Chicken Meatballs with Basil Pesto in Spaghetti Squash Cups

Posted by Dr. Lori Arnold

Chicken Meatballs with Basil Pesto in Spaghetti Squash Cups

Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Sugar-Free, Low Carb, Paleo-Friendly

Ingredients for MEATBALLS:

1 lb. Organic Free-Range Hormone-Free Ground Chicken Breast

1 small Organic Zucchini, chopped

1 cup Fresh Organic Crimini Mushrooms, chopped

4 Tbsp. Almond Flour

2 Tbsp. Ground Flaxseed

¼ cup Fresh Parsley

¼ cup Fresh Basil

½ tsp. Dried Oregano

½ tsp. Dried Thyme

1 medium Organic Free-Range Egg

3-4 Tbsp. Organic Coconut Oil

Salt and Pepper, to taste

Instructions for MEATBALLS:

1. Add to food processor: mushrooms, zucchini, fresh basil, and fresh parsley. Pulse until finely chopped.
2. In a large bowl, combine chicken, contents of food processor, thyme, oregano, almond flour, flaxseed, egg and salt and pepper. Mix ingredients well… use your hands!
3. In a large skillet, heat half of the coconut oil. When oil is hot, spoon meatball-sized balls (will be a little wet from the wet ingredients) into the pan. Sauté 5-6 meatballs at a time on medium-high heat, turning until all sides are browned. Reserve remainder of coconut oil for additional batches until all meat is cooked.
4. Set meatballs aside until spaghetti squash is cooked.

Ingredients for PESTO:

1 cup fresh Organic Basil, tightly packed

1/3 cup fresh Organic Parsley

1-2 small cloves fresh Organic Garlic

½ cup Raw Pine Nuts

½ cup Cold-Pressed Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil

¼ – ½ tsp. Himalayan Sea Salt, to taste

Fresh Ground Pepper, to taste

Instructions for PESTO:

1. Place basil, parsley, garlic, pine nuts, and olive oil in a food processor and pulse until smooth consistency. Add salt and pepper to taste.
2. Set aside until spaghetti squash is cooked.

Ingredients for Squash:

1 medium Spaghetti Squash

3 medium Organic Free-Range Egg-Whites, whisked

Coconut Oil Cooking Spray

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
2. Cut spaghetti squash length-wise down the middle and clean out “guts”. Place squash on baking pan, cut side down, and bake for 30-35 minutes.
3. When squash is done, remove from oven. Use a fork to “loosen” the strands so it looks like spaghetti noodles.
4. Reduce oven heat to 375 degrees F.
5. In a large mixing bowl, combine cooked spaghetti squash and egg whites.
6. Spray a muffin pan with coconut oil cooking spray. Spoon enough spaghetti squash mix into each muffin tin, pressing down the middle to make a nest for the meatball.
7. Place one cooked meatball on top of each spaghetti muffin and place in oven.
8. Bake for 30-35 minutes. May require extra time if needed.
9. Remove from oven and serve on a plate with a dollop of Basil Pesto on each “muffin”.
10. TIP: You may garnish with fresh herbs and chopped tomato if you want extra flavor and color.