Penne With Turkey Meatballs

Submitted by Chef #195447

"Recipe courtesy of Giada De Laurentis show."

 

• Ready In: 2hrs 30mins
• Ingredients: 9
• Serves: 6

ingredients

• 1⁄4 cup plain dried breadcrumbs
• 2 tablespoons whole milk
• 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
• 3⁄4 cup grated romano cheese
• 1 lb ground turkey, preferably dark meat
• salt & freshly ground black pepper
• 1⁄4 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 5 cups tomato sauce
• 1 lb dry penne pasta

directions

1. In a large bowl add bread crumbs, milk and mix until well combined.
2. Mix in eggs and 1/2 cup Romano cheese and mix well.
3. Add turkey and gently combine, being careful not to overwork the meat.
4. Season with salt and pepper.
5. Shape into golf-size balls.
6. In a large skillet heat the oil over medium heat.
7. When almost smoking, add meatballs and without moving or turning the meat allow it to brown for about 3 minutes.
8. Turn meatballs and brown other side.
9. Continue to cook until all sides are golden brown.
10. Add tomato sauce and bring to a boil.
11. Lower heat and allow meatballs to simmer for 5 minutes.
12. Turn off heat and keep warm on stove, be careful not to overhandle the meatballs since they are soft and fragile.
13. In a large pot, bring 6 quarts of salted water to boil.
14. Add pasta and cook until al dente, about 8 minutes.
15. Drain pasta, do not rinse pasta with water.
16. Remove meatballs from sauce and place in serving bowl.
17. Pour some tomato sauce over meatballs, leaving 1 cup sauce in skillet.
18. Place the cooked penne into the skillet with the remaining sauce and toss well.
19. Pour pasta into a large serving bowl and serve alongside of meatballs.

Reviews

[bricookie55]

I made this meal using my own homemade tomato sauce and gnocchi instead of penne. I also diced up some sun-dried tomatoes and added them to the meatball mixture. They turned out moist and absolutely delicious. I've never made one of Giada's recipes and disliked it. Thanks for posting!

 

[BlondeChick80]

I bought ground turkey for something different, and then doctored this up with some parsley, basil an thyme, and it came out great.