Low Fat Smoky Barbecue Turkey Spaghetti & Meatballs

Low Fat Smoky Barbecue Turkey Spaghetti and Meatballs. A reminder of summer barbecue flavour at any time of year.

Low Fat Smoky Barbecue Turkey Spaghetti and Meatballs

With the March winds picking up outside, barbecue season still seems a long way off. However, a few nights ago we enjoyed some of those familiar summer flavours in  this healthy version of spaghetti and meatballs.

We used a couple of our favorite smokey spices, smoked paprika and chipotle powder, in both the meatballs and the sauce. The result was utterly delicious and a meal we are sure to enjoy many more times to come.

Smoked Paprika is one of my most used spices. I love it.

Lean ground chicken or even beef would work just as well in this recipe if you prefer.

Originally published on March 22, 2012.For more tried and true recipes, check out this collection of our 25 Most Popular Recipes since Rock Recipes began back in 2007.

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Low Fat Smoky Barbecue Turkey Spaghetti and Meatballs

Prep Time

20 mins

Cook Time

30 mins

Total Time

50 mins

 

Low Fat Smoky Barbecue Turkey Spaghetti and Meatballs - a reminder of summer barbecue flavours at any time of year.

Course: Dinner

Author: Barry C. Parsons

Ingredients

For the meatballs

• 3/4 cup bread crumbs
• 1/4 cup buttermilk
• 1 1/2 pound ground lean turkey
• 1 small beaten egg
• 1 tsp ground thyme
• 1 tsp chipotle powder
• 2 tsp smoked paprika
• 2 cloves minced garlic
• 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
• 1/2 tsp salt

For the Sauce

• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 3 cloves minced garlic
• 2 cups diced plum tomatoes
• 2 tbsp molasses
• 1 tsp ground thyme
• 3 tbsp chopped fresh oregano
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp chipotle powder
• 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 3 cup plain tomato sauce

Instructions

To prepare the meatballs

1. Soak together the breadcrumbs and buttermilk for just a few minutes.
2. Add the ground turkey, egg, thyme, chipotle powder, smoked paprika, garlic, pepper and salt.
3. Form into 2 inch balls and bake on a parchment lined baking sheet for 20 minutes at 375 degrees F.

To prepare the sauce

1. Saute the garlic in the olive oil over medium low heat for only 30-60 seconds to soften it but don't let it brown.
2. Add the plum tomatoes, molasses, thyme, oregano, smoked paprika, chipotle powder, pepper and salt.
3. Simmer together until the tomatoes soften and the sauce begins to thicken, then add the tomato sauce and the cooked turkey meatballs.
4. Simmer gently for 10-15 minutes and serve on spaghetti or your favorite pasta.