Spaghetti with Chicken Meatballs


This weekend was a dull one, with nothing planned, we spent it at home just lazying around. For the first time I didn't even cook anything, we survived on bread and some leftovers from the week before. 
The meatball marinara is my favorite sandwich from Subway, but I've never had spaghetti and meatballs. Since I've decided to give up red meat (atleast for now), I thought of making chicken meatballs. It was different, but delicious!! Be very careful to not overcook the meatballs, that is the most difficult thing about this very easy recipe!!. The meatball recipe is adapted from here. Its really simple and you could even serve the meatballs as a starter, its really yumm. Enjoy!


Ingredients:
For the Meatballs
(Yields about 20 meatballs)
1tsp oil
1 small onion, finely chopped
1 lb minced chicken
1 large egg
1/2 cup fresh bread crumbs
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 big cloves of minced garlic
1tsp pepper powder
2tsp dried oregano
salt to taste

For the sauce:
1tbs olive oil
2lbs ripe red tomatoes
4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
2tsp red chilli powder
1tsp pepper powder
1-2 tsp sugar
1tbs dried basil
salt to taste

1lb spaghetti
Grated Parmesan and pepper flakes for garnishing

Method:
Both the meatballs and sauce could be made in advance and stored in the refrigerator or in the freezer for a longer time. 

For the Meatballs:
Preheat the oven to 400F. Line a baking tray with foil. Coat with non-stick spray.
Heat oil in a pan and saute the onions on medium heat just until transparent. 
Remove from heat and add to the chicken mince. Add all the other ingredients and mix with a fork just until combined.
Lightly grease your palm and shape into small balls. Place on the tray and bake for 15-20 mins till done.

For the sauce:
Blanch the tomatoes and peel off the skin. Chop roughly. 
Heat the oil in a pan on medium heat. Fry the garlic till aromatic and golden.
Add the tomatoes, chilli powder & pepper powder and cook for about 10-12 mins. Crush the tomato as you stir. When thick, add the sugar and salt and stir for 1min.
Cool and pulse in a processor to make a sauce. Add the dry basil and check seasonings.
This sauce can be stored in the refrigerator, re-heat as needed.

To Assemble:
Heat the sauce and meatballs together on low for a few mins. Add some water if too thick and adjust the seasonings.
Cook the spaghetti according to package instructions. Drain and arrange in a dish. Top with the meatball mixture. Sprinkle fresh Parmesan, pepper flakes or other Italian seasoning and serve hot.

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Sending this to Presto Pasta Nights # 107 hosted by Ruth

and to Sanghi's FIL - Tomato event.

30 comments:

  1. yummy dish poornima...I love chicken in any kind...nice post dear

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  2. Great to see a meatball recipe with chicken..I never eat it at restaurants bcoz of the red meat in them..na am not health conscious or anything...am too stubborn to eat red meat that's all..lol
    Looks delicious will try them soon...can i skip the egg in the recipe??

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  3. Thanks Pooja...

    Sakshi,I have made without the eggs too, not much difference really.

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  4. Yummy dish, love to pick those chicken meatballs n have them rite now..AM ready to finish the plate..tempting n terrific colour!

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  5. looks great...i once made spaghetti n meatballs with ground beef for AJ and a meatless potato blls for me...mine was horrible..should have used soy or something!!

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  6. A great dish poornima. Love the chicken meatballs, yum !

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  7. Great one da..I am planning to make some balls next week or so..havent had yet..:)So u had a lazy week..n here I am slumbering n tired after a nomadic sunday..lols..:)
    Have a great week ahead..:)

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  8. oooh.. am drooling over them ;) Perfect entry Poorni..!

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  9. Yummy...Chicken meatballs sounds gud...i have never tasted spaghetti with meatballs...i can try ur version.

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  10. wow never did kofta with chicken,looks delicious.
    btw even i posted a kofta recipe but with meat.

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  11. isn't this the most classic combo!! yummy :)

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  12. Great poornima. I too make chicken meatballs for my spaghetti as I don't eat any other meat. But I make the meatballs a litlle more Indian. I don't add english herbs and cheese.I add garam masala and cilantro. Funny right? Indian pasta:)

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  13. Chicken meat-balls sounds yumm Poornima! Can we have it with rotis?

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  14. that looks terribly delicious; i usually do with minced beef, have never tried with chicken; along with parmesan, that must be yummm! my kids love meatballs !!

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  15. Ohh my!Its so yummy..I made cheese balls and spaghetti a long time ago..Thanks for reminding me ..I will post them soon :)

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  16. I love paste and meat balls and if it is chicken then i love them more, yours look super delicous.

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  17. mmm..the wheat meatballs look so appetizing:)

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  18. We make this often too pOornima..looks smiply delicious and colorful

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  19. spaghetti looks great! Nice entry for the event! I too am planning to send something for the same events:)

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  20. Chicken is one of my favourite meats but we can't get it minced here in Greece. I'd love to try this recipe, as it sounds delicious.

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  21. love the spaghetti with meat balls that too with chicken :)...good one and thank you for sharing !

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  22. The dish looks so tempting Poornima, a healthy version too, cutting out the red meat and replacing with chicken, love it :)

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  23. Hi Poornima,
    delicious looking dish. saucy meat balls with spaghetti is a perfect weekend dinner. Nice entries for the events. All the best.
    TC

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  24. Chicken meat balls looks delicious dear. I make it like a more Indian cuisine to go with ordinary dhal and rice. Urs look lovely.

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  25. I wouldn't call that yummy sphagetti sloppy..

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  26. I love to have Spaghetti with meatballs on weekend dinners. Looks very good.

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  27. It's a beautiful looking version of one of my fave dishes. Thanks for sharing with Presto Pasta Nights.

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  28. That spaghetti and meatballs looks really good!

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