H3 Recipe: Penne Pasta and Italian Meatballs with Tomato Basil Sauce

Just in time for Valentine's Day, enjoy this romantic Pasta and Meatballs recipe with the one you love.

Italian Meatballs

INGREDIENTS:

1 ¾ teaspoon Garlic, Minced

¼ each Onion, minced

¼ cups Parmesan, fresh, grated

¾ teaspoons Salt, kosher

¼ cup Flat leaf Italian parsley, chopped

1/8 teaspoon Black pepper

1# Lean ground beef 93/7

1 Tablespoon Egg Beaters

PREPARATION: 

• Preheat oven to 350° F. In small saucepan, sauté onions and garlic; cook until tender, about 5-7 minutes.


• Remove from heat and place in medium bowl. Add egg, parmesan cheese, salt, pepper and parsley then mix well. Add beef; mix gently with hands just until combined.


• Form into 1" meatballs or make them ¾ ounce meatballs by weight.  Bake for 10-15 minutes or until meatballs are about 145 degrees. Remove from oven.

*Chefs Note:Chill in refrigerator, then freeze. Freeze up to 3 months. To thaw, let stand in refrigerator overnight, or use frozen straight from the freezer and heated up in a sauce.

Number of Servings: 4

Serving Size: 4-6 meatballs (4oz total)

Calories: 180

Fat grams: 7

 

Tomato Basil Sauce

INGREDIENTS:

¼ cup Olive oil

4 each Garlic cloves, minced

½ cup Tomato concentrate

8 cups Diced tomatoes, canned

12 leaves Fresh basil

1 Tablespoon Sugar

½  teaspoon Salt

To taste Ground pepper

PREPARATION:

• In a large saucepan, heat to medium low and warm the oil.


• Add the garlic and sauté until lightly golden.


• Stir in the tomato concentrate


• Add the tomatoes, basil and salt.


• Bring to a simmer and stir occasionally until the tomatoes break down.


• Remove from heat and let cool slightly and then put in food processor or blender and process until sauce is smooth.


• Make sure to taste sauce and adjust the seasoning if necessary.

Number of Servings:  15

Serving Size: ½ cup

Total Calories: 118

Fat Grams: 7