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Chicken Meatballs Spinach Pappardelle

Savory Chicken Meatballs Spinach Pappardelle for Cozy Nights

This Chicken Meatballs Spinach Pappardelle is a family-friendly dish, rich in flavor and healthy ingredients, perfect for busy weeknights.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 450

Ingredients
  

For the Meatballs
  • 1 pound Ground Chicken
  • 1 cup Breadcrumbs gluten-free if needed
  • 1 large Egg or flax egg for vegan option
  • ½ cup Grated Parmesan Cheese substitute with nutritional yeast for dairy-free
  • 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder or fresh minced garlic
  • 1 teaspoon Onion Powder optional
  • 1 teaspoon Salt to taste
  • 1 teaspoon Pepper to taste
For the Pappardelle
  • 8 ounces Pappardelle fettuccine can be used in a pinch
  • 1 tablespoon Olive Oil any cooking oil will do
  • 4 cups Spinach or kale/Swiss chard
  • 2 cloves Garlic minced or powdered
  • 2 tablespoons Butter or vegan butter for dairy-free
  • 1 tablespoon Flour gluten-free if necessary
  • 1 cup Whole Milk or almond milk for dairy-free
  • ¼ cup Shaved Parmesan optional

Equipment

  • Oven
  • skillet
  • pot
  • Mixing Bowl
  • Baking Sheet

Method
 

Step-by-Step Instructions
  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and prepare a baking sheet with cooking spray.
  2. In a large bowl, mix together ground chicken, breadcrumbs, egg, grated parmesan, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper until well combined.
  3. Roll the mixture into 1-inch meatballs and place them on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for about 25 minutes or until golden brown.
  4. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pappardelle according to package instructions, about 8-10 minutes. Drain and reserve some pasta water.
  5. In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat, sauté garlic for 1-2 minutes, then add spinach and cook until wilted.
  6. Add butter to the skillet, melt, then whisk in flour to form a roux. Gradually whisk in milk until thickened; stir in parmesan until creamy.
  7. Combine the cooked pappardelle with the spinach and garlic, then stir in the creamy sauce. Add pasta water if needed.
  8. Serve warm, topped with the baked meatballs and additional parmesan if desired.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 450kcalCarbohydrates: 40gProtein: 30gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 7gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 100mgSodium: 800mgPotassium: 600mgFiber: 3gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 1500IUVitamin C: 30mgCalcium: 250mgIron: 3mg

Notes

This dish makes excellent leftovers for a next-day lunch. Store meatballs and pasta separately to maintain texture.

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