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Spaghetti with Turkey Meatballs

To make meatballs that are moist and tender, avoid using very lean ground turkey. For convenience, make a batch of sauce and meatballs ahead and freeze for up to three months.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    serves 6

Ingredients

3 tablespoons olive oil
4 garlic cloves, minced
5 cups canned crushed tomatoes
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
Coarse salt and fresh ground pepper
1 large egg
1/3 cup milk
1 medium onion, finely chopped
2/3 cup plain dried breadcrumbs
1/2 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
1/2 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
1 pound ground turkey (preferably 93 percent lean)
1 pound spaghetti

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Make the sauce: In a large nonstick skillet, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the garlic, and cook for about 1 minute. Stir in the tomatoes, oregano, and thyme, and season with salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, lower the heat, and simmer, covered, for 20 to 25 minutes.

    Step 2

    Meanwhile, make the meatballs: In a large bowl, whisk together the egg, milk, 1 1/4 teaspoons salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper with a fork. Stir in the onion, breadcrumbs, cheese, and parsley. Add the turkey, and mix until combined. Form the mixture into 1 1/2-inch balls.

    Step 3

    Add the meatballs to the skillet, and spoon the sauce over to coat. Simmer over medium heat until the meatballs are just cooked through, about 8 minutes.

    Step 4

    While the meatballs simmer, cook the spaghetti in a large pot of boiling salted water until al dente according to the package instructions. Drain the pasta, transfer to the skillet, and toss gently with the meatballs and sauce. Serve with more cheese.

  2. forming meatballs

    Step 5

    Keeping your hands wet when shaping meatballs will prevent the meat from sticking, making the task much easier.

Reprinted with permission from Everyday Food: Great Food Fast by Martha Stewart Living Magazine. Copyright © 2007 by Martha Stewart Living Magazine. Published by Crown Publishing Group. All Rights Reserved. Martha Stewart Living magazine was first published in 1990. Over the years, more than two dozen books have been published by the magazine's editors. Martha Stewart is the author of dozens of best-selling books on cooking, entertaining, gardening, weddings, and decorating. She is the host of The Martha Stewart Show, the successful daily syndicated television show.
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