Any hearty green will work to make this easy yet tasty pesto that packs a flavor-filled punch in every bite of our Mustard Greens Pesto with Spaghetti and Chicken Meatballs.
Mustard Greens Pesto with Spaghetti and Chicken Meatballs
Makes 6 to 8 servings
Ingredients
- MEATBALLS
- 1 pound ground chicken
- 1 large egg
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- ¾ cup plain dry bread crumbs
- ½ cup grated pecorino cheese
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- 1 tablespoon minced shallot
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon packed lemon zest
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- PESTO
- 3 cups chopped fresh mustard greens
- 1 cup packed fresh flat leaf parsley leaves
- ½ teaspoon lemon zest
- ½ cup fresh lemon juice
- ¼ cup water
- ¼ cup toasted pine nuts
- ¼ cup chopped toasted walnuts
- 4 cloves garlic, smashed
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ⅛ teaspoon crushed red pepper
- 1 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 (16-ounce) package spaghetti, cooked according to package directions
- Garnish: shaved pecorino, fresh parsley leaves, crushed red pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, combine chicken, egg, oil, and Worcestershire. Add bread crumbs, cheese, parsley, shallot, garlic, salt, lemon zest, crushed red pepper, and black pepper until just combined. Divide mixture into 24 portions, and roll into balls. Place on prepared baking sheet.
- Bake until golden brown and an instant-read thermometer registers 165°, 15 to 20 minutes.
- In the container of a blender, add greens, parsley, lemon zest and juice, ¼ cup water, pine nuts, walnuts, garlic, salt, and crushed red pepper, and blend until finely chopped. With blender running, add oil in a slow, steady stream until fully combined.
- In a large skillet, combine pesto and spaghetti. Cook over medium heat until just heated through, 5 to 7 minutes.
- Serve meatballs over spaghetti. Garnish with pecorino, parsley, and crushed red pepper, if desired.
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