Serves 8
45 min
Skinny Spaghetti and Meatballs
Recipe GLPR95835b7432125e
A lighter take on a classic comfort food. Lean ground turkey meatballs are loaded with minced bell peppers for extra vegetables and flavor, bound with whole wheat breadcrumbs and eggs, then baked until tender. The meatballs are simmered in smooth spaghetti sauce with fresh parsley, then tossed with al dente pasta for a satisfying, nutritious meal that the whole family will enjoy.
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Ingredients
2 large eggs
¾ cup Italian seasoned whole wheat breadcrumbs
¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
2 cups minced bell peppers (about 15 mini peppers)
1½ pounds ground turkey
½ teaspoon salt, plus extra for seasoning
Freshly ground black pepper to taste
16 ounces uncooked spaghetti
35 ounces spaghetti sauce
¼ cup fresh minced parsley
Grated Parmesan cheese for topping
Directions
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Prepare the bell peppers by mincing them finely.
In a large bowl, beat the eggs until well combined.
Add the Italian seasoned breadcrumbs and grated Parmesan cheese to the beaten eggs. Stir until the mixture becomes thick and sticky.
Add the minced bell peppers, ground turkey, and salt to the breadcrumb mixture.
Using your hands, mix the entire meatball mixture thoroughly until all ingredients are evenly distributed and the mixture holds together well.
Roll the mixture into meatballs of your preferred size (smaller meatballs will yield approximately 50 meatballs). Place each meatball on a greased baking sheet.
Generously sprinkle the meatballs with additional salt and freshly ground black pepper.
Bake the meatballs in the preheated oven for 20 minutes, until they are cooked through (internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit). Remove from the oven and set aside.
While the meatballs are baking, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the spaghetti according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
In a large saucepan, heat the spaghetti sauce over medium heat.
Gently add the cooked meatballs and fresh minced parsley to the warm sauce. Stir carefully to combine, then cover the saucepan.
Simmer the meatballs in the sauce for a few minutes to allow the flavors to meld and ensure the sauce is heated through.
Combine the cooked spaghetti with the meatball sauce in the saucepan, or simply spoon the sauce and meatballs over the spaghetti on individual plates.
Finish each serving with a sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan cheese and serve immediately.
