Best Pasta W Spinach Meatballs Recipes

MEATBALL & CREAMED SPINACH SKILLET

Steps:

• Prepare meatballs according to package directions.
• Meanwhile, heat oil in a large, broiler-safe skillet over medium heat. Add onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender, about 2 minutes. Add garlic and cook, stirring, for 30 seconds. Add spinach and cook, stirring occasionally, until thawed, 6 to 8 minutes. Sprinkle with flour and stir to combine. Add milk and cook, stirring occasionally, until thickened, about 2 minutes. Stir in pepper and nutmeg.
• Nestle the cooked meatballs into the creamed spinach. Drizzle with marinara and scatter mozzarella on top.
• Position rack in upper third of oven and turn broiler to high. Broil the casserole until the cheese is browning in spots, 3 to 4 minutes.

BAKED ZITI WITH SAUSAGE MEATBALLS AND SPINACH

Steps:

• Using your hands, shape the sausage into about 35 (1-inch) meatballs.
• In a deep 12-inch skillet or a Dutch oven, heat the oil over medium. Working in two batches, fry the meatballs until golden all over, about 2 minutes per side, then transfer to a paper towel-lined sheet pan or platter. Cook the onion until softened, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the garlic, oregano and red-pepper flakes, if using, and cook until the garlic is fragrant, about 2 minutes.
• Add the tomatoes and their juices to the skillet, gently crushing them. Stir in the meatballs, bring to a simmer and cook, 20 minutes. Gently fold in the spinach, tossing until it wilts. Season with salt and pepper.
• Meanwhile, heat the oven to 400 degrees. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, add pasta and cook until 2 to 3 minutes short of al dente (it will finish cooking in the oven). Drain pasta.
• In a large bowl, combine the ricotta, crème fraîche and half the pecorino. Season with salt and pepper. Stir half the meatball sauce into the ricotta mixture. Add pasta and toss together to coat. Pour into a 9-by-13-inch baking dish that's at least 2 1/2 inches deep. Top with the remaining meatball sauce, the mozzarella and the remaining pecorino. Place uncovered baking dish on a sheet tray and bake until the cheese is melty and bubbly, 20 to 25 minutes.
• Turn heat to broil and cook until the cheese and pasta brown in spots, 1 to 2 minutes. (Don't walk away; the cheese can burn very quickly!) Remove from oven and let rest for 5 to 10 minutes before serving.

PASTA W/ SPINACH & MEATBALLS

Steps:

• Cook the meatballs according to the recipe directions.
• Meanwhile, cook the pasta according to the package directions. Reserve ¼ cup of the cooking water; drain the pasta and return it to the pot.
• While the meatballs and pasta are cooking, heat the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the mushrooms, thyme, red pepper flakes and cook until tender, 8 to 10 minutes. Add garlic near end to avoid over cooking.
• Toss the mushroom mixture with the pasta, meatballs, spinach, pecorino, and the reserved cooking water. Season with ½ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon pepper.

PASTA WITH MEATBALLS AND HERB SAUCE

Steps:

• Mix together the basil, parsley and chives. Soak the bread in the milk for 5 minutes, then gently squeeze any excess milk from the bread; discard the milk. Combine the bread with the meat, 1 cup of the herbs and some salt and pepper; shape the mixture into 1-inch meatballs.
• Bring a large pot of water to a boil and salt it. Put 2 tablespoons of the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. When the oil is hot, add the meatballs in a single layer (work in batches if necessary). Cook, turning occasionally, until brown on all sides, 5 to 10 minutes.
• Cook the pasta in the boiling water until tender but not mushy. While the pasta is cooking, purée 11/2 cups of the herbs with 4 tablespoons oil, the garlic and some salt and pepper in a mini food processor or blender; leave the sauce rough or add a little water if you want it smoother. Drain the pasta, reserving about a cup of its cooking liquid. Toss the pasta with the herb sauce and most of the remaining herbs, adding the reserved liquid if the mixture seems dry. Top with the meatballs, garnish with Parmesan and the last of the herbs and serve.

SPINACH MEATBALLS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F.
• In a medium bowl, combine ground beef, spinach, egg, onion powder, garlic powder, bread crumbs, salt & pepper.
• Mix all ingredients well and form into small meatballs.
• Place meatballs on jelly roll pan and place into preheated oven; bake for 40-50 minutes (depending on size of meatballs).
• While meatballs are cooking, prepare pasta according to package directions, drain and keep warm.
• In a large skillet or sauce pan, pour jar of prepared spaghetti sauce.
• When meatballs are fully cooked, remove from oven and place in sauce.
• Simmer on medium heat 6-8 minutes.
• Serve meatballs and sauce over cooked pasta.
• Top with grated Parmesan cheese.