Mom on Timeout: "Turkey and Stuffing" Meatballs with Herbed Gravy

I don't normally like turkey meatballs.  Mainly because they're tasteless.  Ground turkey just doesn't have much flavor, mostly due to the fact that it's low in fat.  And fat = deliciousness.  So how to bump up the flavor profile?  Dump in a packet of sodium.  I'm sorta not even kidding.  I used an entire package of stuffing for these meatballs, and they were fantastic.  Serve them with mashed potatoes and gravy?  Even better.

Note: Try to get regular ground turkey, not ground turkey breast.  Regular ground turkey will include some dark meat, and that's the part that has a little more flavor.  You can also use turkey-flavored stuffing mix; I'm just partial to the chicken version.

"Turkey and Stuffing" Meatballs with Gravy
Adapted from Mom on Timeout blog

1 tablespoon unsalted butter
1 small onion, finely chopped
1 stalk celery, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 (6-ounce) box Stove Top chicken-flavored stuffing mix
¾ cup half-and-half
3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
1 large egg
1 large yolk
Salt and pepper to taste
1 (16-ounce) package ground turkey
2 tablespoons olive oil
Herbed Gravy

Preheat oven to 400°F.  Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.

Melt butter in a small skillet over medium-high heat.  Add the onion, celery, and garlic and cook until tender, about 6 minutes.  Set aside to cool slightly.

Place stuffing mix in a resealable Ziploc bag and crush lightly with a rolling pin or mallet. In a large bowl, combine stuffing crumbs and half-and-half and stir to combine. Mix in cooked onion and celery mixture, parsley, egg and egg yolk, salt, and pepper.  Add ground turkey and mix gently just until combined.

Using a 1½ tablespoon cookie scoop, form meatballs from the mixture. Use your hands to gently form into a ball and place on prepared baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes or just until cooked through.

Makes about 32 meatballs

Herbed Gravy

1 (12-ounce) jar turkey gravy

1 teaspoon dried parsley flakes
¼ teaspoon rubbed sage
¼ teaspoon dried thyme
¼ teaspoon dried rosemary

In a small bowl, combine gravy and herbs.  Heat according to package instructions.  Serve with meatballs and mashed potatoes.