Spaghetti and Meatballs

This is my absolute favorite home cooked meal to make, especially on cold nights. It’s such a warming comfort food, that can be made super basic, or packed with tons of veggies! I love to spice up my sauce with different types of veggies, usually whatever is laying around in the fridge that needs to be used up. I also like to add diced tomatoes as well as regular tomato sauce for some extra texture.

YOU WILL NEED:
•2 large pots

•1 strainer

•Wooden spoon

•Baking pan

•Sauté pan

•1 pound gluten free spaghetti

INGREDIENTS:
MEATBALLS:

•1 pound ground turkey

•3 spicy Italian sausages, casing removed

•1 egg

•1/4 cup gluten free bread crumbs

•1 small onion, diced finely

•1/4 green pepper, diced finely

•1/2 teaspoon dried basil

•1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

•1/2 teaspoon ground garlic

•1/4 teaspoon dried rosemary

•Shredded mozzarella cheese

SAUCE:

•1 can tomato sauce

•1 can tomato paste

•1 can diced tomatoes

•1 small onion, diced

•2 Tablespoons olive oil

•2 cloves garlic, minced

•1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

•1/2 teaspoon dried basil

•1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary

•Salt, as needed

•Pepper, as needed

INSTRUCTIONS:

1.) Preheat oven to 350Fº and grease the baking sheet.

2.) In a large bowl, combine the ingredients for the meatballs until it comes together. Roll into small 2 inch balls, and poke a finger into the center of each one and fill with a small pinch of mozzarella cheese. Re-roll the mixture over.

3.) Heat the sauté pan with a teaspoon of olive oil and sear the meatballs for about 2-3 minutes, or until they are golden brown all around. Place on the baking sheet and bake in the oven for an additional 18 minutes.

4.) Fill a large pot with water and bring to a boil, then add in the pasta, and cook for about 8-10 minutes.

5.) In a large pot, for the sauce, sauté the onion and garlic in the olive oil until the onions are translucent. Then, add in the tomato sauce, puree, diced tomatoes, and seasonings.

6.) To serve, add some pasta into a bowl, ladle over it a generous serving of sauce, a couple of meatballs, and a sprinkling of parmesan cheese.