Cheesy Cheddar Stuffed Turkey Balls
Cheesy, Cheddar-Stuffed, Garlic – Paprika – Turmeric – Cilantro Seasoned, Cheesy Cheddar Stuffed Turkey Balls enjoyed with Spicy Cheese Dipping Sauce
Yesterday marked the anniversary of “Snow Jam” or “Snowcalypse” or “Snowmageddon” here in Atlanta! Exactly one year and a day ago – a little bit of ice created a whole lotta ruckus!
Unlike the north, we don’t seem to be able to handle our snow with a side of ice, down here in the south!
Similarly, a little bit of dairy can cause a whole lotta ruckus in someone who might not have enough lactase enzymes in their system!
You might be thinking: “UGH – TMI!!!” or….”GOOD GAWSH – what a weird segue!!!“
But, you see, I happen to fall into that category…
For the longest time, I haven’t been able to handle a little bit of dairy with a side of lactose.
And, for the longest time, I swore off ALL dairy!
At least, that was up until I attended an informative dinner last year. Prior to that, I had given up milk, ice cream, and cheese – not even wanting to test out what I had heard about aged cheeses being lactose-free.
But then, at that dinner, there was a platter of lactose-free Cabot cheeses, with a very knowledgeable representative who was so sweet in answering questions and squelching fears – and, cheese has been flowing freely through our home ever since!
After having made these Mini Andouille and Pepper Jack Beet Pizzas with some of the many Cabot Cheeses I received, I attempted these cheesy turkey balls!
Yes, there’s grated cheese in the turkey ball mix as well as a cube of cheese tucked inside!
Yes, this is very, very, messy when it comes out of that oven – because there’s melty cheese oozing out everywhere.
Yes, these turkey balls might not be too easy on the eyes….
But, (keeping in mind the whole book and cover looks thing) these turkey balls; these garlic, turmeric, paprika and cilantro seasoned, cheesy turkey balls – taste oh so much better than what they look like!
Only one way for you to find out and that’s to go ahead and make them…and the accompanying spicy cheese sauce…
“Cabot Creamery is a family-farmer owned cooperative of more than 1200 farms located throughout New England and New York. One-hundred (100) percent of Cabot’s profits go back to their farmers. Cheddar cheese is a protein-rich snack and naturally lactose free.”
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Ingredients
TURKEY BALLS:
- 1 lbs pkg ground turkey
- 1/2 onion finely chopped,
- 1 inch piece of ginger finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic also finely chopped
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon turmeric
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 2 teaspoons chopped cilantro
- 1/2 cup Cabot Seriously Sharp Cheddar Cheese grated
- 1 egg
- Cabot Farmhouse Reserve Aged Cheddar – cut into cubes
SPICY CHEESE DIPPING SAUCE:
- 1/2 cup lactose free milk
- 3/4 cup Cabot Seriously Sharp Cheddar grated
- 1/4 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika.
Instructions
TURKEY BALLS:
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees
- Mix all the ingredients together – minus the cubed Cabot Farmhouse Reserve Aged Cheddar
- Form Mix into a ball, enclosing a cube of Cabot Farmhouse Reserve Aged Cheddar in the middle
- Bake at 375 for 30 minutes
SPICY CHEESE DIPPING SAUCE:
- Place the milk, cheese, chili powder, and paprika in a saucepan over medium heat for about 10 minutes – stirring frequently so the cheese melts evenly.
- Serve with turkey balls
Oh wow I didn’t realise that cheddar was lactose-free. I’m actually trying to eat a minimal amount of dairy because it doesn’t suit my skin- I should experiment with cheddar and see how my face reacts. Love the idea of sticking a cube of cheese in the middle- these are almost like a high-protein alternative to cheese puffs ;)!
Thanks Khushboo!!!
Dang – it’s been so so so long since I had a cheese puff and Khushboo, to be honest, I don’t remember being too fond of them when I last tried them – but, I did love these balls, though.
Have a wonderful weekend!
gah I am hooked, I want your stuffed meat balls!!
It must be so difficult without milk products and you must be so relieved that you can have certain cheese again, I know I would be because cheese is everything *lovecheese*
How did you know you could not have dairy, what were the symptoms?
Thanks Helene! Oh the symptoms…bad cramps, horrible pain in the abdomen, bad gas (my poor daughter and friends), diarrhea…in the beginning it was hard – but now there’s even lactose free ice cream here in Atlanta!
for some reason, i am outgrowing my lactose intolerance 🙂 also these meatballs look fabulous!
Seriously???? Yay – that is awesome!!! Have you been drinking milk? I cannot stomach even a spoon of it yet…
Haha! I have a friend who lives in Atlanta and I remember him writing a Facebook status last year about how people in Atlanta freak out over an inch of snow. I wish that were the case in Pittsburgh! These turkey balls look mouthwatering!
Thanks Erin – last year was nuts here! A friend of mine left work right around the time when pandemonium broke and a normal 45 minute commute took her 13 hours – and a 3 mile walk towards the latter part!
These are so clever. I love the shot of what they look like out of the oven. I would love to peel all that cheese off the foil and eat it! Ha ha 🙂
Guess what? My daughter did just that! She cleaned that foil off ALL evidence!
Btw – thanks Katie!
I would love these turkey balls! (I assume turkeys have balls somewhere, right?)
Hahahahaha! 🙂 🙂 Oh Maureen!!! Will report back the next time I am on a farm…
Turkey + Cheese = I love this recipe! Pinned. 🙂
Thanks so much Neil!
Woah…these turkey meatballs look awesome, Shashi! I would never have thought of adding cheese into a turkey meatball…but now I want THESE for the Super Bowl! Plus, you had me at Cabot. Do you follow them on Instagram? They have the best photos of their farms (and cows!) on there. 🙂
Thanks David – Yes – I do follow them on Instagram – did you see those 3 baby cows on there recently? A.D.O.R.A.B.L.E.
They look goooooood!
Don’t usually stuff my meatballs with cheese, but hey sounds delish. So why not?
Happy Thursday friend!
Thanks oodles Melanie! We have been eating an unusual amount of turkey (in ball form) this year – so, stuffed ones were indubitable!
Happy Thursday back atcha!
I love turkey meatballs and these look absolutely delicious! And the dipping sauce! Need to try them!
Thanks so very much Mira!
These cheese stuffed meatballs look heavenly!
Thanks Angie!
So I had never had meatballs with cheese in them until recently. Apparently it’s pretty popular in Tennessee? Anyway, the ones I had were delicious, and I’m sure yours are too. Everytime I see someone make meatballs, I remember how much I love them and want to make them too. Maybe that’ll be on the meal plan for next week!
I had no clue these were popular in TN – am thinking the next time I am there I am gonna have to sample some every restaurant I eat out at! Btw, I sure hope these do make it on to your meal plan next week, Amy!
I’m so glad you can enjoy cheese again after so long :)These turkey meat balls look fabulous! Stuffing them with cheese is such a great idea and I love the spicy dipping sauce!
Thanks somuch Kelly – that spicy dipping sauce was added a nice kick! 🙂 Hope you have a great weekend!
I was just on the phone with my friend yesterday and her 6 year old was asking if there were anymore of the cheese stuffed meatballs his mom had made. Surely a favorite!
Most definitely Jeanette!
Oooo…another cheesy masterpiece! And that dipping sauce looks so yummy and spicy!
You are too kind – Thanks Sonali …now if only I had some of that popcorn/Amazins trail mix!
Adding cheese to meatballs is one of my fave things ever, I love when it oozes out.
Btw that spicy cheese dipping sauce looks heavenly, I must make it asap!
Thanks Mike!
If I had known my daughter was gonna eat ALL the cheese that oozed off off the foil – I might have cut a step and not used the foil!
I am all about meatballs lately! Love this wonderful version that you made. Perfect for the Super Bowl this weekend! 🙂
Lactose intolerance, how did you find out?
I sure am glad you can find so many options now. These look bombdiggity yum.
Dear Shashi,these cheesy,soft centered,scrumptious meatballs are a must for all parties….they must taste so good with cheese melting out…only imagining it has made us hungry…will be trying this winner for sure,thanks for inspiring 🙂
Love the cheesy insides!
I was pretty surprised when I found out Cabot didn’t have lactose either!! I’ve been feeding it to all of my lactose intolerant friends ever since. 😛
Hi Shashi, these look delicious, love the sauce. Very interesting about cheddar being lactose free.
Shashi, I am sooo happy for you that you managed to find a way to eat cheese again. Cheese is one of my favourite foods and I’d be pretty upset if I couldn’t have it.
I just love that you’ve stuffed these tasty meatballs with cheese. I did that once with arranchini and it was so delicious – would love to give this a try!
Oh my, I want to reach through the screen and grab one (or ten). And that dipping sauce? Yum!
all these cheese recipes! i’m in heaven. and that close up… um, wow. I want to lick the screen
These look fantastic. Love the look of all that cheese. I remember that blizzard Atlanta suffered a year ago. Thank goodness it was an apparent ‘once-off’ xx
My family is going to love this to the core, especially my daughter. The cheesy center sounds sooo good.
What an explosion of flavours and textures. Looks really delicious with all of that cheesy goodness.
Yum! I’m a fan of anything stuffed with cheese!
And I’m a little jealous of your snow. I’ve only ever seen snow in London, which hardly counts as it’s usually just a dusting.
These look so cheesy and delicious, I can imagine the balls being sampled one after the other and POOF, they are finished 😛
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
What a savory and deliciously cheesy meatball. I think my hubby falls into that lactose category… but he does not want to give up his milk. ***feel sorry for me*** because you know what I have to deal with 🙁