-
1
Take out the turkey meat first and let that hang out on the counter while you get everything out.
-
2
This will take some of the chill off of the meat.
-
3
Have all of your ingredients ready and out of your pantry so youre not fumbling around with mushy turkey meat hands.
-
4
Get a nice big pot of water up to a boil.
-
5
Dont get a tiny easier to clean later sized pot, get one that offers your pasta some room to swim.
-
6
Dont salt your water yet.
-
7
Wait until just before you drop the pasta.
-
8
Salting your pot when it hasnt come up to a boil could damage it.
-
9
Get out your sauce (homemade or otherwise) and dump it into a pan with high sides.
-
10
Turn it on low.
-
11
Start chopping and dicing.
-
12
Get everything situated on your cutting board so youre ready to mix.
-
13
In a large bowl mix the meat, bread crumbs, egg, basil, parsley, red pepper, garlic, whole milk, salt and pepper gently.
-
14
You can omit the milk if you want (or dont have any), but it will just bump up the moisture level.
-
15
Dont over mix, or youll end up with tough meatballs.
-
16
Form into whatever size meatballs tickle your fancy.
-
17
I like them a little on the larger side.
-
18
They look prettier that way.
-
19
I usually get between 6-8 meatballs.
-
20
Time to get your meatballs into the sauce.
-
21
This is kind of one of those, you could brown them first, or just dump them in with the sauce to cook through.
-
22
I prefer letting them cook in the sauce rather than browning them first.
-
23
I dont like crunch when it comes to meatballs.
-
24
Some people do, some people dont.
-
25
For today, straight into the sauce.
-
26
Gently nestle them in the sauce.
-
27
Cover, turn up the heat to medium and let them simmer away.
-
28
They should take about 12 15 minutes.
-
29
They can certainly hang out in there longer though.
-
30
While the meatballs are doing their thing, start thinking about the pasta.
-
31
Drop a nice handful of salt into your boiling water.
-
32
Short cut pasta usually takes about 9 minutes to cook.
-
33
Check the directions on the box though.
-
34
Theres nothing worse than mushy pasta.
-
35
Let the goal be al dente.
-
36
Leave a little bite to the pasta.
-
37
When your pasta is done, drain it.
-
38
Time to plate your masterpiece.
-
39
Put some pasta on each plate.
-
40
I like more sauce to pasta ratio, my husband does not.
-
41
Again, hes wrong, Im right.
-
42
Get some meatballs on there, a nice dollop of ricotta and some fresh basil.
-
43
The ricotta, once stirred in, gives the pasta a creaminess I find to be heavenly.
-
44
If youre watching your waistline, you can omit it.
-
45
Enjoy your sausage meatballs!
