Saturday, March 21, 2009

Bell Pepper and Tomato Penne with Meatballs

Ingredients

Meatballs
1  (3/4-ounce) slice firm white bread (such as Pepperidge Farm)
1/3  cup  minced fresh onion
1/4  cup  finely chopped cremini mushrooms
2  tablespoons  finely chopped fresh parsley
2  tablespoons  grated fresh Parmesan cheese
1/4  teaspoon  salt
1/4  teaspoon  dried oregano
1/4  teaspoon  crushed red pepper
1  large egg yolk
1/2  pound  lean ground turkey
Cooking spray

Sauce
2  teaspoons  olive oil
3/4  cup  chopped onion
4  garlic cloves, thinly sliced
1/2  cup  julienne-cut yellow bell pepper
1/2  cup  julienne-cut orange bell pepper
1/2  teaspoon  salt, divided
3  cups  chopped seeded plum tomato (about 2 pounds)
1/2  cup  tomato juice
2  tablespoons  balsamic vinegar
1  teaspoon  sugar
1/2  teaspoon  dried oregano
1/4  teaspoon  freshly ground black pepper
1/4  cup  thinly sliced fresh basil

Pasta
1/8  teaspoon  salt
8  ounces  uncooked penne (about 2 cups tube-shaped pasta)

Preheat oven to 400°.

To prepare meatballs, place bread in a food processor; pulse 10 times or until fine crumbs measure 1/2 cup. Combine breadcrumbs, 1/3 cup onion, and next 8 ingredients (1/3 cup onion through turkey); stir well to combine. Lightly coat hands with cooking spray. Shape turkey mixture into 20 (1-inch) meatballs. Place on a baking sheet coated with cooking spray. Bake at 400° for 12 minutes or until done; cover and keep warm.

To prepare sauce, heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add 3/4 cup onion; sauté 3 minutes. Add garlic; sauté 1 minute. Add bell peppers and 1/4 teaspoon salt; sauté 2 minutes. Add tomato and next 5 ingredients (tomato through black pepper); bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, 13 minutes or until sauce thickens. Stir in basil and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Add meatballs; stir to coat.

To prepare pasta, while sauce cooks, bring 3 quarts of water to a boil in a large saucepan; add 1/8 teaspoon salt and pasta. Cook 10 minutes or until al dente; drain. Serve meatball mixture over pasta.

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