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
Turn humble onions into this thrifty yet luxe pasta dinner.
Filberts, goobers, scaly bark nuts: Explore the world beyond almonds in this guide.
Like crispy gnocchi caprese and raspberry—brown butter skillet cake.
A flurry of fresh tarragon makes this speedy weeknight dish of seared cod and luscious, sun-colored pan sauce feel restaurant worthy.
The secret to flavorful, never-greasy eggplant parm? Brine the eggplant first.
Like hot honey chicken with peaches and a dirty martini spritz.
No grill needed for this just-charred-enough sweet and spicy chicken.
Fontina and fried shallots make this diner-style omelet perfectly acceptable dinner fare.