Chicken Florentine Meatballs

Name: Chicken Florentine Meatballs
Prep time: 40 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 60 min
Yield: 6 servings.
Cuisine: Europe, Italian
Ingredients: 2 large eggs, lightly beaten; 1 package (10 ounces) frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry; 1/2 cup dry bread crumbs; 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese; 1 tablespoon dried minced onion; 1 garlic clove, minced; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 1/8 teaspoon pepper; 1 pound ground chicken; 1 medium spaghetti squash (about 4 pounds); SAUCE:; 1/2 pound sliced fresh mushrooms; 2 teaspoons olive oil; 1 can (14-1/2 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained; 1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce; 2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley; 1 garlic clove, minced; 1 teaspoon dried oregano; 1 teaspoon dried basil

TOTAL TIME: Prep: 40 min. Cook: 20 min. YIELD: 6 servings.

Served over squash and a chunky, mushroom-tomato sauce, these tender meatballs are tops when it comes to great flavor. —Diane Nemitz, Ludington, Michigan

Ingredients

2 large eggs, lightly beaten
1 package (10 ounces) frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
1/2 cup dry bread crumbs
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 tablespoon dried minced onion
1 garlic clove, minced
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1 pound ground chicken
1 medium spaghetti squash (about 4 pounds)
SAUCE:
1/2 pound sliced fresh mushrooms
2 teaspoons olive oil
1 can (14-1/2 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained
1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce
2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley
1 garlic clove, minced
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried basil

Directions

1. In a large bowl, combine the first eight ingredients. Crumble chicken over mixture and mix well. Shape into 1-1/2-in. balls.
2. Place meatballs on a rack in a shallow baking pan. Bake, uncovered, at 400° for 20-25 minutes or until no longer pink. Meanwhile, cut squash in half lengthwise; discard seeds. Place squash cut side down on a microwave-safe plate. Microwave, uncovered, on high for 15-18 minutes or until tender.
3. For sauce, in a large nonstick skillet, saute mushrooms in oil until tender. Stir in the remaining ingredients. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 8-10 minutes or until slightly thickened. Add meatballs and heat through.
4. When squash is cool enough to handle, use a fork to separate strands. Serve with meatballs and sauce.

Nutrition Facts

1 serving: 272 calories, 12g fat (3g saturated fat), 115mg cholesterol, 635mg sodium, 25g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 6g fiber), 21g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 2 starch, 0.500 fat.