Form the mixture into meatballs, about 2 tablespoons each.
4
Place the meatballs on a baking sheet and drizzle with olive oil.
5
Bake the meatballs in the preheated oven for 25 minutes, or until cooked through and golden brown.
6
In a saucepan, heat the tomato sauce over medium heat until warm.
7
Once the meatballs are cooked, serve them in the warm tomato sauce.
More Recipes For Your Gut
Nutrition
420 kcal
Calories
28 g
Protein
42 g
Carbohydrates
6 g
Fiber
9 g
Sugar
14 g
Fat
4 g
Saturated fat
0.9 g
Salt
FAQ
Is turkey a good choice for a lean protein in this dish?
Yes. Turkey provides lean protein with less fat than many ground beef options; use lean turkey mince (about 93% lean) for best results.
Can I make this gluten-free? What gluten-free sides work well?
The meatballs are gluten-free if breadcrumbs are omitted or replaced with gluten-free breadcrumbs; serve with gluten-free options like brown rice, quinoa, or vegetables.
How long does this dish take to cook?
Typically 25–40 minutes total, depending on method; ensure the internal temperature reaches 74°C (165°F).
How many servings does this recipe yield?
Usually 4 servings; portion sizes may change the total.
Can I freeze leftovers?
Yes, freeze cooked meatballs and sauce separately for up to 2–3 months; thaw in the fridge overnight.
What sides pair well with this dish for fiber variety?
Pair with fiber-rich sides such as brown rice, quinoa, or a generous portion of vegetables to boost fiber variety.
Can I customize the herbs in the sauce?
Yes—try parsley, oregano, or basil to tailor the flavor to your preference.
How can I reduce calories or fat in this recipe?
Use extra-lean turkey, minimize oil, bake instead of pan-frying, and choose tomato sauce with no added sugar.
Is this dish kid-friendly? Any tips for serving kids?
Yes—it's family-friendly. Shape smaller meatballs, keep seasoning mild, and serve with familiar sides; monitor salt use.
Your Gut Has a Story. Read It — Then Fix Potential Problems
Full microbiome sequencing + Gut Health Index. Metabolic pathways, diversity, keystone species. Personalized plans available (diet, supplements, diary, recipes). EU lab + Maastricht University spin-off + GDPR-safe.