These turkey meatballs in tomato sauce are guilt-free comfort food at any time of the year. It a hearty and wholesome meal for the whole family in less than 30 minutes. Serve it over spaghetti, penne or any pasta you like
In a large pot of boiling salted water cook the pasta according to package instructions.
Meatballs
In a mixing bowl, combine ground turkey, garlic and onion powder, oregano, paprika.
Season with salt and pepper - combine well.
Add the breadcrumbs, parmesan, and egg. Combine well.
Shape them into about 16 to 18 balls. Set aside
Tomato sauce
In a Dutch oven or heavy-bottom skillet over medium-high heat, add tablespoon of olive oil.
Add the meatballs, sear them on all sides. Remove from the pans and set aside
To the same pan, add remaining oil and saute the onions and garlic.
Next add the bay leaves, oregano, and the crushed tomatoes
Season with salt and pepper. Add the sprigs of basil inside.
Cover and cook for 8 to 10 minutes
When done remove the basil leaves. Season and adjust seasoning.
Serve spaghetti topped with meatballs and sauce.
Enjoy
Recipe Notes
Use a Dutch oven or deep soup pot when making tomato-based sauces as tomato spatters while cooking
Don't make haste, give every step the time it needs to saute, sweat, and stew.
Saute onions until they are soft and translucent so later they will almost disappear in an effort to thicken the sauce.
Use a variety of tomatoes - different types of tomatoes bring different flavors and sweetness
This sauce works better with canned tomatoes if you use fresh tomatoes - cook the sauce for 2 hours on low then add the meatballs and cook further for 10 minutes.
Undercook the pasta if you plan to keep it for a while before servings. It will cook further while it sits in the hot sauce.
Make extra sauce but don't drown the pasta in the sauce. Remove some and save for later.
Extra sauce is amazing over pizza!!
The nutrition information and metric conversion are calculated automatically. I cannot guarantee its accuracy. If this data is important to you please verify with your trusted nutrition calculator. Thank you