Orecchiette with Spinach and Turkey Meatballs

This easy orecchiette dinner recipe features spinach, sweet Italian turkey sausage meatballs, garlic, and ricotta salata cheese.

• Preparation Time: 30 mins
• Cooking Time: 30 mins
• Total Time: 60 mins
• Calories: 543 Calories

Ingredients

• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 large egg
• salt and ground black pepper to taste
• 1 pinch red pepper flakes
• 1 (10 ounce) package fresh spinach
• 4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
• 1 (16 ounce) package orecchiette pasta
• 5 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
• 12 ounces sweet Italian turkey sausage, casings removed
• ½ cup grated ricotta salata cheese

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Fill a large pot with lightly salted water and bring to a rolling boil over high heat. Stir in orecchiette and return to a boil. Cook uncovered, stirring occasionally, until tender still firm to the bite, about 12 minutes.

Step 2

Place spinach in a large colander. Scoop out 1 cup pasta cooking water and reserve. Drain pasta in the colander, wilting the spinach.

Step 3

Roll turkey sausage meat into 20 to 30 balls.

Step 4

Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large, deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add the meatballs and cook, turning occasionally, until browned and no longer pink in the center, 5 to 6 minutes. Drain on paper towels.

Step 5

Pour off any drippings left in the skillet. Heat 3 tablespoons olive oil over medium heat. Stir in garlic, salt, and red pepper flakes until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add cooked pasta, spinach, and meatballs to the skillet.

Step 6

Whisk reserved pasta water and egg together in a small bowl. Stir into the skillet until sauce thickens slightly, 3 to 4 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.

Step 7

Divide pasta among bowls. Sprinkle with ricotta salata cheese and drizzle with remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil.