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Close-up of pasta with meat balls and herb sauce on a white plate, garnished with fresh herbs.

Simple Pasta With Meat Balls And Herb Sauce

Craving a delicious and easy dinner? This simple pasta with meat balls and herb sauce recipe is ready in minutes!
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Course Main Course
Cuisine Italian

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound ground turkey or chicken
  • 1 egg
  • 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon each garlic powder and onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • black pepper to taste
  • 8 ounces spaghetti, linguine, or cappellini
  • 1 stick (1/2 cup) Land O Lakes® Butter
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest
  • 3 ounces fresh spinach, chopped
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan
  • 1/4 cup water
  • a squeeze of lemon juice, salt, and pepper to finish

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Mix all the meatball ingredients until well combined. Roll into 30 small balls. Place on a baking sheet lined with foil and sprayed with oil to prevent sticking. Bake for 25-30 minutes.
  • Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
  • Melt butter in a large, deep pot over medium heat. Add the garlic and lemon zest. Sauté for a few minutes (don’t brown the garlic, but get the butter going so it’s a little bit sizzly).
  • Add spinach and parsley and cook until just wilted.
  • Add pasta, meatballs, and Parmesan. Toss to combine. Add water (or white wine) as needed to loosen it up and make it a little more creamy. Add seasoning to taste – including a final squeeze of lemon! Stand over pot, eat forkfuls of pasta, and repeat. ♡
Keyword easy recipe, herb sauce, homemade meatballs, meatballs
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