Basil Turkey Meatballs with Zucchini Noodles and Roasted Carrots
Juicy skillet turkey meatballs over garlicky zucchini noodles, with sweet roasted carrot coins alongside.
- AIP
- Celiac
- Hashimoto's
- PCOS
- Anti-inflammatory
- Pregnancy
- Toddlers
- Dairy-free
- Alpha-gal
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure
- Heart health
- Gluten-free
- Crohn’s and colitis
- High cholesterol
- Keto
- Low-GI
- Paleo
- Kid-friendly
- Sheet pan
- One pan
- Gluten-free dairy-free
Plan it for your familyFree on iPhone, Android and the web.
Ingredients
- 1.5 lb ground turkey
- 3 medium zucchini, spiralized or cut into ribbons
- 1 lb carrots, peeled, cut into ½-inch coins
- 4 tbsp olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ cup fresh basil, chopped
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 lemon, zest and juice
- 1 tsp salt
Method
- Toss the carrots with oil and roast until golden at the edges.25 min timer
- Mix the turkey, garlic, oregano, lemon zest and salt; roll into 16 meatballs.
- Brown the meatballs in oil, turning, until cooked through, 165°F inside.10 min timer
- Add the zucchini noodles to the pan and toss until just tender.3 min timer
- Set aside the kids' shares, then toss basil and lemon juice through the rest.Kids’ plate comes out here
Kids’ plate: Turkey Meatballs and Carrot Coins
On the plate: Plain turkey meatballs, soft carrot coins and zucchini noodles, basil and lemon left off.
Make it a game: Stack two meatballs into a tower before each bite — can it balance?
Set it aside at step 5, before the grown-ups’ sauce or spice goes on.
Why it works
- Autoimmune protocol (AIP): Turkey, carrots and zucchini with olive oil, lemon and herbs — no grains, dairy or nightshades.
- Hashimoto's thyroiditis: Gluten-free throughout and no soy in the seasoning, just garlic, oregano and lemon.
- Pregnant: Nothing in it is raw, unpasteurised or alcoholic.
- Toddler (1–3): Soft meatballs and tender carrot coins she can pick up with her fingers.
- Kid (4–12): Bite-size meatballs and mild noodles to twirl on a fork.
AIP check: watch for nightshade spices (paprika, chili, cayenne), seed spices (cumin, coriander seed), seed oils and hidden sugar. Gluten gives food ideas, not medical advice: always check labels for allergens and cross-contact.
Cooking for more than one diet?
Add everyone you cook for, with their allergies, diets and ages. Gluten checks this recipe for each of them and tells you what to change for anyone who can’t eat it as written. It’s free.
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This recipe also fits: Celiac recipes, Hashimoto's recipes, PCOS recipes, Anti-inflammatory recipes, Pregnancy recipes, Toddlers recipes, Dairy-free recipes, Alpha-gal recipes, Diabetes recipes, High blood pressure recipes, Heart health recipes, Gluten-free recipes, Crohn’s and colitis recipes, High cholesterol recipes, Keto recipes, Low-GI recipes, Paleo recipes, Kid-friendly recipes, Sheet pan recipes, One pan recipes, Gluten-free dairy-free recipes.