Spaghetti and Turkey Meatballs

One of the best staple recipes around and one the whole family will love! You definitely cannot go wrong with this classic spaghetti and meatballs. I promise you won’t even know the difference with this double swap for turkey meat and flour, gluten and wheat-free pasta noodles.

Serves 4
*Gluten-free, dairy-free

Ingredients:
The Meatballs (*makes about 15-17 depending how large you make them)
1 lb ground turkey (can use grass-fed beef if you prefer)
1/2 onion or small onion, diced
3 garlic cloves, diced
1 egg
1/4 cup oats
1/4 cup flat leaf parsley, finely diced
1 tsp oregano
Sea salt and pepper to taste

The Sauce
1 small onion, diced
3 garlic cloves, diced
1 28oz can diced tomatoes
16 oz or 2 cups marinara sauce (I enjoy using the Marinara sauce from Costco)
1 tsp red chilli flakes (less if prefer non spicy)
1 tsp oregano
1 tsp dried parsley
4 fresh basil leaves, finely diced
Sea salt and pepper to taste
Avocado oil for sautéing

*The Pasta
1 package of gluten-free pasta- either organic white or brown rice pasta (Tinkyada brand), or another kind you prefer. I have used quinoa or Chickpea noodles as well.

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 F.
2. Dice onion, garlic and parsley for meatballs, or chop in a small food processor which will speed things up.
3. Add all meatball ingredients to a large bowl and stir to combine. You might just want to get your hands dirty to ensure mixture is well combined.
4. Lightly grease baking sheet with coconut or avocado oil. Scoop out a portion of the meat mixture and roll between your hands, forming a meatball. Repeat until baking sheet full, spacing them out evenly.
5. Bake meatballs for 15-20 mins.

6. While meatballs baking, prepare your sauce. Dice or chop garlic and onion with processor.
7. Add to large sauce pan and cook on med-high heat adding tbsp of avocado oil. Sauté for 5-10 mins. Then add can of diced tomatoes, marinara sauce and other spice ingredients. Reduce to low heat, and let sauce simmer for 20-30 mins.
8. At same time prepare pasta noodles of your choice.
9. When meatballs done, nestle them into sauce and simmer for another 5 mins.
10. When pasta cooked to your desired liking, strain and serve pasta, adding meatball and sauce mixture on top.
** option to enjoy with grated parmesan cheese or sprinkle with nutritional yeast as a cheesy dairy-free option.