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Mini Mozzarella Stuffed Turkey Zucchini Meatball Orrechiette

Cindy Ensley
Updated Sep 12, 2013
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Ground turkey meatballs packed with veggies and mozzarella cheese are the perfect complement for orecchiette pasta.

Mini Mozzarella Stuffed Turkey Zucchini Meatball Orrechiette

  • Prep Time 40 min
  • Total 60 min
  • Servings 8
  • Ingredients 18
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Ingredients

Meatballs

  • 1 cup shredded zucchini (about 1 medium)
  • Salt
  • 1 egg
  • 1 lb ground turkey
  • 1/2 cup Progresso™ Italian style bread crumbs
  • 1/3 cup grated red onion
  • 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 2 cloves garlic, grated
  • About 1/2 cup pearl mozzarella

Pasta

  • 1 box (1 lb) orecchiette (tiny disk) pasta

Sauce

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1/2 cup finely chopped onion
  • 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
  • 2 cans (14.5 oz each) Muir Glen™ organic fire roasted diced tomatoes, undrained
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 3 tablespoons chopped fresh basil leaves
Make With
Progresso Breadcrumbs

Instructions

  • Step 
    1
    Heat oven to 400°F. Line sheet pan with cooking parchment paper or silicone nonstick baking mat. Sprinkle grated zucchini lightly with salt; toss to coat. Set aside while preparing other ingredients.
  • Step 
    2
    Squeeze out as much of the zucchini liquid as you can; there will be a few tablespoons. Discard liquid.
  • Step 
    3
    In large bowl, gently mix all Meatball ingredients except mozzarella cheese until combined. To make each Meatball, scoop 1 teaspoonful mixture into hand; flatten into a patty. Place 1 mozzarella pearl in center of patty; enclose cheese completely inside mixture. With hands, roll into ball; place in pan. Repeat to make remaining meatballs.
  • Step 
    4
    Bake in center of oven about 20 minutes or until thermometer inserted in center of meatballs reads 165°F and cheese is melted.
  • Step 
    5
    Meanwhile, cook pasta to al dente as directed on box.
  • Step 
    6
    To make Sauce, in 10-inch skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add chopped onion; cook until translucent. Add chopped garlic; cook 60 seconds longer. Stir in tomatoes with liquid. Simmer until most of liquid has been reduced. Add salt and pepper to taste. Remove from heat; stir in basil.
  • Step 
    7
    Toss cooked pasta, meatballs and sauce. Garnish with additional fresh basil.

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts are not available for this recipe

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