Pecan Free Sheet Pan Turkey Meatballs with Pesto, Walnuts, Zucchini & Tomatoes
Sheet pan dinners don't get much more satisfying than this — juicy turkey meatballs roasted alongside tender zucchini and burst cherry tomatoes, all finished with a bright, garlicky walnut-basil pesto. The homemade pesto comes together in a food processor in minutes and does double duty, mixing right into the meatball mixture for extra flavor and then spooning over the top at the end. Almond flour and finely chopped walnuts keep the meatballs cohesive and moist without any breadcrumbs, so the texture is genuinely impressive. Everything roasts together on a single pan at 425°F, meaning the vegetables get those lightly caramelized edges while the meatballs cook through to a safe 165°F — no babysitting required. When the tomatoes burst and collapse, they release their juices right onto the pan, creating a saucy base that mingles beautifully with the pesto. It's a complete, colorful meal that feels restaurant-worthy but comes together with minimal cleanup, which is always a win on a weeknight.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
For the pesto
- ½ cup raw walnuts
- 2 cups fresh basil leaves, loosely packed
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 2 cloves garlic, peeled
- ¼ tsp salt
For the meatballs
- 1 ¼ lb ground turkey (93% lean)
- 1 large egg
- ¼ cup almond flour
- ¼ cup raw walnuts, finely chopped
- ½ tsp dried oregano
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
For the sheet pan
- 2 medium zucchini (about 1 lb total), cut into 1-inch half-moons
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
For serving
- fresh basil leaves, for serving (optional)
- lemon wedges, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a large 18×13-inch sheet pan with parchment paper or lightly coat with olive oil.
- 2
Make the pesto: combine the raw walnuts, basil, 1/4 cup olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and 1/4 tsp salt in a small food processor or blender and pulse until a coarse, spreadable paste forms, scraping down the sides as needed. Set aside.
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