Kid-Friendly Meatballs Get the Whole Family Involved in Cooking Dinner

Adding pesto gives these meatballs a big boost of flavor. Will you have them on pasta or on a sub roll? America’s Test Kitchen/TNS

For a new spin on meatballs, add basil pesto for big flavor. The pesto replaces the minced herbs, minced garlic, and grated cheese in standard meatball recipes. Buy pesto from the refrigerated section of the supermarket—it has a fresher flavor than the jarred pesto sold in the grocery aisles.

This kid-friendly recipe is easy to follow, so young ones can join in on the cooking fun. Just be sure an adult is nearby to help, especially when using the oven.

Pesto Turkey Meatballs With Marinara Sauce

Serves 4

• Vegetable oil spray
• 1 pound (93 percent lean) ground turkey
• 3/4 cup pesto
• 1/2 cup panko bread crumbs
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 garlic cloves, peeled and minced
• 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes

Adjust the oven rack to the middle position and heat the oven to 450 degrees F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil. Spray foil with vegetable oil spray.