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    Home » main course » chicken » Turning the Page: Spaghetti with Chicken Meatballs and Spicy Red Pepper Sauce

    Turning the Page: Spaghetti with Chicken Meatballs and Spicy Red Pepper Sauce

    Jan 12, 2015 · 7 Comments

    I've made (and broken) my fair share of New Year's Resolutions in my life, but this year I'm trying something a little different. Instead of making a really specific resolution like taking up kale smoothies or losing those pesky 10 lbs around my midsection, I've resolved to simply take better care of myself.

    Spaghetti with Chicken Meatballs and Spicy Red Pepper Sauce

    By that, I mean I need to stop spending so many evenings on the couch, procrastinating on the more productive things I ought to be doing. It's far too easy for an entire evening to slip by watching bad TV, which happens to be my personal vice.

    (Some people have a fondness for cigarettes or fine scotch... me, I love me some brainless television shows. I do draw the line at reality shows, though, because there's a difference between delightfully crappy and just plain bad.)

    Spaghetti with Chicken Meatballs and Spicy Red Pepper Sauce

    That's not to say that I'm planning on giving up bad TV entirely (especially not when we're into the final season of Glee), but I do plan on setting aside an evening or two to do more productive things.

    Like, say, taking some classes to pick up some new skills, catching up with friends over drinks, researching my next big trip, or possibly reorganizing my disaster of a closet. Because no one ever looks back on their life and wishes they'd watched a few more episodes of Law and Order.

    Spaghetti with Chicken Meatballs and Spicy Red Pepper Sauce

    And heck, while I'm at it, I should probably try to eat a little better. More veggies and fiber, less desserts and greasy burgers.

    I'm also trying to come up with some lightened-up makeovers for my favourite comfort foods, like these tender chicken meatballs tossed with spaghetti in a spicy red pepper sauce. It's the kind of dish that strikes a perfect balance between hearty and healthy, because there's really only so many salads a gal can eat before she's bored to tears.

    Spaghetti with Chicken Meatballs and Spicy Red Pepper Sauce

    I may even give those kale smoothies a try. I strongly suspect that's one resolution that won't stick, though.

    //

    5.0 from 2 reviews
    Spaghetti with Chicken Meatballs and Spicy Red Pepper Sauce
     
    Print
    Prep time
    15 mins
    Cook time
    30 mins
    Total time
    45 mins
     
    This healthier spin on spaghetti and meatballs cuts back on fat by using lean ground chicken and a flavourful roasted red pepper sauce.
    Author: Isabelle Boucher (Crumb)
    Recipe type: Main
    Cuisine: Italian
    Serves: 4
    Ingredients
    Meatballs:
    • 1 lb lean ground chicken
    • ½ cup panko breadcrumbs
    • ¼ cup finely chopped fresh parsley
    • 1 egg, lightly beaten
    • 1 shallot, finely minced
    • 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
    • 1 tsp dried oregano
    • ¾ tsp salt
    • ½ tsp ground fennel seed
    • ½ tsp fresh ground black pepper
    • 1 tbsp olive oil
    Roasted Red Pepper Sauce:
    • 1 tbsp olive oil
    • 1 small yellow onion, finely diced
    • 4 cloves garlic, finely minced
    • ½ tsp red pepper flakes
    • 1½ cups jarred roasted red peppers, drained and chopped
    • ½ cup chicken broth
    • 2 tbsp tomato paste
    • ½ tsp salt
    • ½ tsp fresh ground black pepper
    Pasta and Garnishes:
    • 1 lb uncooked spaghetti
    • Grated Parmesan cheese (for garnish)
    • Roughly chopped parsley (for garnish)
    Instructions
    Make the Meatballs:
    1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground chicken, breadcrumbs, parsley, egg, shallot, Worcestershire sauce, oregano, salt, fennel and pepper. Using your hands, mix until evenly combined and then roll into 1" meatballs.
    2. In a large heavy-bottomed skillet set over medium-high heat, brown the meatballs in olive oil for 5-7 minutes or until lightly browned on all sides, working in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan. Transfer to a rimmed baking sheet or large plate, and set aside.
    Make the Sauce:
    1. Wipe the pan clean with a paper towel, and turn down the heat to medium. Add the olive oil and onions, and saute until soft and translucent, about 3-5 minutes. Stir in the garlic and red pepper flakes, and continue cooking for about 1 minute, or until fragrant.
    2. Transfer the cooked onions and garlic to a food processor. Add the roasted red peppers, chicken broth and tomato paste, and process until smooth. Season with salt and pepper.
    3. Return the sauce to the pan and set over medium-high heat. Add the meatballs, along with any juices that might have accumulated. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low and simmer for 10-15 minutes, or until the meatballs are cooked all the way through and sauce is slightly thickened.
    Cook the Pasta and Assemble:
    1. While the sauce is simmering, cook the pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water as per package directions.
    2. Drain the cooked pasta, and dump it into the pan with the sauce and meatballs. Toss to coat, then divide between four large bowls. Sprinkle with Parmesan and chopped parsley before serving.
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. sylvie says

      February 5, 2015 at 12:56 pm

      Never did meat balls with chicken... I'm gonna correct this!

      Reply
    2. Hannah says

      January 27, 2015 at 9:48 pm

      I made this for dinner tonight and it turned out really nicely! Thanks for the great recipe... will be making this one again :)

      Reply
    3. Ashley (QLCC) says

      January 19, 2015 at 10:58 am

      I looove roasted red peppers! Homemade sauce just always trumps store bought, it's way healthier and a lot less sugar.

      Reply
    4. natalie @ wee eats says

      January 13, 2015 at 2:36 pm

      This pasta looks delightful - TV is our vice too. My other half and I actually started going for walks in the evening - just a quick 10 or 20 minute walk - just to get away from the TV because, as it turns out, we actually kinda like talking to each other. But if you put the TV and our cell phones in front of us it's almost like the other doesn't even exist.... haha!

      Good luck with your resolutions - my resolution is to eat these meatballs because yes. I need them. And red peppers and I are kinda like "in a relationship" so I'm super digging on this right now.

      Reply
    5. Mardi (eat. live. travel. write.) says

      January 13, 2015 at 6:43 am

      Yes! Taking better care of myself is my only "resolution" this year. these look great!

      Reply
    6. Jess says

      January 13, 2015 at 2:39 am

      Good for you Isabelle - this sounds much more positive and possible than some of those all-too-intense kale-smoothie style resolutions. I'm with you - taking better care of myself it is! (I'm also with you in the trashy tv camp...love that stuff.)

      Reply
    7. Aurora Importing says

      January 12, 2015 at 4:10 pm

      Everything about this recipe and post is just great, Isabelle! Do you think it would be good with corn meal pasta? I find it tends to feel lighter.

      ~Andrés

      Reply

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    Hello! I'm Isabelle, and this is my blog. I'm a 40-something coffee-chugging, booty-shaking, bargain-shopping, trucker-swearing self-taught cook with a major addiction to vintage cookbooks. Come for the recipes, stay for the terrible puns! Connect with me on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
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