Description
A delightful and comforting dish featuring tender chicken meatballs simmered in a rich tomato sauce and served over pasta with melted cheese.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound ground chicken
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 egg
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh basil, chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh oregano, chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese, grated
- 8 ounces pasta (spaghetti or penne)
- 1 cup mushrooms, sliced
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Olive oil for cooking
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine ground chicken, breadcrumbs, egg, minced garlic, and chopped herbs. Season with salt and pepper. Mix gently until combined.
- Scoop out equal portions of the mixture and roll them into balls, about 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter. Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the meatballs in batches, browning them on all sides for about 8-10 minutes. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
- Add more olive oil if needed, then sauté the cleaned and sliced mushrooms in the same skillet until golden brown and tender.
- Pour the marinara sauce into the skillet with the mushrooms, stirring to incorporate. Add the meatballs back into the skillet and simmer for 10 minutes.
- Meanwhile, cook the pasta according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- Add the drained pasta to the skillet with the meatballs and sauce. Toss to coat each piece of pasta.
- Sprinkle grated cheese on top and cover the skillet for a couple of minutes until melted.
- Plate up the dish garnished with fresh basil if desired. Serve with crusty bread and a green side salad.
Notes
Substitute turkey for ground chicken if desired. Use whole wheat or legume-based pasta for added fiber.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking and Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 500mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 55g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
Keywords: pasta, meatballs, chicken, tomato sauce, cheese, Italian dish