Skip to main content

Spaghetti with Turkey-Pesto Meatballs

In addition to being packed with meaty flavor, turkey is a healthy alternative to beef, rendering this a great dinner option for the whole family; to really save on fat and calories, stick to lean ground turkey. Pair this dish with a green salad and red wine, then finish off the meal with bowls of your favorite ice cream.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    Makes 2 servings (can be doubled)

Ingredients

2 cups favorite chunky tomato pasta sauce
1/2 pound ground turkey
3/4 cup fresh bread crumbs made from crustless Italian bread
2 3/4 tablespoons favorite pesto
1 large egg white
1/4 teaspoon salt
8 ounces spaghetti

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Spread 1 cup of pasta sauce over the bottom of a heavy medium skillet. Mix the turkey, bread crumbs, pesto, egg white, and salt in a medium bowl. Using moistened hands, form mixture into 8 meatballs. Place the meatballs in a single layer in the sauce. Spoon the remaining sauce over and bring to a simmer. Cover, reduce the heat to medium-low, and simmer until the meatballs are cooked through, stirring occasionally, about 20 minutes.

    Step 2

    Cook the pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water until just tender but still firm to the bite. Drain pasta; divide between bowls. Top with meatballs and sauce.

The Epicurious Cookbook
Read More
Like carrot farro salad and chicken paella.
Like hot honey chicken with peaches and a dirty martini spritz.
Rotisserie chicken makes quick work of these no-cook rolls with a spicy peanut sauce.
A crowd-friendly, crisp-edged chicken and vegetable rice from chef José Andrés.
With dramatic choux layers and fruit-rippled cream, it’s the drag queen of Polish desserts.
Tender, buttery breakfast pastries with crisp caramelized edges, a fragrant cinnamon-orange filling, and a crackly sugar topping.
Turn humble onions into this thrifty yet luxe pasta dinner.
Filberts, goobers, scaly bark nuts: Explore the world beyond almonds in this guide.