Sinless Spaghetti and Meatballs

This was the best spaghetti and meatballs I have ever eaten. Seriously! It was inspired by a recipe by Ina Garten aka the Barefoot Contessa!

From Food

Meatballs:

1 lb. 93/7 ground beef (or lean ground turkey)

2/3 c. quick cooking oatmeal

1 tbs. parsley flakes

1 tbs. Italian seasoning

1 tsp. salt

1 tsp. pepper

Dash of nutmeg

¼ c. parmesan cheese

1 egg beaten

¾ c. warm water

Olive Oil to coat pan

 

Sauce:

1 tbs. olive oil

1 sm. chopped onion

1 clove garlic, minced

¼ c. apple juice (or white wine)

1 28 oz. can diced tomato

1 tbs. parsley flakes

1 sm. can of cooked mushrooms (sliced or pieces)

1 tsp. each dried Basil and Oregano

2 tsp. Italian seasoning

Salt and pepper to taste

½ Jar of Ragu Traditional Old World Style spaghetti sauce (or your favorite sauce)

 

Place hamburger, oatmeal, parsley, parmesan, salt, pepper, nutmeg, egg, and ¾ c. warm water in bowl. Combine lightly with a fork. Using your hands, lightly form mixture into 1 ½ inch balls. You will have about 20 meatballs. Preheat large deep skillet coated with olive oil (only 2 tbs. or so). Very carefully, place meatballs in oil and brown them well on all sides over medium-low heat turning with a spatula or fork. This should take about 10 minutes. Do not overcrowd the meatballs. If you need to, do a couple batches. Remove the meatballs onto a plate covered with paper towels. Leave the remaining oil in the pan.

For the sauce, add another tablespoon of olive oil. Add onion and sauté over medium heat until translucent, 5 to 10 minutes. Add garlic and cook for 1 more minute. Add apple juice and cook on high heat, scraping any brown bits from the bottom of the pan until almost all the liquid evaporates, about 3 minutes. Stir in tomatoes, parsley, mushrooms, salt, pepper, and spaghetti sauce (you can also substitute your favorite brand of spaghetti sauce).

Return the meatballs to the sauce, cover, and simmer on the lowest heat for 25 to 30 minutes, until the meatballs are cooked through. Serve hot on cooked whole wheat spaghetti and top with grated parmesan. Meatballs are 1 point per ball, pasta is 4 points per cup, and sauce is 2 points for ½ c.