Loaded Meatballs With Fusilli In Pomodoro Sauce

We love this new recipe from @bevcooks. The meatballs have a light, bright herby flavor, which pairs well with the bold, acidic marinara, then draped over Radiatori pasta with silky spinach. This is a great recipe for a chilly October night, or any other month or day or hour of any year. Family-friendly, yet seductive enough for even date-night.

INGREDIENTS

• 1 pound ground turkey
• 1/2 medium white onion, roughly chopped
• 1 medium carrot, cut into chunks
• 5 cloves garlic
• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup parmesan cheese
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
• 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
• 1/3 cup chopped parsley, plus extra for garnish
• Coarse salt
• 1- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 (1-pound) package DeLallo Fusilli Pasta
• 1 (25.25-ounce) jar DeLallo Pomodoro Fresco Marinara Sauce
• 2 cups chicken stock
• 1 (5-ounce) bag spinach

DIRECTIONS

1. Place the onion, carrot and garlic in a small food processor. Pulse a few times until finely minced. Add this mix to a bowl with the ground turkey, egg, parmesan cheese, breadcrumbs, Italian seasoning and chopped parsley. Season well with a good pinch of salt, and mix it all together with your hands. Then form 2-inch meatballs, placing them on a large baking sheet. Chill in the fridge until you’re ready to brown. Right before browning, dust the meatballs with all-purpose flour, so that they stick together and brown more evenly.
2. Bring a large wide pan to a medium-high heat. Add 1 tablespoon oil to the pan, and evenly arrange the meatballs in the pan. Sear them for three minutes on one side, gently turning to brown on the other side, another three minutes.
3. To the pan, add the Pomodoro sauce, along with the chicken stock. Don’t stir too much, as you want the meatballs to stay intact. Simmer on a low heat for about 15 minutes, while you boil the pasta. Taste and season with a pinch of salt if needed.
4. In the meantime, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta to the water and boil until it reaches al dente, according to package directions.
5. Before you drain, turn the heat off and add the spinach to the pasta. It will wilt within seconds, and then you can drain the rest of the water. (Save 1/2 cup pasta water to help thin the sauce if needed.)
6. Serve the pasta with the spinach, topped with meatballs simmered in the Pomodoro sauce. Garnish with more parmesan and serve immediately.