Spaghetti and Turkey Meatballs

I wasn’t ready to admit that I love spaghetti and meatballs until I (recently) recovered from adolescent insecurities.

I was afraid to accept my penchant for this kid-friendly classic because of it’s obvious, universal appeal. It’s like saying you think Brad Pitt is attractive (I do) or that Christmas is your favorite holiday (I mean, duh).

Spaghetti and meatballs is the simplest, most beloved of American dinners. It’s hardly anything to write about.

this recipe

Plus, the stakes are high when recreating anyone’s favorite dish.

I’ll just say this: a classic meal is meant to be riffed on, torn apart, reimagined, then destroyed again.

Think of how many versions of the Mona Lisa there are. Some people prefer the original, some prefer Mona with a mustache.

Trigger warning: the following recipe may offend you.

I’ll get the worst part out in the open: I use ground turkey for my meatballs.

I do this because I am more excited by the sauce than the meat, and beef outshines everything that tries to compete with it.

This is not a recipe for great meatballs, it’s a recipe for great spaghetti-and-meatballs. The dish is more cohesive if meat does not play the main role.

Next bombshell: I do not bake or fry the meatballs before introducing them to the sauce.

I find this step unnecessary, and the meatballs almost always dry out (especially if you’re using turkey) if you bake or fry them first.

Finally, just to really piss you off, might I suggest serving the turkey meatballs over spaghetti squash instead of pasta?

Roasted with olive oil, salt and pepper, spaghetti squash turns from lemon-yellow to bright golden in the oven. Shred the inside of the vegetable with a fork, and it comes out in thin strands like angel hair pasta. Perfectly al-dente.

I don’t suggest making this swap all the time, but I want you to know the option is out there, and it’s delicious.

Spaghetti and meatballs is iconic; it’s a cultural phenomenon that belongs to everyone in their own way. And I’m finally ready to admit- this is the way I like it.

WATCH how to make Spaghetti with Turkey Meatballs 👇

Print Recipe

Spaghetti and Turkey Meatballs

(7 votes, average: 4.43 out of 5)

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Dinner – American

By Samantha – Serves: 4

Prep Time: 15 minutes – Cooking Time: 30 minutes – Total Time: 45 minutes

Lightened-up turkey meatballs baked in simple homemade marinara sauce and served over spaghetti squash or pasta. An American dinner classic, my way.

Ingredients

• For the meatballs:
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh parsley
• 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 1 pound ground turkey
• Extra virgin olive oil
• For the sauce:
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 6 cloves garlic, pressed or finely chopped
• 1 28-ounce can whole or crushed tomatoes
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/2 tsp dried oregano
• 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
• 1 tsp salt
• Fresh torn basil or chopped parsley, for topping
• 1 pound spaghetti, cooked according to package directions, for serving
• Freshly grated Parmesan cheese, for serving

Instructions

1

In a large bowl, whisk together the egg, salt, pepper, oregano, and parsley. Add the breadcrumbs and mix lightly with a spoon, then add the turkey and mix lightly with the spoon (or your hands) until just combined. Using a greased tablespoon measure, divide the mixture into slightly rounded tablespoons and place on a parchment-lined sheet pan. With greased or slightly wet hands (to prevent sticking), lightly form the mixture into small meatballs the size of ping pong balls (or larger if you'd prefer). You will have about 20 meatballs. Lightly drizzle with olive oil (this will help them brown) and roll them around once or twice to evenly coat. Keep them in the fridge while you make the sauce.

2

Heat the oven to 425℉.

3

For the sauce, heat the olive oil in a large, oven-safe skillet over medium-low. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add tomatoes, 1/2 cup water, dried oregano, red pepper flakes, and salt. Simmer until thickened, 10-15 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning.

4

Add meatballs straight from the refrigerator into the sauce. Cover the skillet with an oven-proof top (I don't have one so I just use tin foil). Transfer the skillet into the oven and bake, covered, for 8 minutes. Uncover, return to oven and bake 2-4 mins more, until meatballs are cooked through (internal temp of 165℉) and lightly browned on top.

5

Remove the skillet from the oven and garnish with freshly chopped parsley or torn basil.

6

Serve with spaghetti, topped with plenty of freshly grated Parmesan.

Nutrition

• 409 Calories

Notes

Although spaghetti and meatballs is not actually an Italian dish, it pairs wonderfully with Italian wine. Try it with Montepulciano d’Abruzzo or a light Sicilian red. Since we are using turkey meatballs, I would stay away from overly heavy reds. You could even go for a really dry Pinot Grigio if you want white wine.