Turkey Meatballs and Spaghetti

Ingredients

• 1¼ lb ground turkey
• 12 oz spaghetti
• 28 oz canned crushed tomatoes
• ½ onion
• 3 clove garlic
• 1 egg
• ½ cup breadcrumbs
• ¼ cup Parmesan cheese (optional)
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley (optional)
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper

Steps

1. Finely chop the onion and mince the garlic. In a large bowl, combine ground turkey, egg, breadcrumbs, 1/4 of the chopped onion, 1 minced garlic clove, Parmesan (if using), parsley (if using), 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp pepper. Mix gently until just combined, then form into 1-inch meatballs.
2. Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Brown the meatballs in batches until golden on all sides, then remove and set aside.
3. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil to the pot. Sauté the remaining chopped onion and minced garlic until softened, about 3-5 minutes.
4. Pour in the crushed tomatoes, oregano, remaining 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp pepper. Bring to a simmer, then return the browned meatballs to the pot. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for at least 20 minutes, or up to an hour, stirring occasionally.
5. While the sauce simmers, cook the spaghetti according to package directions until al dente. Drain well.
6. Serve the turkey meatballs and marinara sauce over the cooked spaghetti, garnished with extra Parmesan and fresh parsley if desired.