‘Avgolemono’ Rigatoni & Spicy Rosemary Turkey Meatballs

Avgolemono is one of my favorite soups of all time. It features the perfect combination of lemon & egg to create a creamy soup. This pasta a similar technique as one would use to make avogolemono but applies it to pasta and makes it a sauce.

Spicy Rosemary Turkey Meatballs add the perfect contrast. Turkey meatballs, and ground turkey is a staple for work week lunch and dinner prep, here’s how I make them.

‘Avgolemono’ Rigatoni & Spicy Rosemary Turkey Meatballs

Ingredients:

  • 1 pound of ground turkey
  • 1 shallot, minced
  • 1/2 TBSP of finely chopped sage, parsley & rosemary each
  • 3 eggs
  • 2 lemons
  • 1 TBSP of chopped Calabrian chilis
  • 1/2 cup of breadcrumbs
  • S&P to taste
  • 1 TSP of garlic powder
  • 1/2 pound of rigatoni
  • 1/4 cup of shredded pecorino

1. Assemble meatballs. Add finely chopped shallot, rosemary, parsley, and sage to large bowl with ground turkey. Salt and pepper to taste and add garlic powder.

2. Add one egg, breadcrumbs and 1/2 lemon worth of lemon juice. Mix together. Add Calabrian chillis according to desired spice level. Amount listed above is mild.

3. Cook meatballs. Heat pan at medium heat, add drizzle of olive oil to the pan. Form meatballs and cook on each side until golden brown. Finish cooking in oven at 350 for an additional 10-15 minutes until fully cooked (dependent on the size of your meatball).

4. Assemble sauce. In a small bowl, whisk too eggs and 1 lemon worth of lemon juice. S&P to taste.

5. Bowl pasta according to packaging instructions. Reserve a small amount of pasta water before draining. I used a small espresso glass about half full.

6. Temper the egg mixture. Add a small amount of the pasta water to the egg mixture, no more than a TBSP and quickly whisk and temper the eggs.

6. Drain pasta and turn off the heat, remove the pot from the heat. Add drained pasta back into the pot. Add in egg mixture while quickly mixing.

7. Add pecorino to pasta. Place pot back on the portion of your stove you used to cook the pasta, but do not turn on. Quickly stir the pasta until the mixture thinkers and remove from heat once it does.

8. Garnish with herbs & pecorino, serve and enjoy!