If you’re looking for cozy, crave-worthy comfort food with a wholesome twist, Turkey Meatballs in Pumpkin Sage Sauce is your ticket to absolute dinnertime bliss. Juicy, tender turkey meatballs are bathed in a velvety, golden pumpkin sage sauce that’s savory, aromatic, and just a little bit decadent. The warmth of nutmeg, fresh sage, and a splash of cream bring out all the best fall flavors, while lean turkey keeps things light. Whether you’re dressing up a weeknight dinner or impressing friends with something a little different, this full-flavored dish is sure to leave everyone reaching for seconds!

Turkey Meatballs in Pumpkin Sage Sauce Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of Turkey Meatballs in Pumpkin Sage Sauce is just how simple yet essential each ingredient is—every item adds a special touch, from texture to color to flavor depth. This is one of those recipes where the ingredients really shine, so gather everything you need and get ready for deliciousness!

Ground turkey: Lean yet flavorful, ground turkey makes the meatballs juicy and full of protein.
Breadcrumbs: These soak up all the best savory juices, helping to keep your meatballs tender instead of dense.
Egg: Acts as the perfect binder, holding all the meatball ingredients together while keeping them moist.
Grated Parmesan cheese: Adds a lovely, salty note and a subtle richness in every bite.
Garlic (minced): That little aromatic hit which makes the dish irresistibly savory!
Salt and black pepper: For balance and that essential seasoning pop in both the meatballs and the sauce.
Olive oil: Helps sear the meatballs beautifully and adds richness to the pan.
Butter: Gives the sauce a creamy mouthfeel and rounds out the flavor.
Onion (finely chopped): Builds a foundation of sweetness and complexity in the sauce.
Sage (fresh or dried): The unsung hero—sage brings that signature earthy, autumnal aroma.
Pumpkin purée: The star ingredient! It creates a silky, slightly sweet sauce that clings to every meatball.
Chicken broth: Adds body and a savory base to offset the creamy pumpkin.
Heavy cream: Introduces luxurious richness and ensures the sauce is perfectly smooth.
Ground nutmeg: A pinch brings out the pumpkin’s natural sweetness and pairs beautifully with sage.
Additional salt and pepper: Fine-tune the flavors to your taste before serving.

How to Make Turkey Meatballs in Pumpkin Sage Sauce

Step 1: Mix and Shape the Meatballs

Start by combining the ground turkey, breadcrumbs, egg, parmesan, garlic, salt, and pepper in a large mixing bowl. Use your hands or a fork to gently mix until everything’s just combined—try not to over-mix, which can make the meatballs tough. Now, form the mixture into 1-inch balls. You’ll make about 16 to 20, which is the perfect size for even cooking and perfect bites.

Step 2: Sear the Meatballs

Heat the olive oil in a big skillet over medium heat. Once it’s hot, add your meatballs in batches, so they’re not crowded. Let them brown on all sides for that irresistible golden crust, turning as needed. This should take 8 to 10 minutes; once they’re cooked through, transfer them to a plate and keep warm while you make the sauce.

Step 3: Build the Pumpkin Sage Sauce

Don’t wipe out that skillet! Melt the butter in the drippings, then sauté the chopped onion and sage for a few minutes until fragrant and soft. This creates a base full of flavor. Next, stir in the pumpkin purée, chicken broth, heavy cream, nutmeg, plus a sprinkle of salt and pepper. Let it all simmer gently for 5 to 6 minutes, stirring now and then, until the sauce thickens up and turns creamy.

Step 4: Simmer the Meatballs in the Sauce

Return your beautiful golden turkey meatballs to the pan, nestling them into the sauce. Spoon some sauce over each one so they soak up those cozy flavors. Gently simmer for another 5 minutes—this helps everything meld together and ensures the meatballs are piping hot.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy!

Serve the turkey meatballs in pumpkin sage sauce while everything is warm and inviting. Spoon extra sauce over the top, garnish (more on that next!), and pair with your favorite side—be it pasta, rice, or a chunk of crusty bread. Now, just sit back and enjoy the happy faces around your table!

How to Serve Turkey Meatballs in Pumpkin Sage Sauce

Garnishes

For a beautiful finishing touch, sprinkle chopped fresh parsley or a little extra parmesan cheese before serving. A few ribbons of fresh sage look lovely and intensify that wonderful aroma. If you like a pop of color, a light scattering of paprika is both pretty and delicious atop your Turkey Meatballs in Pumpkin Sage Sauce.

Side Dishes

These meatballs are super versatile! They’re wonderful over a bed of fluffy mashed potatoes, creamy polenta, or with a swirl of fettuccini for a pasta-forward feast. Roasted vegetables or a green salad also make excellent partners, soaking up every drop of that pumpkin sage sauce goodness.

Creative Ways to Present

For a casual dinner party, try serving Turkey Meatballs in Pumpkin Sage Sauce in a shallow serving bowl with rustic bread on the side for dipping. Or, make smaller meatballs and nestle them on toothpicks for a fun fall appetizer! You can even stuff the saucy meatballs into slider rolls for a memorable, crowd-pleasing treat.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover Turkey Meatballs in Pumpkin Sage Sauce keep well in the fridge for up to 3 days. Store them in an airtight container with plenty of sauce on top to keep the meatballs moist and flavorful.

Freezing

If you’d like to stash some for later, both the meatballs and sauce freeze beautifully! Let everything cool, then pack into freezer-safe containers. For best texture, thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.

Reheating

Gently reheat Turkey Meatballs in Pumpkin Sage Sauce in a covered skillet over low heat, adding a splash of broth or cream as needed to loosen the sauce. You can also microwave individual portions, but stirring halfway through ensures even heating.

FAQs

Can I use ground chicken instead of turkey?

Absolutely! Ground chicken will work just as well in this recipe. The flavor will be slightly milder, so taste and adjust your seasonings if needed.

Can I make this gluten-free?

Yes, simply use your favorite gluten-free breadcrumbs or substitute rolled oats that have been pulsed in a food processor. Everything else in Turkey Meatballs in Pumpkin Sage Sauce is naturally gluten-free!

What can I use instead of pumpkin purée?

If you’re out of pumpkin, try canned butternut squash purée or roasted sweet potato purée for a similar creamy texture and autumnal sweetness.

Is there a dairy-free alternative for the cream?

Coconut milk makes a great substitute for heavy cream, giving the sauce a velvety consistency while keeping it dairy-free.

Can I bake the meatballs instead of frying them?

Definitely! Arrange meatballs on a lined baking sheet and bake at 400°F for 15–18 minutes, or until cooked through. This is a handy method if you want to skip the oil or make a bigger batch all at once.

Final Thoughts

There’s nothing more comforting than gathering around the table to share something made with love, and Turkey Meatballs in Pumpkin Sage Sauce is one of those meals that truly delivers. Whether you’re celebrating fall flavors or just need a cozy, satisfying dinner, I know this recipe will soon be a favorite at your house. Give it a try and enjoy every savory bite!

Turkey Meatballs in Pumpkin Sage Sauce Recipe

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4.6 from 25 reviews

Author: Emma
Total Time: 40 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Diet: Non-Vegetarian

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Description

Delight in the flavors of fall with these tender Turkey Meatballs in a luscious Pumpkin Sage Sauce. These savory meatballs are infused with Parmesan and garlic, served in a creamy pumpkin sauce with hints of sage and nutmeg.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Meatballs:

1 lb ground turkey
1/4 cup breadcrumbs
1 egg
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper

For the Pumpkin Sage Sauce:

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon butter
1/4 cup finely chopped onion
1 teaspoon fresh sage, chopped (or 1/2 teaspoon dried)
1 cup pumpkin purée
1 cup chicken broth
1/4 cup heavy cream
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Additional salt and pepper to taste

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Instructions

Prepare the Meatballs: In a mixing bowl, combine ground turkey, breadcrumbs, egg, Parmesan, garlic, salt, and pepper. Form into 1-inch meatballs.
Cook the Meatballs: Brown the meatballs in olive oil in a skillet. Set aside.
Make the Sauce: Sauté onion and sage in butter. Add pumpkin, broth, cream, nutmeg, salt, and pepper. Simmer until thickened.
Combine and Serve: Return meatballs to skillet with sauce. Simmer to heat through. Serve with pasta, rice, or bread.