Chicken Parmesan Meatballs
Italian style food is always one of my favorite comfort foods. When does pasta and red sauce not sounds appetizing? These chicken parmesan meatballs are baked in an easy, homemade tomato sauce and make for a great weeknight dinner. Any leftover meatballs would be awesome toasted in a sub for lunch the next day!

We served ours with the mushroom risotto from Trader Joe’s that a breeze to cook and so delicious!

Chicken Parmesan Meatballs in Tomato Sauce
via spoonful of flavor

sauce:
1 tbsp olive oil
1/4 c chopped yellow onion
1 tbsp tomato paste
1 clove garlic, minced
2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
2 tbsp fresh basil, chopped
1 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
1 28 oz. can crushed tomatoes
1/4 c heavy cream
meatballs:
1 lb ground chicken
1/3 cup chopped spinach
1/3 cup dried bread breadcrumbs
1/4 cup diced yellow onion
1/3 cup + 2 tbsp grated Parmesan
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 egg, lightly beaten
2 tbsp olive oil
4 ounces shredded mozzarella
salt & pepper, to taste

directions:
First we’re going to make the tomato sauce. In a large skillet heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Once simmering, add the diced onion and cook for 1-2 minutes. Add in the tomato paste, garlic, parsley, basil, oregano and red pepper flakes for just under a minute. Stir in the crushed tomatoes, turn the heat to low and cook for 6-8 minutes to let the sauce thicken. Turn the heat off and mix in the cream.
Turn the oven on to 400F. For the meatballs, in a big bowl combine the ground chicken, spinach, bread crumbs, onion, 1/3 cup Parmesan cheese, salt and pepper, garlic and egg. Use your hands to make sure the mixture is evenly combined. Roll the chicken mixture into small meatballs. In a large skillet heat olive oil until simmering. Gently add in the meatballs one at a time and cook until browned on all sides. They will continue to cook in the oven, so it’s ok that they’re not completely cooked through at this time. Then put the meatballs in the skillet with the tomato sauce. Top with mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the meatballs are cooked through and the cheese is melted.

xx

12 Comments

  1. January 17, 2017 / 6:23 am

    YUM!! I love a good hearty meal like this – pinned to try later!! xo, Biana –BlovedBoston

  2. January 17, 2017 / 6:43 am

    I LOVE chicken meatballs. In fact, just made turkey meatballs on Sunday. My husband would go crazy for this..with the Parm, oh so flavorful!!! YUM!!!!

  3. January 17, 2017 / 3:11 pm

    These sound so good! I will have to make them. I love making meatballs with chicken.

  4. January 17, 2017 / 5:16 pm

    These look and sound so delicious Cannot wait to try making these!

  5. January 17, 2017 / 7:12 pm

    This sounds so good! I love chicken parm, and why didn’t I ever think of them in meatball form?! Delicious!

  6. January 18, 2017 / 11:07 am

    Chicken parm is one of our favorite meals, so I love this version of it! Thanks for sharing!

  7. January 18, 2017 / 11:08 am

    Chicken parm is one of our favorite meals, so I love this take on it! Thanks for sharing!

    • January 18, 2017 / 11:08 am

      (sorry for the double comments 🙂 )


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