1000% percent I can survive off pasta and bread my whole life. Pasta feeds are a thing, ever since high school! The day before a basketball or softball game, someone's parent was in charge of hosting a pasta feed. The whole team would get together and we would enjoy this nice feast of pasta, salad, bread and dessert. The idea is to eat all the carbs a day before a game to gain all the energy, of course! I live for this. Pasta nights are my favorite.
This recipe, it's all about the meatballs! They're juicy and flavorful! Top it with endless shaved parm, fresh parsley and crushed red pepper flakes for a little kick!
Spaghetti & Ground Turkey Meatballs with Garlic Bread
Yield: 6-8 servings
Meatball Ingredients
2 lbs ground turkey
1 cup Italian breadcrumbs
½ cup grated parmesan cheese
2 tsp garlic seasoning blend (I used Susie Q’s Brand dried parsley, granulated garlic, salt&pepper)
2 beaten eggs
½ tsp fresh cracked pepper
¼ cup chopped flat leaf Italian parsley
Marinara Sauce and Spaghetti Ingredients
28 ounce marinara sauce (I used Raos Homemade Marinara)
I cup of water
1 shallot, diced
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 small carrots, diced
1 lb spaghetti
Garlic Bread
Ingredients
1 Loaf of French Bread
3 tbsp unsalted butter
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 tbsp olive oil
½ tsp kosher salt
¼ tsp fresh cracked pepper
2 tbsp chopped flat leaf parsley
Directions
In a large bowl, add the ground turkey, breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese, garlic seasoning blend, 2 beaten eggs, parsley, pepper.
Mix with your hands until all is incorporated. Form into meatballs, it should be slightly larger than a golf ball. It should make about 24 meatballs. Place the meatballs on a baking sheet.
Place the minced garlic, diced carrot and onion in a little bowl. Set aside.
Preheat a large wide skillet to medium high and drizzle with olive oil. Place half the meatballs in the skillet and sear all around, by flipping them when you see a nice golden color. Place them on a baking sheet. Repeat with the second batch of meatballs. **The meatballs should NOT be cooked through in the middle, to allow cook time in the sauce.
Start a very large pot of water and bring it to a boil, add a ton of salt. *salt it like the sea.
In the same skillet, drizzle olive oil, add the onion, garlic and carrot. Allow to cook for about 3-5 minutes. Then, pour the marinara sauce. Pour the one cup of water into the jar and shake to get the excess sauce and pour in the skillet. Allow the marinara sauce to simmer for 3 minutes.
Add all the meatballs into the sauce. Turn the heat down to medium low. Allow the meatballs to cook in the sauce for about 20-25 minutes. Until fork tender.
Add the spaghetti in the boiling salted water and boil for 11-12 minutes. * You should boil at least 1- 2 minutes less than what the package says, it should have a little bite.
Once the meatballs are tender, Place the spaghetti in the skillet with the meatballs and sauce. Toss the spaghetti so that it’s all coated. **If the sauce is too thick, you can add pasta water to thin it out.
Directions for Garlic Bread
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
Heat a small skillet to medium low and add the butter, oil, garlic and cook for about 5 minutes. Turn off heat and stir in salt, pepper, and parsley.
Slice the loaf lengthwise. Brush the garlic butter evenly on both slices of the bread. Wrap in foil and place in the oven for about 15 minutes.
Slice and ready to serve.
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