HealthNotes

Spaghetti and Meatballs

• From: Eclectic Recipes

Ingredients

• Meatballs2 slices white bread (or wheat bread), toasted and ground finely in food processor

• 1 1/4 lbs ground turkey (or ground beef)

• 1/2 large onion, diced finely

• 2 cloves garlic, diced finely

• 2 eggs

• 1 tsp dried Italian herbs

• 1/4 tsp dried red pepper flakes (optional)

• 1/4 tsp smoked paprika

• 1 tsp kosher salt

• 1 tsp pepper

• 1/4 cup olive oil, plus 1 Tbs

• Sauce1/2 large sweet onion, diced finely

• 2 med carrots, diced finely

• 1 pinch kosher salt, or to taste

• 1 pinch pepper, or to taste

• 2 cloves garlic, diced finely

• 1 28 oz can Italian tomatoes

• 1 6 oz can tomato paste

• 1 tsp dried Italian herbs

• 1/4 tsp dried red pepper flakes (optional)

• 1/4 cup red wine

• Parsley for garnish (optional)

• Grated Parmesan cheese for garnish (optional)

• 1 package spaghetti, cooked according to package directions

As messy as it is satisfying—kids and adults will all leave the table happy.

Directions

• Meatballs:Toast bread and add to a food processor; pulse until fine.
• Add bread crumbs, ground meat, onion, garlic, eggs, herbs, red pepper flakes (if desired), paprika, salt, pepper, and 1/4 cup olive oil to a large mixing bowl.
• Preheat a large skillet. Drizzle with 1 Tbs olive oil. Add meatballs to skillet by spooning them in one at a time.
• Fry until browned over medium heat and remove to another pan.
• Cook until almost done in the center because you will finish cooking in the sauce. You may also have to add more oil as you cook all the meatballs.
• Sauce:In the same skillet you cooked your meatballs in, add onions and carrots with a little kosher salt. Cook until tender.
• Add garlic and cook a little while longer, just until fragrant.
• Add canned tomatoes and scrape up all the brown bits left on the bottom.
• Add tomato paste, herbs, and hot pepper flakes, if desired. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Add red wine. Bring to a boil and reduce to a simmer.
• Add meatballs and simmer for 15–20 minutes. Serve over pasta.
• If desired, top with fresh parsley and grated Parmesan cheese.
• Cook pasta according to package instructions and top with meatballs and sauce.