Meatballs in Marinara sauce

Ingredients 

For meatballs

Oil spray

1 pound ground chicken

1/2 cup basil paste

1/2 cup panko bread crumbs

1 tsp salt

1/4 tsp pepper

For Marinara sauce

1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

2 garlic cloves, peeled and minced

1 lb Roma tomatoes diced

1 tsp oregano

1/4 tsp cayenne pepper

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 cup water

Method

Meatballs 

Adjust oven rack to middle position

Heat oven to 450 degrees. 

Line baking sheet with parchment paper, spray with oil.

In large bowl, combine chicken, basil, panko, salt, and pepper. 

Use your hands to gently mix until well combined.

Lightly wet your hands. 

Use your wet hands to roll chicken mixture into 24 meatballs 

Arrange meatballs evenly on baking sheet

Place baking sheet in oven and bake until meatballs are just beginning to brown, about 15 minutes.

Take out and keep aside.

Marinara Sauce

Add oil in a saucepan. 

Heat over medium heat for 1 minute 

Stir in garlic and cook for 30 seconds. 

Stir in tomatoes and bring to boil. 

Add in salt, oregano, cayenne pepper

Add 1/2 cup water, reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, stirring occasionally, for 20 minutes.

Take off heat and using a hand mixer blend to smooth paste. 

Meatballs in sauce 

Carefully transfer meatballs in the sauce in the pan.

Place back on medium heat.

Cook, for 5 minutes

Serve hot with pasta or in rolls