Pasta With Turkey Meatballs And Bocconcini Everyday Food

SPAGHETTI AND TURKEY MEATBALLS

Steps:

• Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the smashed garlic and cook 1 minute. Add the tomatoes with their juice, 2 cups water, 1/4cup basil, the parmesan rind, if using, and salt and pepper to taste. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer until thickened, about 8 minutes. Discard the parmesan rind, if used.
• Chop the remaining 1/4cup basil, then mix with the turkey, parsley, bread, ricotta, parmesan, egg white, minced garlic, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and pepper to taste in a bowl using your hands. Form into 4 large or 12 small meatballs; add to the sauce and simmer, turning, until cooked through, 6 minutes for small meatballs and 12 minutes for large.
• Meanwhile, cook the spaghetti in a large pot of salted boiling water as the label directs. Drain and return to the pot. Toss with some of the sauce, then divide among bowls. Top the spaghetti with the meatballs, the remaining sauce and more parsley and parmesan.

PASTA WITH TURKEY MEATBALLS

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook as the label directs, adding the broccolini during the last 2 minutes of cooking. Reserve 1 cup cooking water, then drain the pasta and broccolini. Meanwhile, roll the sausage meat into about 20 small meatballs. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the meatballs and cook, turning occasionally, until browned and cooked through, 5 to 6 minutes. Drain on paper towels. Pour off any drippings from the skillet, then add the remaining 3 tablespoons olive oil, the garlic, red pepper flakes and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Cook over medium heat, stirring, 1 minute. Add the pasta, broccolini and meatballs. Whisk the egg with the reserved cooking water in a small bowl, then add to the skillet and stir until the sauce thickens slightly. Season with salt and pepper. Divide the pasta among bowls. Sprinkle with the cheese and drizzle with olive oil.

WHOLE-WHEAT SPAGHETTI WITH TURKEY MEATBALLS

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of water to a boil over high heat. Generously salt boiling water and return to a boil. Add spaghetti and cook until al dente, according to package directions. Drain pasta; set aside.
• In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add meatballs and cook until browned, 5 to 7 minutes. Add marinara sauce and 1/2 cup water; cook until heated through, 5 minutes. Add spaghetti and toss to combine; serve immediately.

SPAGHETTI WITH TURKEY MEATBALLS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 400°F. In a large baking dish, combine tomatoes, onion, 1/4 cup oil, garlic, pepper flakes (if desired) and 1 tablespoon salt; cover; roast 45 minutes. Remove dish from oven; mash mixture to break down tomatoes. Cook, uncovered, until sauce is thick and reduced, 45 minutes. In a bowl, soak bread in milk until it absorbs liquid, 10 minutes; add turkey, egg and remaining 1 teaspoon salt; mix until just combined. Gently roll meat mixture into 16 equal-sized balls. In a large nonstick saucepan, heat remaining 1 1/2 tablespoons oil over medium-high heat. Sauté meatballs, turning occasionally, until light brown, 5 minutes. Add tomato sauce to meatballs; reduce heat; simmer until cooked through, 20 minutes. Cook pasta as directed on package. Serve sauce over pasta; top with cheese, if desired.

SPAGHETTI AND TURKEY MEATBALLS

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package directions. Drain.
• Meanwhile, combine the turkey, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, egg, oregano, thyme and salt in a large bowl and mix thoroughly. Form into 1 1/2-inch meatballs; a small ice-cream scoop makes short work of forming the meatballs and prevents the mixture from getting overworked.
• Heat the oil in a deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add the meatballs in a single layer (work in batches if necessary) and brown lightly on all sides, about 6 minutes. Pour in the sauce and simmer gently for 15 minutes.
• To serve, place spaghetti on each plate and ladle sauce and meatballs over the top. Sprinkle with chopped fresh herbs if desired.