Turkey Meatballs with Quick And Spicy Tomato Sauce and Whole-Wheat Spaghetti

Ellie Krieger

2006, Ellie Krieger, All Rights Reserved

Show: Healthy Appetite with Ellie Krieger Episode: Good Comfort

Picture of Turkey Meatballs with Quick And Spicy Tomato Sauce and Whole-Wheat Spaghetti Recipe 1 Video | Photo: Turkey Meatballs with Quick And Spicy Tomato Sauce and Whole-Wheat Spaghetti Recipe
Rated 5 stars out of 5
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  • Read 206 Reviews
Total Time:
50 min
Prep
20 min
Cook
30 min
Yield:
6 servings
Level:
Intermediate
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The spicy kick and multiple herbs in this sauce lend layers of flavor without fat. The carrot, onion and Parmesan add volume and moisture.

Ingredients

Sauce:

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 3 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 (28-ounce) can crushed fire-roasted tomatoes, liquid included
  • 1 teaspoon finely minced canned chipotle en adobo and sauce, or more to taste
  • 2 teaspoons chopped oregano leaves
  • 1 sprig fresh rosemary
  • Salt
  • 1/4 cup torn fresh basil leaves

Meatballs:

  • Cooking spray
  • 1 pound ground turkey meat
  • 1 slice fresh whole-wheat bread, crusts removed, pulsed into crumbs
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan, plus more for serving
  • 1/2 cup finely grated carrot
  • 1/2 cup finely chopped onion
  • 2 large cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley leaves, plus more for garnish
  • 2 teaspoons minced fresh thyme leaves
  • 1 egg, lightly beaten
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 box (16 ounces) whole-wheat spaghetti

Directions

Fill a large stockpot with water and bring to a boil for pasta.

Make Sauce:

In a 4-quart saucepan heat the oil over medium heat. Saute the onions until translucent, about 3 minutes, then add the garlic and cook for 1 minute more. Add tomato paste, tomatoes, chipotles, oregano, rosemary, and salt. Bring all the ingredients to a low boil, reduce heat and cook for approximately 15 minutes, until liquid has evaporated slightly. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. While sauce is cooking, make meatballs.

Meatballs:

Preheat the broiler. Spray a baking sheet with cooking spray. Combine the turkey with all other ingredients in a large work bowl. Form into 2 1/2 -inch balls and place on a baking sheet. Broil for 10 minutes, or until browned and almost entirely cooked through.

Meanwhile, remove rosemary sprig from sauce and add fresh basil. Add the meatballs to the sauce, cover, and cook additional 10 minutes, or until sauce has slightly thickened and meatballs have absorbed some of the sauce. While the meatballs are cooking, cook the whole-wheat spaghetti according to package directions.

Drain the pasta and return it to the pot. Add the sauce and meatballs, toss and heat through over medium heat. Divide evenly among 4 pasta bowls and garnish with parsley and 1 tablespoon grated Parmesan.

Yield: 6 servings (1 serving equals about 1 1/3 cups pasta and sauce, plus 2 meatballs

Print Recipe

Wine Suggestion for This Recipe

Merlot

Merlot

Jammy, earthy red wine

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Newest Ratings and Reviews

Read all 206 reviews

  • on January 17, 2012

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    I loved the meatballs! They were moist with tons of flavor from the herbs, carrots, and onion. I didnt have thyme so I substituted fresh oregano. I think the choice of herbs is really interchangeable because they turned out great! Next time I will be making the full recipe with the sauce and noodles

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  • on January 08, 2012

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    My husband is not a fan of ground turkey but I made a double-batch of this recipe for a friend avoiding red meat and my family. I was a bit nervous about meatballs with carrots in them but my family, husband and 3 kids, loved the meatballs. This is my new go to recipe for meatballs!

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  • on November 14, 2011

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    The sauce blew me away! My new go to sauce for sure. I used Soy meatballs already made from Trader Joes. I seriously love meat, and I was quite satisfied. Sauce has enough spice that it hides the lack of "real" meat.

    people found this review Helpful.
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Nutrition Facts

Nutritional Analysis
per Serving
 
Calories
332
 
Carbohydrates
39 grams
 
Total Fat
10 grams
 
Saturated Fat
3 grams
 
Protein
23 grams
 
Fiber
8 grams
 
Sodium
568 milligrams
 

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