Spaghetti and Homemade Turkey Meatballs

#TBT: SPAGHETTI WITH HOMEMADE
TURKEY MEATBALLS

By The Dish

Here’s a throwback from the Plated recipe archives! Spaghetti and meatballs is a classic homemade dinner, but this recipe is even better than you remember! Made-from-scratch spaghetti sauce takes this quick meal from a boring pasta recipe to gourmet family dinner.

Spaghetti and Homemade Turkey Meatballs

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Yield: 2 Servings

• 8 ounces spaghetti
• 1 medium onion, cut in half
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 5 ounces ground turkey
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 1 egg
• ¼ cup milk
• 3 tablespoons breadcrumbs
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese
• 15 ounce can whole tomatoes
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• salt and pepper
• olive oil

Boil water in a large pot. Add 2 tablespoons salt, return to boil. Add pasta, stir and cook until al dente, about 10 minutes. Drain and set aside.

Heat oven to 350° F. Grate half of the onion into a medium bowl, combine half of the minced garlic, egg, milk, breadcrumbs, oregano, cheese, and a sprinkle of salt and pepper. Gently mix in the turkey until completely combined. The texture should be similar to pliable cookie dough, add a teaspoon of milk or more breadcrumbs if needed. Shape turkey into 1 inch balls, place on pan coated with olive oil and bake for 15 minutes, turning once.

Meanwhile, dice remaining half of the onion. In a sauté pan, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium high heat. Add onion and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add remaining garlic, cook for 3 minutes more. Stir in tomato paste and let darken, about 2 minutes. Meanwhile, pour tomatoes into a bowl and crush with hands or the back of a spoon. Add tomatoes and sugar to pan and bring to a boil.

Reduce heat to medium low and let simmer, uncovered, for 15 minutes. Taste and add additional salt and pepper if desired. Add meatballs to sauce and simmer until turkey is cooked through and flavors are combined, about 10 minutes.

Serve sauce and meatballs on top of pasta.