As I say in the video this is my meatball version of a beef-a-roni classic. My goal was to get the toddler to eat a bit more meat and I succeeded! He loved this. It was the first meal in a long time where he didn't make a face when we sat down. Even the husband ate without complaint. Although, when I asked him what he thought he said it was "pretty standard." Whatever that means! Hey.... he ate it! 🙂
Scroll below video for the recipe.
Ingredients
- Batch of Turkey Meatballs made small (at least 30)
- 10oz Whole Wheat Elbow Pasta uncooked
- ½ small sweet onion diced
- 3 cloves of garlic minced
- 8oz can of tomato sauce
- 15oz can of diced tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½-1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 tablespoon dried parsley
Instructions
Prepare the Turkey Meatballs according to the recipe making them a smaller size. You should easily get about 30. Broil the meatballs for about 5 minutes to help them stay together.
Prepare the pasta according to the package.
In a large skillet sprayed with non-stick cooking spray over medium high heat, add the onion and garlic. Cook for a minute then add the broiled meatballs.
Stir in the can of tomato sauce and diced tomatoes with about ½ cup water (add more if it gets too thick.) Add the garlic powder, basil and parsley. Bring to a boil. Then lower to a simmer and cover. Simmer for at least 10 minutes even longer if you have the time. The meatballs will start to soak up the sauce a bit.
By this point your pasta should just about be done. Add the cooked pasta to the skillet. Stir to coat everything. Cover again until ready to serve.
Check out my other "Beef-a-Roni-ish" ideas...
📖 Recipe
Meatball Mac
Ingredients
- Batch of Turkey Meatballs made small at least 30
- 10 oz Whole Wheat Elbow Pasta uncooked
- ½ small sweet onion diced
- 3 cloves of garlic minced
- 8 oz can of tomato sauce
- 15 oz can of diced tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½-1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 tablespoon dried parsley
Instructions
- Prepare the Turkey Meatballs according to the recipe making them a smaller size. You should easily get about 30. Broil the meatballs for about 5 minutes to help them stay together.Batch of Turkey Meatballs made small
- Prepare the pasta according to the package.10 oz Whole Wheat Elbow Pasta uncooked
- In a large skillet sprayed with non-stick cooking spray over medium high heat, add the onion and garlic. Cook for a minute then add the broiled meatballs.½ small sweet onion diced, 3 cloves of garlic minced, 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Stir in the can of tomato sauce and diced tomatoes with about ½ cup water (add more if it gets too thick.) Add the garlic powder, basil and parsley. Bring to a boil. Then lower to a simmer and cover. Simmer for at least 10 minutes even longer if you have the time. The meatballs will start to soak up the sauce a bit.8 oz can of tomato sauce, 15 oz can of diced tomatoes, ½-1 teaspoon dried basil, 1 tablespoon dried parsley
- By this point your pasta should just about be done. Add the cooked pasta to the skillet. Stir to coat everything. Cover again until ready to serve.
TheRoosterChick
Wow, that looks like face in plate kinda good. lol
Lauren
I made this the other day and it was SOOOO yummy! I added some dried sage & stuff to the turkey meatballs and of course as i'm ready to add the eggs i realize i only have ONE and a whole package of ground turkey... so i improvided and added some FF organic yogurt to help moisten things up..... OMG, they rocked straight out of the oven... super crispy! Hubs & DD (4) loved it, the boys (7) are my picky picky ones and well... one i finally got to try a meatball and the other cried at the table... but later when downstairs and secretly ate one and said, "MOM, I LIKE THEM!" hahahah xo
Kim
Roni- I tried making this last night and it turned out soo yummy! The turkey meatballs were awesome..great flavor! Thanks!
roni
I think the chiming is my IM. LOL I forgot to shut it off. Sorry guys!
bigtickles
Thanks I needed this! My toddler has been boycotting meat for a while (unless it is breaded). I will be glad when this phase is over. Maybe that will happen when he turns 3!
Bonnie
Looks good Roni....and your video recorded in stages worked just fine. It really didn't seem like there was any interruption at all.
Amanda
I hear the chiming sound too. Reminds me of the NBC chimes....
This idea looks like something my family would like! Thanks Roni!!!
Krista S.
Roni, what is the chiming sound in the background? Do you hear it or is it just me?
patty
Roni: This is one of those "now why didn't I think of that?" posts. My kids don't like beef-a-roni because the meat is in bits, I really think they'll enjoy this and it's a simple variation on the usual spaghetti and meatballs. Thanks! Oh, and the video was fine even though you taped it in stages:)
Kelly
This looks like something my family would LOVE! Yum. Something about meat, tomatoes and macaroni that belong together. Thanks for taking the time to make the video and post.