Description
Tender, lean turkey and ricotta meatballs are baked to perfection and served with al dente rigatoni tossed in a vibrant garlic and fresh spinach sauce.
Ingredients
1.25 lbs lean ground turkey
1/2 cup part-skim ricotta cheese
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
1/4 cup plain breadcrumbs
1 large egg
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
1/2 teaspoon salt, plus more for pasta water
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 tablespoon olive oil, plus more for sauce
1 lb rigatoni pasta
4 cloves garlic, minced
5 oz fresh baby spinach
1/4 cup reserved pasta water
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Step 2: In a large bowl, combine the ground turkey, ricotta cheese, 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, breadcrumbs, egg, garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Mix gently until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
Step 3: Form the mixture into 1-inch meatballs and place them on the prepared baking sheet. You should get about 20-24 meatballs.
Step 4: Bake the meatballs for 20-25 minutes, or until cooked through and lightly golden. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C).
Step 5: While the meatballs are baking, bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the rigatoni and cook according to package directions until al dente. Before draining, reserve 1/4 cup of the pasta water.
Step 6: In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
Step 7: Add the fresh baby spinach to the skillet. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the spinach wilts down completely, about 3-4 minutes.
Step 8: Add the drained rigatoni to the skillet with the garlic and spinach. Pour in the reserved pasta water and toss to combine, allowing the sauce to coat the pasta. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper to taste.
Step 9: Gently add the baked turkey & ricotta meatballs to the skillet with the pasta. Toss carefully to combine and warm through. If needed, add a splash more olive oil or pasta water to reach desired consistency.
Step 10: Divide the pasta and meatballs among serving plates. Garnish generously with fresh chopped parsley and extra grated Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately.
Notes
For an extra layer of flavor, you can add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the garlic when sautéing for a subtle kick. Fresh basil can be used instead of or in addition to parsley for garnish.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking, Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe
- Calories: 550 kcal
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 650mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 60g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 95mg