Kid Approved! Spaghetti & Turkey Meatballs!

I've never posted a recipe on my blog before, but this year my goal is to cook more and fun things for our son. :) I always shared recipes with friends and family so why not?

I found the recipe originally on All Recipes of course like the picky eater I am I changed a few things to make this recipe somewhat healthy. My nieces & nephews (ages ranging 4 years -13 years old) here in Houston have all tried it and LOVE it! And of course Jett is a big fan! Oh and have no idea the meatballs are turkey. Even after they found out still gobbled it right up!

So what did I change?? For my version I used ground turkey rather then ground beef (not as greasy), added mushrooms, & tomatoe sauce (I like more sauce)

What I love the most about this recipe it is very inexpensive and it fills quite a few bellies. We always have left overs that we eat the next day for lunch or dinner again (it's THAT good). Also, most of these ingredients were already in my pantry. WIN WIN! Don't be decieved by the long grocery list below. It really isn't that much. Seems like it, but once it is said in done this dinner probably would cost around $10 or so. STEAL!!

If you have a TODDLER. This is a great finger dinner food. So easy for them to eat. Since the ground turkey just crumbles in their mouth. Not a lot of work for them to chew. Once the meatballs and sauce are done. To save for later meals I spoon out a I few meatballs that have been cooked & place them in a BPA free tupperware container. Then I stick in the freezer. Whenever I need one for dinner or lunch. I pull one out. Zap it in the microwave for 30 seconds and give it to my little one.****

Your Grocery List

For Meatballs
1 lb Ground Turkey
1 cup fresh bread crumbs

1 tablespoon dried parsley

1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese

1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

1/8 teaspoon garlic powder

1 egg, beaten

Sauce

3/4 cup chopped onion

mushrooms

5 cloves garlic, minced

1/4 cup olive oil

2 (28 ounce) cans whole peeled tomatoes

2 teaspoons salt

1 can of tomato sauce

1 teaspoon white sugar

1 bay leaf

1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste

3/4 teaspoon dried basil

1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

Pasta

Whole Wheat Spaghetti

Let Us Cook!

Making the SAUCE: In a large pot over medium heat, saute onion and garlic in olive oil until onion is translucent. Stir in tomatoes, mushroom, tomatoe sauce, salt, sugar and bay leaf. Cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer 90 minutes.  

Forming the MEATBALLS: As the sauce is brewing. In a large bowl, combine ground turkey, bread crumbs, parsley, Parmesan, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, garlic powder and beaten egg. Mix well and form into 12 balls. Store, covered, in refrigerator until needed.           

Adding Meatballs: Stir in tomato paste, basil, 1/2 teaspoon pepper and meatballs into the sauce and simmer 30 minutes more. Yes, you read right add meatballs straight into the sauce. Cooking in the sauce prevents the meatballs from drying out. Occasionaly & lightly (without breaking the meatballs apart) stir the meatballs so they don't stick to the bottom.

Cook Pasta: Boil water. Add whole wheat pasta noodles. Strain.

The finished product

(please excuse the paper plate all of our dishes are packed since we are still renovating)

Soooo Jett what do you think???

Looks like it's a winner! Happy customer!

Enjoy!! I will be posting more recipes. I am all about cooking in 2012!!

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