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Garlic Herb Spaghetti with Baked Chicken Meatballs

Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings 4
Calories 43
This recipe features a deliciously savory blend of garlic, lemon, butter, parsley, and Parmesan – all brought together in a comforting dish with juicy baked chicken meatballs. The perfect dinner to satisfy your cravings!

Ingredients

For the Baked Meatballs:

  • 1 lb ground chicken or turkey
  • 1 egg
  • ½ cup panko breadcrumbs
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 tbsp olive oil (optional, for extra moisture)
  • ½ tsp garlic powder
  • ½ tsp onion powder
  • ½ tsp salt
  • Black pepper to taste
  • Optional seasonings (e.g., Go-To seasoning from What's Gaby Cooking)

For the Garlic Herb Pasta:

  • 8 oz spaghetti, linguine, or cappellini (whole wheat is fine)
  • 1 stick (½ cup) Land O Lakes® Butter
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 tsp lemon zest
  • 3-4 oz fresh spinach, chopped
  • 1 cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • ¼ cup water (add more or less depending on desired consistency)
  • A squeeze of lemon juice
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions 

  • Preheat the oven to 400°F.
  • Prepare the meatballs: In a bowl, mix the ground chicken or turkey with egg, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, and any additional seasonings you like. Roll the mixture into about 30 small meatballs and place them on a foil-lined baking sheet sprayed with oil. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until golden and cooked through.
  • Cook the pasta: Follow the package instructions for your choice of pasta. Once cooked, drain and set aside.
  • Make the garlic herb sauce: In a large pot, melt butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and lemon zest, cooking for a few minutes—be sure not to brown the garlic. Add the chopped spinach and parsley, cooking until just wilted.
  • Combine the pasta and meatballs: Add the cooked pasta and meatballs into the pot with the garlic herb sauce. Toss everything together, then add grated Parmesan and a little water to achieve a creamy consistency. Adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, and a final squeeze of lemon juice.
  • Serve: Plate the pasta and enjoy forkfuls of this flavorful dish!
Calories: 43kcal
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Italian
Keyword: Garlic Herb Spaghetti with Baked Chicken Meatballs