Sunday, June 13, 2010

The Spaghetti Series - Spaghetti and Chicken Meatballs (#5)


I love al fresco dining in the summer. I have a lovely patio that is just meant for it! Last weekend the weather was beautiful and sunny, and I had a quiet evening to myself to enjoy dinner outdoors as the sun set. My garden has started to take off, and I was able to use the oregano I am growing in my chicken meatball dish. I realized that I had not posted a classic spaghetti and meatball recipe on this blog yet, and I was quite overdue. Enjoy!


Spaghetti and Chicken Meatballs
Meatball Ingredients:
1 pound ground chicken
1 tablespoon fresh oregano, chopped
3/4 cup grated Pecorino Romano cheese
1 large egg
1 1/2 cups Italian style breadcrumbs
3 tablespoons milk
1 teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons olive oil

Directions:
Mix all ingredients together in a large bowl, making sure everything is fully combined. Shape mixture into 12 meatballs. Heat olive oil in a nonstick skillet over medium high heat and cook meatballs until golden brown, 5 minutes. They will finish cooking in the sauce (recipe below).

Sauce Ingredients:
3 tablespoons olive oil
2 cloves of garlic, sliced
1 small onion, diced
5 fresh basil leaves, torn
1 28 ounce can of peeled plum tomatoes
1 small can tomato paste
1/2 cup low sodium chicken broth
1/2 cup white wine

Directions:
Heat oil over medium heat and add garlic and onions, sauteing until onion is translucent, 5 minutes. Add the basil and stir for another minute, allowing it to flavor the base of the vegetables. Add in plum tomatoes, squishing them with your hand before putting them in the pot with their juices. Add the tomato paste, chicken broth, and wine, and let simmer for 1 hour on low heat. Add the meatballs 45 minutes into the cooking time and serve with your favorite spaghetti and fresh cheese on top.

24 comments:

  1. I love comfort food. I haven't attempted to make any tomato sauce yet. Yours must taste really. I will try it out!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I love fresh herbs right out of the garden! This looks like a wonderful spaghetti and meatball supper.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Lovely fresh pasta dish. Fresh herbs from the gardnen add such a perfect accent to any dish. Enjoy that patio. You must have some great dinners there.

    Cheers!

    ReplyDelete
  4. This really is a lovely pasta dish.It looks healthy and delicious. I hope you are having a great day. Blessings...Mary

    ReplyDelete
  5. I just had chicken meatballs last night and loved them - these look great!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Lucky you being able to enjoy good weather - we're staring down the barrel of winter here in New Zealand. Love the sound of this meatball recipe (especially that it has cheese in it, yum!)

    ReplyDelete
  7. I never had a chicken meatball! Delicious! I love having a backyard garden - it makes the food taste better!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Growing your own herbs must be so nice.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Chicken meatballs sound super delicious, yummy with spaghetti!

    ReplyDelete
  10. These meatballs look and sound delicious. I would be instantly addicted!

    ReplyDelete
  11. It's so nice to be able to use fresh herbs right from your own garden! What a terrific recipe. Your meatballs look delicious!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Nothing like a classic! Those meatballs sound excellent! Perfect flavor.

    ReplyDelete
  13. fresh, homegrown oregano in some scrumptious chicken meatballs is just the ticket. delightful twist on the classic, aimee!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Love, love, love this! Thanks for giving me ideas for my herbs!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Your oregano looks marvelous! Those adorable little plants. What a great idea to flavor your meatballs with it.
    A marvelous dish and beautifully presented, Aimmee.

    ReplyDelete
  16. How fun that you have your own spices! My goal is to plant some on my patio, but I haven't gotten around to it yet. And great, classic pasta dish!

    ReplyDelete
  17. This looks just wonderful and how great that you got to use your own herbs! What a treat!

    ReplyDelete
  18. You can never go wrong with a good classic spaghetti dish with meatballs. I like the idea of using ground chicken for your meatballs.

    Cheers to your fresh herbs!

    ReplyDelete
  19. A true classic you have certainly achieved! That looks soooo good, especially with it being chicken! That's awesome your gardens coming in too.

    ReplyDelete
  20. I tried one of your recipe"Alice's Chicken" yesterday. I came out really good! Thank you so much for sharing the recipe. I would like to link your site to my post when I write about it tomorrow. Please come see it if you have a chance. Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  21. I am always looking for an alternative to beef meatballs. These look great, and perfect for summer deck dining. I enjoy your blog...

    ReplyDelete
  22. The spaghetti looks great and I have never tried chicken meatballs - turkey yes, chicken no. Would be delish with thyme and lemon zest.

    ReplyDelete