Winter temps call for warm bowls of spaghetti and meatballs. But instead of pasta, why not enjoy this classic comfort food, and get an extra serving of veggies with zucchini noodles?

Spaghetti and meatballs are such a classic! It’s easy to maintain those same delicious flavors, while sticking to your January resolutions with just a few simple swaps; bake up a batch of hearty turkey meatballs loaded with fresh spinach, and red onion. Use your favorite tomato sauce, and spiralize your own zucchini noodles.

Eat your veggies: A good rule to follow when making your zucchini noodles, is one medium zucchini per person, as you will lose some of the zucchini when you cut the ends (before peeling in your spiralizer) and the shrink a bit when cooked.

Homemade Turkey Meatballs and Zucchini Noodles

Serves 4

Ingredients:

Meatballs (makes 16)

• 20 oz package ground turkey breast (93% lean suggested)
• 1 egg, whisked
• 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• 1/4 cup spinach, finely chopped
• 1/4 cup red onion, minced
• 1 large clove garlic, crushed
• Salt and pepper, to taste

 

Zucchini Noodles

• 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 4 medium-sized zucchinis, cut into long noodle-like strips
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Fresh basil leaves, to garnish (optional)
• Grated Parmesan cheese, to garnish (optional)

 

Directions:

Meatballs

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. In a bowl, combine all ingredients. Form mixture into approx 1 inch balls.

3. Arrange meatballs on baking sheet

4. Cook 20 minutes.

Zucchini Noodles

1. Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. When hot add the oil, and garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 to 2 minutes.

2. Increase stovetop heat to medium-high and add the spiralized zucchini, season with salt and pepper (to taste), and cook for 1 minute. Stir, and cook an additional 1 minute, until the vegetables are cooked through yet firm.

3. Assemble each bowl with zucchini noodles, 4 meatballs and your favorite sauce. Garnish with fresh basil, and cheese, if desired. Enjoy!