- 4
Ingredients
- For Meatballs:
- 1/3 cup finely grated parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup finely chopped mushrooms
- 1/2 cup yellow onion, finely chopped
- 1 tsp italian seasoning
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp sea salt
- 1 egg, well beaten
- 1 lb ground turkey (ground chicken or beef would work here too – do not use extra lean chicken/turkey or they will be dry
- For sauce (or use your own favorite pasta sauce):
- 2 tsp olive oil
- 2-3 cloves garlic, minced (or 1 tsp garlic powder)
- 1 cup yellow onion, chopped
- 3 cups baby spinach, torn
- 1 cup mushrooms, chopped (optional but I love mushrooms!)
- 28-oz can diced tomatoes, no salt added
- 1 28-oz can crushed tomatoes, no salt added
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
- Salt and Pepper to taste (I like to use 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper in this sauce for a little kick)
- For serving:
- Gluten-free pasta of choice (about 8-12 0z, depending on how much you want to eat)
- Additional grated parmesan for serving, optional
Preparation
Step 1
1. Preheat oven to 350F and line a baking sheet with foil or parchment. For the meatballs, add all ingredients except meat in a medium mixing bowl and stir to combine. Break up the ground meat and carefully incorporate/fold into the parmesan mixture. Do not over mix or the meatballs will become tough. Shape into balls (I use a tablespoon for ease) and place on baking sheet. Bake for about 10-13 minutes or until no longer pink in the center, then remove from oven.
2. While meatballs are cooking, prepare the tomato sauce. Heat oil in large saucepan on medium heat, then add onions and cook for 2 minutes. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add mushrooms (if using) to pan, stir and cook an additional 2 minutes. Add spinach, canned tomatoes, tomato paste and basil, then stir. Add salt and pepper for taste and cook sauce for 5 – 10 minutes over medium heat, then reduce heat to low and let simmer.
3. Once meatballs are removed from oven, add to simmering sauce.
4. Cook pasta according to directions on the package and drain. Either add pasta to serving bowls, spoon sauce with meatballs over pasta and sprinkle with parmesan OR add pasta to sauce and toss to combine, then add to bowls and sprinkle with additional parmesan*. Enjoy!