Cooking for Zo

Taste Level: VG
Cost: $20 and under
Serves: 4
Prep Time: 15-20 min.
Cook Time: 40-45 min.
Difficulty: 1

I went out to my parent's to cook them an early dinner this weekend. I told my mother I was going to make Spaghetti and meatballs but I've been having a hard time recalling my old meatball recipe. I can't even figure out where I wrote it down at! I know it put it in one of those places that I would be sure to remember but I can not seem to remember... Zo and I enjoyed the bell pepper stuffing I made so much I decided I would try to use the same stuffing and adapt it into a meatball recipe. These meat balls came out really flavorful! Serve them with a simple sauce so their wonderful flavor does not get drown out. They will be the star of the meal.

Ingredients:
enough Wheat spaghetti for 4 servings (You decide what a serving will be)
1 1/2 cups pesto marinara (sauce/topping label or use your favorite sauce)
1 bell pepper (diced)
1 lb spicy Italian ground sausage
1/4 cup Orzo
1 cup sweet onion (chopped)
2-3 cloves garlic (minced, 1 1/2 tsp)
1 cup button mushrooms (sliced)
1 tbsp Italian bread crumbs
1 1/2 tsp Romano (grated)
1 1/2 tsp Parmesan (grated)
1/4 cup fresh parsley (chopped)
2 tsp fresh basil (chopped)
1 tbsp sweet European butter
fresh crack pepper (to taste)
Fresh Parmesan (to taste over pasta)

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

In a small sauce pan add 2-3 cups water and Orzo. Place over high heat and bring to boil. Cook for 7 minutes stirring occasionally, then remove from heat and strain.

While orzo is boiling. Melt butter in a medium skillet over medium heat. Once butter is melted cook onions, garlic, bell pepper and mushrooms until onions are translucent (7 minutes.)

In a medium mixing bowl fold together Italian sausage, Orzo, mushrooms, bell pepper, onions, garlic, parsley, basil, bread crumbs, Romano and Parmesan till mixed well. Roll mixture into 10-12 meatballs and place on a baking sheet. Cook for 45 minutes.

While meatballs are cooking prepare your noodles and sauce (if not using my pesto marinara use a simple sauce, the meatballs are going to be the main attraction of this meal.)

Once meatballs are ready arrange pasta and sauce on plate, serve desired amount of meatballs, crack fresh pepper over sauce and grate a little fresh Parmesan over the top of pasta and sauce.