Turkey meatballs with Italian sauce

Ingredients:

Turkey meatballs

• 450 g of ground turkey
• 450 g spicy ground turkey sausages with Italian herbs, casings removed
• 1 cup breadcrumbs
• 1/2 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
• 1/4 cup chopped basil
• 1/4 cup chopped parsley
• 1/4 cup whole milk at room temperature
• 1 tbsp. ketchup
• 1 tbsp tomato paste
• 3/4 teaspoon coarse salt
• 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
• 2 large eggs at room temperature
• 2 crushed cloves of garlic
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• Olive oil for spraying

Tomato sauce

• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 3 large cloves of garlic, peeled and crushed
• 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 1 teaspoon coarse salt
• 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
• 3/4 cup chopped basil
• 2 tsp finely ground fennel seeds
• 2 tsp dried oregano
• 2 cans (1500 g total) of canned crushed tomatoes
• 1/2 cup unsalted chicken broth

Preparation:

1. Prepare the meatballsIn a large bowl, combine the breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, basil, parsley, milk, ketchup (if using), tomato paste, salt, pepper, eggs, garlic, and onion. Using a wooden spoon, stir until smooth. Add the ground turkey and sausage meat. Gently and thoroughly mix all the ingredients with your hands until smooth.
2. Preheat oven to 200 ⁰С.
   
   Using a 30-gram cookie scoop or a small ice cream scoop, form the meat mixture into 3-cm diameter balls. You'll get 22-24 meatballs. Place them, spaced slightly apart, on a large nonstick baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil and bake for 15 minutes, until set.
3. Prepare tomato sauceHeat olive oil in a large, deep skillet with 2-inch (5 cm) high sides over medium heat. Add garlic, onion, salt, and pepper. Cook for 5-6 minutes. Add 1/2 cup basil, fennel, oregano, and pureed tomatoes. Bring to a boil. Simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally, for 15-20 minutes, until the sauce thickens slightly. Add the remaining 1/4 cup basil. Season with additional salt and pepper, if desired.
4. Place the meatballs in the tomato sauce and simmer for 10 minutes, until heated through. Thin the sauce with 1/4 cup chicken broth, if desired.
   
   Sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese before serving.