Ingredients
- 1 pound orecchiette pasta
- 1/4 cup plain bread crumbs
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf Italian parsley
- 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
- 1 tablespoon whole milk
- 1 tablespoon ketchup
- 3/4 cup freshly grated Romano cheese
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 pound ground chicken
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 4 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 8 ounces bocconcini (small mozzarella balls), halved
- 1 cup chopped fresh basil leaves
Directions
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Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook until tender but still firm to the bite, stirring occasionally, 8-10 minutes.
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In a medium bowl, stir together the bread crumbs, parsley, eggs, milk, ketchup, Romano cheese, salt, and pepper. Add the chicken and combine well. Using a melon baller or 1 teaspoon measure, scoop the mixture into 3/4-inch mini meatballs onto a greased or lined sheet pan.
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Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Working in batches, add the meatballs and cook without moving until brown on the bottom, about 2 minutes. Turn the meatballs and brown the tops, about 2 minutes longer. Add the chicken broth and tomatoes and bring to a boil, using a wooden spoon to scrape up the brown bits that cling to the bottom of the pan. Reduce heat to low and simmer until the tomatoes are soft and meatballs are cooked through, about 5 minutes.
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Drain the pasta, reserving about 1 cup of the pasta water. Transfer the pasta to a large serving bowl and add 1/2 cup of the Parmesan. Toss to coat the orecchiette lightly, adding some of the reserved pasta water to help make a sauce. Add the meatball mixture, bocconcini, and 1/2 cup of the basil and combine. Garnish with the remaining 1/2 cup of Parmesan and remaining basil.
Recipe Notes
From Giada's Kitchen
Pretty bland, but definitely not bad.
Something I'd make for myself, but not for anyone I was trying to impress
Yum, yum, yum this looks like a great fall dish, can't wait to try it!
This looks great, I love meatballs! And I also find baking really relaxing.
… and this meal looks like the perfect way to do just that!
I also find cooking to be incredibly relaxing
Looks great!!