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Easy Mini Turkey Meatball Lunchbox Cups: Best Bento Recipe

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These Easy Mini Turkey Meatball Lunchbox Cups are the perfect meal prep solution, offering juicy, flavorful meatballs baked in a muffin tin for easy portioning. They’re quick to make, kid-friendly, and delicious hot or cold, making lunch something to look forward to.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound ground turkey (93/7 lean)
  • 1/2 cup plain breadcrumbs (Panko preferred)
  • 1/4 cup milk (whole milk recommended)
  • 1 large egg, lightly beaten
  • 1/2 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced (or 1 teaspoon garlic powder)
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
  • 1/3 cup your favorite sauce (marinara, teriyaki, BBQ, etc.)
  • 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Spray a 12-cup muffin tin generously with cooking spray.
  2. In a small bowl, combine the breadcrumbs and milk. Let it sit for 5 minutes until the breadcrumbs absorb the milk and become pasty.
  3. In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground turkey, soaked breadcrumb mixture, beaten egg, Parmesan cheese, minced garlic, salt, pepper, oregano, onion powder, and parsley. Use your hands to mix just until combined.
  4. Divide the mixture evenly among the 12 muffin cups (about 2 heaping tablespoons per cup). Press the mixture down gently.
  5. Bake for 15 minutes.
  6. While they bake, prepare your glaze: In a small bowl, mix your chosen sauce with the honey or maple syrup.
  7. After 15 minutes, remove the muffin tin from the oven. Brush each meatball cup with the sauce mixture. Return to the oven and bake for another 8-10 minutes, until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
  8. Let the cups cool in the pan for 5 minutes.
  9. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

Don’t skip the panade (soaked breadcrumbs) – it keeps the meatballs moist. Use a light hand when mixing to avoid tough meatballs. Let them rest after baking for 5 minutes to set. Double the recipe and freeze for easy lunches. For best results, use 93/7 lean ground turkey.

Nutrition

Keywords: mini turkey meatball cups, bento recipe, lunchbox recipe, meal prep, turkey meatballs, easy lunch

Find it online: https://recipebelle.com/easy-mini-turkey-meatball-lunchbox-cups-best-bento-recipe/