turkey and beef meatballs with whole-wheat spaghetti recipe

 

turkey and beef meatballs with whole-wheat spaghetti 

easy and delicious—try serving with Parmesan Green Beans 

8 oz dry whole-wheat spaghetti

2 C Super Quick Chunky Tomato Sauce 

1 Tbsp fresh basil, rinsed, dried, and chopped (or 1 tsp dried)

4 tsp grated parmesan cheese

For turkey meatballs:

6 oz 99 percent lean ground turkey

¼ C whole-wheat breadcrumbs

2 Tbsp fat-free evaporated milk

1 Tbsp grated parmesan cheese

½ Tbsp fresh chives, rinsed, dried, and chopped (or 1 tsp dried)

½ Tbsp fresh parsley, rinsed, dried, and chopped (or 1 tsp dried)

For beef meatballs:

6 oz 93 percent lean ground beef

¼ C whole-wheat breadcrumbs

2 Tbsp fat-free evaporated milk

1 Tbsp grated parmesan cheese

½ Tbsp fresh chives, rinsed, dried, and chopped (or 1 tsp dried)

½ Tbsp fresh parsley, rinsed, dried, and chopped (or 1 tsp dried)

1. Preheat oven to 400 ºF.

2. In a 4-quart saucepan, bring 3 quarts of water to a boil over high heat.

3. Add pasta, and cook according to package directions. Drain.

4. Meanwhile, combine ingredients for the turkey and beef meatballs in separate bowls, and mix well. Measure 1½ tablespoons of turkey mixture and roll in hand to form a ball; then place the meatball on a nonstick baking sheet. Repeat, and follow same instruction for beef mixture, until eight turkey and eight beef meatballs are made.

5. Bake meatballs on a nonstick baking sheet for 10 minutes (to a minimal internal temperature of 165 ºF).

6. Warm sauce, if necessary.

7. Serve four meatballs, ¾ cup hot pasta, ½ cup sauce, 1 teaspoon cheese, and a pinch of basil per portion.

 

Older children can help make the meatballs. Make sure everyone washes their hands and sanitizes all utensils and surfaces with disinfectant after handling raw meat.

prep time:

20 minutes

(25 minutes with

homemade sauce)

cook time:

20 minutes

(35 minutes with

homemade sauce)

yield:

4 servings

serving size:

4 meatballs, ¾ C pasta,

½ C sauce, 1 tsp cheese,

pinch of basil

each serving provides:

calories 299

total fat 5 g

saturated fat 1 g

cholesterol 41 mg

sodium 277 mg

total fiber 5 g

protein 28 g

carbohydrates 37 g

potassium 194 mg

vitamin A 10%

vitamin C 15%

calcium 10%

iron 25%

Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.pasta dishes