ooking for a healthy, low-carb twist on spaghetti and meatballs? This Zucchini Spaghetti with Turkey Meatballs offers all the comfort of a traditional pasta dish with the added benefit of extra veggies. Made with lean turkey, zoodles, and a flavorful homemade tomato sauce, it’s a delicious and nutritious option for the whole family.
Ingredients:
Zucchini Spaghetti:
- 4 large zucchini, trimmed
- Olive oil (for sautéing)
- Grated Parmesan cheese (optional, for serving)
Meatballs:
- 1 pound lean ground turkey
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 egg, beaten
- Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
Tomato Sauce:
- Olive oil
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 garlic cloves, crushed
- 1 tablespoon tomato purée
- 1 (28-ounce) can chopped tomatoes
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon balsamic vinegar
- Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
Instructions:
- Prepare the Zucchini Noodles: Using a spiralizer, julienne peeler, or mandoline, turn the 4 zucchini into spaghetti-like noodles (zoodles). Set aside.
- Make the Meatballs: In a large bowl, mix the ground turkey, finely chopped onion, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, beaten egg, salt, and pepper. Form into 20 small meatballs with wet hands and place on a plate. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
- Cook the Tomato Sauce: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion and sauté for 5-6 minutes until softened. Add the crushed garlic and cook for another minute. Stir in the tomato purée and cook for 2 minutes. Then, add the chopped tomatoes, oregano, balsamic vinegar, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 10 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Cook the Meatballs: Heat a skillet with olive oil over medium heat. Brown the meatballs in batches, turning frequently to ensure even cooking. Once browned, transfer the meatballs to the pan with the tomato sauce. Let the meatballs simmer in the sauce for 10 minutes until fully cooked. If the sauce thickens too much, add ¼ cup of water to loosen it.
- Cook the Zucchini Spaghetti: In the same skillet used for the meatballs, add a teaspoon of olive oil and gently sauté the zucchini noodles for 3-5 minutes, tossing occasionally until tender but still firm.
- Serve: Divide the zucchini spaghetti into bowls and top with the turkey meatballs and tomato sauce. Sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese if desired.
Nutrition Info (Per Serving):
- Calories: Varies based on portion size
- Fat: Moderate (depends on amount of olive oil used)
- Carbs: Low-carb
- Protein: High-protein from turkey and eggs