Turkey Meatballs with Spaghetti

I'm always trying to find new, yummy ways to use ground turkey. My family prefers ground beef, but I am determined to convince them ground turkey tastes good! Does it taste the same as ground beef? No, but it is still good.

I adapted this recipe from the Food Network. I only buy "extra lean" turkey, so the guilt factor is very low. The next day, we ate the leftover meatballs on wheat bread.

Turkey Meatballs

1 1/4 pounds ground turkey
1 small onion, grated
1 teaspoon dried oregano
2 teaspoons chopped fresh basil

2 to 3 cloves minced garlic
2 large eggs
1 cup bread crumbs (fresh is best)
1/2 cup milk
1/4 cup olive oil
1 tablespoon butter
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, for dusting the meat balls before browning

Quick Tomato Sauce

1 28-ounce can Pastene Kitchen Ready tomatoes

2 cloves garlic

1 carrot, grated

2 T olive oil

1 - 2 t. sugar

3 or 4 stalks fresh basil, chopped

Mix turkey, onion, oregano, basil, garlic, and salt and pepper. Add eggs, bread crumbs, and milk. Roll meatballs to desired size. Heat a large saute pan. Add oil and butter and cook over medium heat. Dust meatballs in a little flour and brown. The meatballs should be browned on medium heat.

Meanwhile, make the sauce. Saute carrot in olive oil. Add the garlic. Cook over low to medium heat until soft. Add tomatoes and sugar and simmer for about 15 minutes.

After meatballs are brown, place in the sauce. Simmer until meatballs are completely cooked through. Add the basil before serving.