Turkey Meatballs and Spaghetti

This is one of our comfort food 
family dinners. It's an old standard.
This dinner comes together very quickly.

Make the sauce first and while it simmers 

you can make the meatballs.

I hadn't made it in years. 

Very basic ingredients

 Dump all the sauce ingredients into a saucepan,
stir together and let the sauce simmer while
 you make the meatballs

In a large bowl combine the meatball ingredients.
You can use either Italian or plain breadcrumbs.
I do think fresh garlic and parsley make a big
difference in the taste. I always have a
pot of parsley growing on my patio or
in my garden. Buy yourself a pot and you'll
have fresh parsley for a long time.

 After it's thoroughly mixed, roll into balls.
 You should get about 22-24.

 Saute in about 2 T olive oil quickly to brown.

I turn them using two spoons.

 Add the sauce to the meatballs, or add the
meatballs to the sauce. Just be sure to get
all the flavorful browned bits.

 I have also, on occasion, just added the meatballs
right into the sauce without the browning step.
If that's how you like it, do it that way.

 Cover and simmer 30 minutes or a
little longer if you have skipped the
browning step.

Serve over hot spaghetti and
sprinkle with parmesan cheese.
And teach your children the
'Meatball Song'

Turkey Meatballs

Sauce:

1 can diced tomatoes-15 oz

1 can tomato paste- 6 oz

1 can water- 6 oz 

1 can mushrooms- 4 oz

2 T Worcestershire sauce

1 bay leaf

1 t salt

1/4 t pepper

1/4 t oregano
1/8 t red pepper flakes (opt.)

Combine in a saucepan and simmer for

 one hour Add the meatballs for the 

last 30 minutes

Meatballs

1 lb. ground turkey

1/2 C breadcrumbs

1/4 C parmesan cheese

1 garlic clove, minced

2 T chopped fresh parsley

1 egg

1/2 t salt

1/8 t pepper

Combine all ingredients and mix well.

Shape into meatballs. Heat 3 T

olive oil in a large skillet and saute the 

meatballs until browned but not thoroughly

cooked. Add to the sauce in the pan, 

scraping in all the browned bits. Simmer

 in the sauce another 30 minutes. 

Serve over hot spaghetti.

Enjoy!

tip: I use seasoned breadcrumbs, if I only have
plain I'll add about 1 t Italian herbs.
Use 1 t garlic powder if you don't have fresh.

Links: Six Sister's Stuff,
Stone Gable, Coastal Charm,
Between Naps On The Porch,
A Stroll Thru Life