Ingredients for Orecchiette With Mini Chicken Meatballs
- 1 pound orecchiette pasta
- Plain Breadcrumbs
- Fresh Flat Leaf Parsley
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 1/4 cup grated Romano cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- Ground Black Pepper
- Ground Chicken
- Olive Oil
- Low Sodium Chicken Broth
- Cherry Tomatoes
- Parmesan Cheese
- Bocconcini
- Fresh Basil Leaf
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How to Make Orecchiette With Mini Chicken Meatballs
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 1 pound of orecchiette pasta and cook according to package directions, about 8-10 minutes, until al dente.
- While the pasta cooks, prepare the meatballs: In a medium bowl, lightly beat 1 large egg. Add 1 cup of breadcrumbs, 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley, 2 tablespoons milk, 2 tablespoons ketchup, 1/4 cup grated Romano cheese, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Mix well.
- If the mixture is too dry, add the remaining 1 large egg and mix until just combined.
- Add 1 pound ground chicken to the bowl and gently mix until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Using a melon baller or a teaspoon, form the mixture into 1-inch mini meatballs.
- Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the meatballs in batches, ensuring not to overcrowd the pan. Cook until browned on all sides, about 4-6 minutes total.
- Add 1 cup chicken broth and 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes to the skillet. Bring to a boil, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
- Reduce heat to low, simmer for 5 minutes, or until the meatballs are cooked through and the sauce has thickened slightly.
- Drain the cooked pasta, reserving about 1 cup of pasta water.
- In a large serving bowl, combine the cooked pasta with 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese. Toss to coat, adding reserved pasta water as needed to create a light sauce.
- Add the meatball mixture, 8 ounces fresh mozzarella balls (bocconcini, ciliegine, etc.), and 1/2 cup chopped fresh basil to the pasta. Toss gently to combine.
- Garnish with the remaining 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese and remaining fresh basil. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Nutrition Information (Approximate per serving)
Sodium
40 g
Sugar
19g
Fat
58g
Carbs
17g
