Sheet pan dinners always seem like the best life hack. Throw everything in the oven all at once and 30 minutes later each and every component on the pan is cooked to perfection.
Except, no. Because try as we might, 9 times of 10 they just don’t flipping work.
We’re all for convenience in the kitchen, but without compromise on flavour and quality thank you very much.
Our solution? The two sheet pan dinner. One for the long roast, one for the short. Same temperature, same overall time. Except in this version, you get to eat perfectly cooked, wonderfully juicy meatballs instead of the dry cottonball-esque version.
And when you take 2 extra minutes to make the simplest most glorious tahini lemon sauce to slather it all with, we think you’ll be sheet pan converts. Double sheet pan that is.
In the end, with this Middle Eastern Turkey Meatball Sheet Pan Dinner you’ll get:
- deeply roasted and caramelized onions and spiced cauliflower
- crispy crunchy chickpeas for texture
- savoury, fragrant meatballs
- a lemon tahini sauce that’s both rich and full of brightness
Gobble it up right from the pan, or serve it alongside something crunchy and fresh if you wish. And don’t forget how beautiful it looks – it would ideal for a dinner party. Oh, you’ve got a house full of kids? Perfect for that too. Serving this family style allows kiddos to pick and choose their favourite components. Parenting win!
Erin & Dara
Middle Eastern Turkey Meatball Sheet Pan Dinner
Serves | 4 - makes 16 meatballs |
Prep time | 15 minutes |
Cook time | 40 minutes |
Total time | 55 minutes |
Website | Inspired by Smitten Kitchen's Sheet Pan Meatballs with Turmeric Chickpeas |
Ingredients
- 1 can chickpeas (rinsed, drained and patted dry)
- 1 red onion (sliced lengthwise into 1 inch slices)
- 1 head cauliflower (cored and cut into florets)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
Meatballs
- 1lb ground turkey
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1 Large egg
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
Tahini Sauce
- 1/2 cup tahini
- 1/4 cup fresh squeezed lemon juice
- 1/4 cup water (plus or minus a few tsp)
- 1/4 teaspoon salt (or more to taste)
Note
This sheet pan meal is warm and comforting and a meal all on it's own but we love to combine with something fresh and crunchy, like a tomato, cucumber and parsley salad. Combine one chopped tomato, one chopped cucumber, 1/4 cup fresh chopped parsley and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice for brightness.
Directions
1. | Preheat oven to 400F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. |
2. | In a large bowl combine chickpeas, cauliflower, onion, oil, and spices. Toss until evenly coated. Spread out evenly on one prepared baking sheet, place in oven and set timer for 25 minutes. |
3. | Meanwhile, combine all meatball ingredients in a bowl and roll into roughly 1.5" balls. Transfer to second prepared baking sheet. When the 25 minute timer is done, put meatballs in oven and bake along with chickpea/ vegetable tray for an additional 15 minutes. |
4. | Combine tahini sauce ingredients in a bowl, adding enough water so it is a pourable/dressing consistency. |
5. | Once meatballs are cooked through and vegetables are browned and tender, remove both trays from oven. Distribute meatballs evenly onto vegetable/chickpea tray. Drizzle the whole thing with tahini sauce. Garnish parsley and additional lemon wedges. Serve alongside fresh green salad or tomato cucumber salad. |
Allison says
Does the turkey need to be browned or cooked before it goes in the oven or should it be raw?
Erin & Dara says
It should be raw. The meatballs will cook in the oven.
Allison says
I made this before you responded and did end up browning the meat in a skillet first. It was deliciously moist so I do it every time. However, that’s the only thing I change about this recipe. It is really, really good. A favorite of my husband and me! Thank you!
Erin & Dara says
That’s wonderful! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Tyler says
Made this recipe and it turned out so well that I’m making it again! Thank you.
Erin & Dara says
Fantastic! So glad you liked it and thank for sharing!
Lauren says
Hi! Im making this now and it sounds delicious but can you tell me how it could possibly be 640 calories?? Or is that for the entire amount and not each serving?
Erin & Dara says
Hi Lauren,
We don’t calculate or list the calories for our recipes. Hope you like them!
Erin & Dara says
Hi Lauren,
We don’t calculate or list the calories for our recipes. Hope you like them!
Kirsten says
I’ve been on the hunt for simple and flavorful sheet pan meals… this one hit the spot! I didn’t have cauliflower so I used zucchini and it worked great! Thanks for sharing it 🙂
Ellen says
This is such a great healthy meal! I added feta to the meatballs & made a dill yogurt sauce for the cold salad. fast favorite with everyone including my 1 & 4yo;)
Anonymous says
Printing this now. Looks delicious & we are in need of a shake up to our dinners.
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