Comfort Food

With snow listed three times on the ten day forecast all I can say is ?!??! Where did that beautiful 70 and sunny weather go - March, aren't you supposed to be going out like a lamb? Since we'll be putting the cover back on the grill for a few days I thought I'd share a recipe for one of my favorite comfort dinners to help get you through the week.

Ina Garten's  Barefoot Contessa How Easy Is That?: Fabulous Recipes & Easy Tips

Spicy Turkey Meatballs & Spaghetti
Serves 8
Printable Version
3 cups bread crumbs
2/3 cup whole milk
2 lbs ground turkey
1/2 lb sweet italian pork sausage
4 oz sliced prosciutto finely chopped
1 cup freshly grates asiago cheese
1/2 cup minced fresh parsley
1 tsp dried oregano (I leave this out)
1 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (I add more of these)
3 tbsp olive oil
2 eggs lightly beaten
3 jars good marinara sauce
2 lbs dried spaghetti

Preheat open to 400 degrees. Line 2 sheet pans with parchment paper.

Combine breadcrumbs and milk and set aside for 5 minutes.

In a large bowl, combine turkey, sausage, prosciutto, bread mixture, asiago, parsley, oregano, red pepper flakes, 1 tbsp salt, 1 1/2 tsp pepper. Lightly combine ingredients with your hands. Add the 3 tbsp of olive oil and the eggs and stir lightly with a fork.

Roll the mixture into 2in round meatballs and place them on sheet pans. Brush with olive oil. Bake for 35-40 minutes, until the tops are browned and the centers completely cooked.

Add the meatballs and marinara to a large saucepan and simmer. Cook your favorite pasta and top with sauce and meatballs and plenty of parmesan cheese!

The meatballs are great to freeze since the recipe makes 24. We use the leftovers to make meatballs grinders or as heavy appetizers. I like to use the Williams Sonoma Tomato Basil Pasta Sauce, it's delicious and much easier than making your own. And now all their sauces are 20% off so it's an extra good deal.