Spaghetti and Meatballs

Ingredients

• 8 ounces whole wheat spaghetti (1/2 (16-ounce) package)
• 1 small onion
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1 large egg
• 1 pound 93% lean ground turkey or beef
• 2 Tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 4 teaspoons Italian seasoning, divided
• 1 Tablespoon canola oil
• 1 (14-ounce) can crushed tomatoes, no salt added
• 1 (8-ounce) can tomato sauce, no salt added

Materials

• Large pot
• Large saucepan with lid
• Sharp knife
• Medium mixing bowl
• Cutting board
• Wooden spoon
• Measuring spoons
• Colander
• Can opener

Instructions

1. Cook spaghetti according to package directions. In a colander, rinse with cool water and drain well.
2. While the spaghetti is cooking, peel onion and garlic. Finely chop onion and mince garlic. Set aside.
3. In a medium mixing bowl, beat egg with a fork. Add turkey, flour, onion powder, garlic powder salt, pepper and 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning. Mix well. With damp hands, roll about 1 Tablespoon of meat into a ball to make 20 meatballs. Set aside.
4. In a large saucepan over medium heat, heat oil. Add onion and cook until softened, about 2 minutes. Add garlic and 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning. Stir constantly for 30 seconds. Add tomato sauce and crushed tomatoes. Bring to a boil, then lower heat to a simmer and add meatballs. Cook, partially covered, for 10 minutes without stirring (stirring before the meatballs “set” may break them up into the sauce).
5. Gently stir and cook, partially covered, until the meatballs are just cooked through, about 5 minutes more. Serve over spaghetti.

Chef’s Notes

• Try doubling the recipe (cook the meatballs and sauce in a large pot) and freeze half for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat on the stovetop or microwave until hot. Serve over freshly cooked pasta.
• If you don’t have Italian seasoning, use 2 teaspoons each dried basil and oregano instead.
• Make your own Tomato Sauce.