Skillet Orzo with Turkey Meatballs

Leave it to me to turn a perfectly good beef meatball recipe into a turkey or chicken recipe.😅  It's no secret that I don't love to eat beef or pork but that doesn't stop me from making new beef recipes.  Meatloaf, burgers, sloppy joes and meatballs - all good candidates for a good ground turkey swap in my book.  

Meatballs are great if you're a meat lover but turkey balls are more my style and honestly, after years of serving them to my family - they've actually learned to like them too.😉  I don't want to speak for my husband but based on his consumption, I feel like he's gone from tolerating them to actually liking them.😋 

In my opinion, turkey has a less intense flavor than beef so when I take a bite of a turkey-ball, I feel like I can actually taste all the flavors of the meatball instead of biting into something where all I can taste is meat.  (Spoken like a true turkey lover.🍗🤣).

If you've never tried a turkey meatball - here is your chance.  This meatball and orzo combination is amazing.  It might just convince you to join the turkey swap club too.😉​

Skillet Orzo with Turkey Meatballs
1 shallot, chopped
1/4 cup panko
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 pound 93% lean ground turkey
1/4 cup milk
2 Tablespoons butter, melted
1 Tablespoon Worcestershire
1 1/2 Tablespoons olive oil
4 cups chicken broth
2 cups orzo pasta
1/2 teaspoon lemon zest + 1Tablespoons lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/3 cup fresh parsley

Process shallot, panko, salt and pepper in food processor until finely ground. 

Add turkey, milk, butter and Worcestershire and pulse 10 times.

Shape mixture into 12 meatballs. 

Heat oil in skillet.  Brown meatballs 3 minutes on each side. 

Remove meatballs and add orzo, broth, lemon juice, salt and pepper to skillet.  Bring to a boil.  

Cover and simmer 6 minutes. 

Add meatballs, cover and cook 3 minutes. 

Uncover and cook 3-5 minutes.  Remove from heat and let rest 10 minutes. 

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​Combine lemon zest and parsley.

Spoon oil sauce over orzo.  

This recipe, like many others featured on my blog, was inspired by an America's Test Kitchen recipe.  ATK continue to serve as my biggest source of culinary inspiration.  Thank you Cook's Illustrated for your recipe.  My hat is off to you.   

Ciao!

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