Stuffing mix magic: Easy turkey meatballs for dinner or a party hit

When the week between Christmas and New Year’s hits, we’re all caught in a strange limbo. All the cookies, sweets and party treats create a lawless wasteland of dietary anarchy. The big holiday feasts are behind us, but the New Year’s celebrations are still to come.

Whether you’re preparing a cozy family dinner or gearing up for a festive gathering, this recipe for turkey meatballs will have you covered.

What makes these meatballs stand out? We’re skipping the usual breadcrumbs and spicing things up with a seasonal shortcut: boxed stuffing mix.

Soaking the mix in milk creates a panade — similar to the technique in Italian meatballs — making them irresistibly tender and moist.

It’s an unexpected twist that gives these meatballs loads of flavor with little extra effort. Plus, using ground turkey makes them a lighter option after all those heavy holiday dishes.

Why stop at just meatballs when you can go all-out with holiday vibes? Pair these tender turkey meatballs with a tangy, cranberry-based dipping sauce that brings the whole dish together.

The sweet-tart flavor of cranberry, brightened with a hint of orange, adds a festive flair and makes every bite feel like a celebration.

Serve them as a quick, satisfying dinner over rice or pasta, or plop them on hoagie rolls, or a crusty baguette for a meatball sandwich, or pop them on toothpicks for an irresistible party bite.

No matter how you serve them, you’ll have a crowd-pleaser that’s as easy to make as it is to eat.

So, whether you’re juggling post-holiday fatigue or planning a New Year’s bash, these Holiday Turkey Meatballs will make your life a little easier — and a lot more delicious.

Holiday Turkey Meatballs

Servings: 80 meatballs

Ingredients

2 large eggs

1 cup milk

1 (6 ounce) box turkey stuffing mix

2 pounds ground turkey, 85/15 fat content

1/4 cup onion, finely minced or grated

1/4 cup flat leaf parsley, finely minced, packed

1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

1/4 teaspoon pepper, or more to taste

Procedure

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. In a large bowl, combine eggs and milk, then add to stuffing mix.

Let this sit for about 5 minutes to allow the stuffing to absorb the milk mixture. Add turkey, onion, parsley, Parmesan, garlic and pepper. Mix gently with your hands until well combined.

Use a spoon or scoop to measure heaping tablespoons of the mixture and roll into balls. Place on prepared baking sheet and bake for 18 to 20 minutes or until they reach 165 degrees.

Cranberry Dipping Sauce

Ingredients

1 (12 ounce) bag cranberries, frozen or fresh

1 zest and juice medium navel orange

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/4 cup granulated sugar

1 cup water

1 pinch salt

2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

1 tablespoon butter

Procedure

In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine cranberries, orange zest and juice, both sugars, water and salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce to low and simmer for 10 to 15 minutes, until cranberries break down.

Remove from heat and stir in the vinegar and butter. Blend for a smooth texture or mash with a potato masher for a rustic take. Serve with meatballs.

If making sauce from scratch doesn’t appeal to you, then simply combine one 15-ounce can cranberry sauce with a 12-ounce bottle of chili sauce for a delicious low-effort option.