These chicken sausage meatballs were the first dish I made living alone.
After just a month of falling in love with a townhouse, and jumping through all the hoops with a realtor, attorney, lender, etc., my roommates (aka my daughter Hannah and my son-in-law Jacob) moved into their new home today.
Hannah was quite nervous when the movers got here, making sure they took all their stuff, which included boxes upon boxes of things they packed when the tried to move out two years ago.
The movers arrived at 8:00 a.m. and were done by 9:30. I was happy I was here to be here when they left, but truth be told, it hasn’t really sunk in yet that I am living alone. The dogs stayed with me until about 2 p.m. I clocked out at 5. Mopped the kitchen floor from the movers coming in and out when it was rainy this morning.
And then I decided what to make for dinner – my first dinner living alone in my whole life.
This is a super quick and delicious way to have spaghetti and meatballs. Yes, I know whole wheat pasta is zero points on WW, I had a package of bucatini and that sounded delicious.
My secret for quick meatballs? Just take the meat out of the casing, make tiny meatballs and then cook them over medium high heat for 5-6 minutes. Add your pasta sauce to the meatballs to help them finish cooking while the pasta cooks.
I had some artisan lettuce from Mariano’s and sautéed it with a bit of avocado oil spray and mixed that in with the pasta. Best decision ever because it had a slightly bitter note and paired perfectly with the spicy chicken sausage.
Chicken Sausage Meatballs with Pasta
A quick way to get spaghetti and meatballs on the table is to take the sausage out of the casing and make tiny meatballs! The meatballs cook while the pasta cooks - literally dinner is on the table in about 15 minutes.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces dry bucatini pasta (when cooked equals one cup)
- 1/2 cup pasta sauce
- 1 chicken sausage link, casing removed and shaped into mini meatballs
- 1/2 cup artisan greens
- 1 tablespoon grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain.
In the same pan, add the chicken meatballs (sprayed with avocado oil spray) and cook over medium high heat for 5 minutes, or until slightly browned). Add sauce and simmer on low while the pasta cooks.
In a separate skillet, spray pan with avocado oil spray and wilt the greens for about 2 minutes over medium heat. Add the cooked pasta to the greens and plate. Top with meatballs and sauce and the grated Parmesan.
Enjoy!
Notes
The cooked pasta is 6 points, the sausage is 2 points and the Parm is 1 point on all WW plans.
This was delicious. Comforting. A hug on a plate.
I am so happy I’ve had these last 5 1/2 years of getting to know Jacob better than most mother-in-laws have. He loves my daughter to the core of his being. They make each other laugh. They literally love spending all their time together, and I get it – I was the same way with my late husband. And while he isn’t much of a hugger with me, I’ve had five hugs in the last two days – I’ll take it.
Walk into your new life Hannah and Jacob – remember that I love you always and forever.
I can’t believe they are gone. Somehow I missed this post, but saw on IG. Yay for them, moving out and moving up! Hope all is well.
It’s so crazy Marcia! They are all settled and enjoying their new life – the best a Mom could ask for!
Congrats, So happy for them!
Thanks Jacky – it’s a bit quiet but so far so good! I don’t have to fight for a turn at the washing machine 😀
Definitely give this recipe a try. Love the mini chicken sausage idea.
Treasure the memories of your “roommates” time with you. Sounds like you were all lucky!
So lucky! I miss the dogs greeting me at the door too!
Best of luck to Hannah and Jacob, what an exciting time for them and I am glad they are close by. I lived alone for years before I met my husband at the ripe old age of 32 so you will do fine. My advice is plan some nights out so you don’t have every night home alone. For chicken sausage I take the casing off and just slice them and fry them that way because I am lazy like that but the mini balls really look more impressive.
Well hopefully when I can get back downtown I’ll get back to my restaurant eating – I miss it so much!
Best wishes to them!! And hugs to you!
Thank you Nancy!
I never thought to use a sausage for meatballs. It is something I need to remember. I hope Hannah & Jacob live close enough for visits & holiday meals. I live far from family & sometimes holidays can be tough. I know you will be fine but I am sure you will miss them.
Luckily they live 7 minutes away! 😀
Biz I’m so happy for Hannah & Jacob. A new beginning indeed. It must be strange not having them in your house.
It’s weird, but they were so ready – and that makes me happy! 😀
You always hit me right in the feels! This post was beautiful.
It was a bit quiet last night without them – it was nice having my Mom over though 😀