Bacon Meatballs with Pasta
| Categories: | Main Pasta |
| Submitted by: | Bethany Meierdiercks |
| Serves: | 4
|
| Prep time: | 20 min |
| Cook time: | 25 min |
| Total time: | 45 min |
Ingredients
| 12 oz | ground pork |
| 4 slices | centercut bacon, cut into 1/2" pieces |
| 2 cloves | agrlic, finely chopped |
| 1/2 tsp | pepper, divided |
| 2 - 3 tbsp | olive oil |
| 8 oz | pasta |
| 1 med | onion, thinly sliced |
| 4 (2 cups) | plum tomatoes, coarsely chopped |
| 2 cups | kale or spinach, coarsely chopped |
| 1/4 tsp | salt |
| Parmesan cheese | |
Steps
- In medium bowl combine pork, bacon, garlic and 1/4 tsp pepper until well mixed.
- Using a teaspoon, scoop the mixture into the palm of your hand and shape into 1" meatballs - pieces of bacon will be visible
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium high heat. Add half meatballs and cook until the meatballs are browned on all sides and bacon is crisp (8 to 10 minutes). Using a slotted spoon, transfer meatballs to a paper towel, drain. Repeat with remaining meatballs reserving 1 tbsp bacon drippings in skillet.
- Cook pasta according to package directions in lightly salted water, drain. Reserving about 1/4 cup cooking liquid
- Cook onion in reserved bacon dripping over medium high heat, 3 to 4 minutes.
- Return meatballs to skillet. Add tomatoes and cook 2 to 3 minutes.
- Add pasta and kale, tossing to combine. Add pasta liquid as needed for moisture.
- Season with salt and remaining 1/4 tsp of pepper. Top with Parmesan before serving