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Country Italian Meatballs

Juicy turkey meatballs and homemade tomato sauce
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Course Main Course
Cuisine Italian
Servings 8

Ingredients
  

For the Sauce

  • 1/2 yellow onion chopped
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 28oz can of crushed tomatoes
  • 1 28oz can of whole tomatoes or tomato sauce San Marzano are the best!
  • 1 15oz can of fire roasted diced tomatoes regular diced tomatoes will work too
  • 1/2 can of tomato paste or 3 tbsp
  • 1 cup of white wine any kind will work- even red wine if that's all you have
  • 2 tbsp minced garlic
  • 1 tbsp of basil paste, dried basil, or fresh basil I love the basil paste- found in the refrigerated section of the produce departmentTo
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 1 1/4 tbsp salt
  • 1 tbsp italian seasoning
  • 1 tsp parsley
  • 1/4 tsp chili powder
  • 1 tbsp honey

For the Meatballs

  • 2 lbs ground turkey you can also use ground beef or italian sausage
  • 1 cup ricotta cheese
  • 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
  • 3/4 cup sun dried tomatoes in oil chopped
  • 2 tbsp minced garlic
  • 1 cup chopped spinach
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp pepper
  • 1 tbsp basil paste, dried or fresh basil

Let's Make It
 

  • To make the sauce, cook down the onions in the olive oil until softened, add the garlic and cook for an additional minute or two. Then, add the remaining sauce ingredients, give it a good stir and simmer covered on low until the meatballs are done.
    ****If you are using whole tomatoes, blend them in a food processor or blender until they turn into a sauce-like texture.
  • Meanwhile pre-heat your oven to 425 degrees- grab a bowl and a cookie sheet. In the bowl, add all of the meatball ingredients except for the ricotta cheese and mix thoroughly, then, add the fold in the ricotta- try not to over mix.
  • Roll the meatballs in to 1 1/2 inch balls and place on prepared cookie sheet about 1 inch apart. Cook the meatballs at 425 degrees for 15 minutes- then, turn the oven on broil and cook for an additional 5 minutes.
  • Add the meatballs to the sauce and simmer (uncovered) on low for another 20-40 minutes.
    ****The meatballs my not be cooked all the way through, adding them to the sauce and letting them continue to cook will add a ton of flavor!
  • Serve meatballs over your favorite pasta or tortellini. Enjoy!
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