It could be said that pasta is the most versatile ingredient that we find in the kitchen. It combines with everything, from vegetables, meat, fish, etc. It’s just as good with a simple, inexpensive sauce as it is with an extravagant, fancy one.
It can be eaten as a main dish, as a starter or in a salad and thanks to its versatility it is very easy to find a pasta recipe for each occasion and for each time of the year, like these macaroni and meatballs that I am sharing on this occasion.
Keep in mind that this dish admits variations, because you can also make macaroni with chicken meatballs, turkey, beef, pork, etc… Although I am going to make them with turkey this time since they are a lot healthier.
Ingredients to make Macaroni and Meatballs:
- 350 grams of minced turkey meat
- 1 garlic clove minced
- 2 tablespoons of chopped parsley
- 1 unit of egg slightly beaten
- 4 tablespoons of olive oil
- 1 unit of chopped onion
- 1 stalk of Celery chopped
- 2 units of chopped carrots
- 400 grams of canned crushed tomato
- 1 small glass of white wine
- 1 sprig of fresh rosemary
- 1 bay leaf
- 350 grams of macaroni
- 1 teaspoon of sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 50 grams of grated cured cheese
How to make Macaroni and Meatballs:
- To start preparing these macaroni with meatballs, the first step is to mix the minced meat with the garlic and parsley in a bowl. Add the egg, season and mix again.
- With slightly floured hands, form turkey meatballs about the size of a walnut. Next, heat the olive oil in a saucepan, fry the meatballs and reserve them.
- In the same oil, fry the chopped onion, celery and carrots over low heat for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until everything is tender. Then add the tomato, rosemary, bay leaf, teaspoon of sugar, and a pinch of salt and pepper.
- When the macaroni with meatballs and tomato sauce begins to boil, cover the pan and cook for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Then add the wine and meatballs and continue cooking over low heat for another 25 minutes.
- Separately, bring slightly salted water to a boil in a pot and cook the pasta for 8 to 10 minutes, until al dente. Then drain it and add it to the casserole with the meatballs, and stir gently.
- Finally, distribute the macaroni and turkey meatballs on the plates and sprinkle generously with the grated cured cheese.
