St. Patrick's Green Turkey & Spinach Meatballs with Homemade Pesto Pasta
A festive and flavorful dish perfect for St. Patrick's Day! Lean ground turkey meatballs, infused with fresh spinach and herbs, are served atop a bed of vibrant green, homemade pesto pasta. It's a quick, fun, and delicious way to celebrate.
Ingredients
- • For the Meatballs
- •1 lb Ground Turkey (lean)
- •2 cups Fresh Spinach (packed, finely chopped)
- •0.5 cup Panko Breadcrumbs
- •1 piece Large Egg (lightly beaten)
- •2 cloves Garlic (minced)
- •0.25 cup Parmesan Cheese (grated)
- •2 tbsp Fresh Parsley (chopped)
- •1 tsp Salt
- •0.5 tsp Black Pepper
- •2 tbsp Olive Oil (for cooking meatballs)
- • For the Homemade Pesto
- •2 cups Fresh Basil Leaves (packed)
- •0.25 cup Pine Nuts (toasted, optional)
- •1 clove Garlic (minced)
- •0.25 cup Parmesan Cheese (grated)
- •0.5 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- • Salt (to taste)
- • Black Pepper (to taste)
- • For the Pasta & Assembly
- •12 oz Pasta (such as linguine, fettuccine, or penne)
- •1 cup Cherry Tomatoes (halved, optional for garnish)
- • Parmesan Cheese (more for garnish)
Instructions
- 1.
To make the homemade pesto: In a food processor, combine the fresh basil leaves, pine nuts (if using), 1 minced garlic clove, 0.25 cup grated Parmesan cheese, and a pinch of salt and black pepper. Pulse until finely chopped. With the food processor running, slowly drizzle in 0.5 cup extra virgin olive oil until a smooth pesto forms. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
Time: 7 min - 2.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil for the pasta.
Time: 5 min - 3.
In a large bowl, combine the ground turkey, finely chopped spinach, panko breadcrumbs, beaten egg, 2 minced garlic cloves, 0.25 cup grated Parmesan cheese, chopped parsley, 1 tsp salt, and 0.5 tsp black pepper. Mix gently until just combined, being careful not to overmix.
Time: 8 min - 4.
Form the mixture into approximately 16-20 meatballs (about 1.5 inches in diameter).
Time: 5 min - 5.
Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium heat. Add the meatballs and cook, turning occasionally, until browned on all sides and cooked through.
Time: 12 min - 6.
While the meatballs are cooking, add the pasta to the boiling water and cook according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining.
Time: 10 min - 7.
Return the drained pasta to the pot. Add the homemade pesto and about 1/4 cup of the reserved pasta water. Toss well to coat. If the sauce is too thick, add a little more pasta water until it reaches your desired consistency.
Time: 3 min - 8.
Divide the pesto pasta among serving plates. Top with the cooked turkey and spinach meatballs. Garnish with additional grated Parmesan cheese and halved cherry tomatoes if desired.
Time: 2 min
Tips
- 💡To ensure your meatballs are moist, avoid overmixing the turkey mixture. Gently combine until just incorporated.
- 💡For an even greener pasta, you can blend an extra handful of fresh spinach into your homemade pesto.
- 💡For extra fun, you could arrange the meatballs on the plate in a loose 'shamrock' cluster around the pasta.
Recipe from TheCookbook.ai
Created by smw355