Chicken Meatballs with Pasta

Instructions

1. Prepare the Meatball Mixture

   2 min hands-on

   • Finely chop the parsley and add it to a large mixing bowl.
   • Incorporate the ground chicken, egg, a portion of seasoned breadcrumbs, a portion of grated Parmesan, salt, and a pinch of cayenne pepper. Mix thoroughly until evenly combined.

2. Shape the Meatballs

   4 min hands-on

   • Roll the mixture into small, uniform meatballs, approximately 2.5 cm in diameter.
   • Place them on a tray or plate and set aside.

3. Sear the Meatballs

   7 min hands-on

   • Heat a large skillet or saucepan over medium heat and add olive oil.
   • Cook the meatballs in batches, turning to brown all sides, about 6–8 minutes total.
   • Remove and set aside.

4. Prepare the Sauce Base

   2 min hands-on

   • In the same pan, add more olive oil and lightly crush the garlic cloves.
   • Sauté the garlic over medium heat until fragrant and golden, about 1–2 minutes.
   • Add chopped basil and cayenne pepper, letting them sizzle for about 30 seconds.

5. Cook the Tomato Sauce

   1 min hands-on5 min waiting

   • Pour in the tomato sauce and stir well.
   • Add salt and bring to a gentle simmer.
   • Let the sauce cook for 5 minutes to meld flavors.

6. Simmer the Meatballs in Sauce

   2 min hands-on20 min waiting

   • Lower the heat to medium-low for a gentle simmer.
   • Return the meatballs to the pan, partially submerging them in the sauce.
   • Cover and cook for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.

7. Cook the Pasta

   2 min hands-on10 min waiting

   • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
   • Cook the whole-grain pasta according to package instructions until al dente.
   • Reserve a cup of pasta water before draining.

8. Combine Pasta with Sauce

   2 min hands-on

   • Toss the cooked pasta with most of the tomato sauce from the pan.
   • If needed, add reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce.
   • Stir in a portion of grated Parmesan for richness.

9. Assemble and Serve

   2 min hands-on

   • Plate the pasta and top with meatballs.
   • Drizzle additional tomato sauce over the top.
   • Garnish with freshly chopped basil or parsley and serve.
   • Cooking tips:
   • Avoid overworking the meatball mixture to keep them tender.
   • Use medium heat when frying meatballs to ensure even browning.
   • Blend the tomato sauce for a smoother texture if preferred.
   • Enhance herby flavor by adding extra basil leaves or a sprinkle of oregano.
   • For a gluten-free version, substitute breadcrumbs with almond flour and use gluten-free pasta.