Creamy Baked Chicken Meatballs and Pasta (Low FODMAP)

20 Minutes prep • 35 Minutes cook • Low FODMAP • Gluten-free • Serves 4 • Ok to make ahead: Steps 1-2

These chicken meatballs aren't just delicious, they're the perfect combination of tender chicken, aromatic herbs, and savory spices. Baked in one pan alongside vibrant greens and atop creamy pasta, this dish is no ordinary meal. Prepare to indulge in a satisfying one-pan/one-bowl meal that will delight you and your family and nourish your body.

Ingredients

2 pounds ground chicken, pork, or turkey

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

1 cup leek greens, chopped

1/2 cup grated Parmesan

2 teaspoons Smoke N Sanity Essence of Garlic salt (use code IBSGC 15 for 15% discount)

2 teaspoons dried rosemary

1 teaspoon smoked paprika

1/2 - 1 teaspoon Kosher salt

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

1 1/2 tablespoons finely chopped lemon peel

1 1/2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped

Pinch (or more) Red pepper flakes

12 ounces dry gluten-free pasta such as Delallo Orzo or Quinoa Fusilli

2 cups water or chicken broth (I use Gourmend Low FODMAP Chicken Broth - use code IBSGC15 for 15% discount)

1/4 cup Miren (rice wine) or dry white wine

1/2 cup heavy cream or canned full-fat coconut milk

3 cups kale, stems removed and leaves chopped, or spinach

1 cup gruyere or cheddar, grated

Directions

(1) Prepare: Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Clean and chop the leek greens and kale (or remove stems from spinach and chop if using that instead).

(2) Season the meat: Combine dijon, leek greens, garlic salt, rosemary, smoked paprika, salt, pepper, and parmesan in a bowl. Once blended, add the chicken and blend well with your hands to combine the seasonings with the meat thoroughly. Roll the meat in tablespoon size balls (will make about 24 meatballs).

Make ahead note: If you aren’t going to cook them right away, put the meatballs in the refrigerator until ready to bake.

(3) Prepare to bake: Combine the olive oil, lemon peel, dill, and red pepper flakes. Spread across the bottom of a 9 x 13-inch baking dish. Lay the meatballs on top of the lemon oil mixture. Bake for about 10 minutes until just starting to get crisp.

(4) Add the pasta: Remove the meatballs from the oven. Reduce the oven temperature to 400 degrees F. Flip each meatball over. Add the dry pasta. Pour over 2 cups of water or chicken broth and the miren or wine. Stir to combine without breaking up the meatballs. Put the chopped kale or spinach on top of the meatballs.

(5) Bake: Bake for 12 - 15 minutes until most, but not all, of the liquid has cooked into the pasta. Remove from the oven and stir the pasta around to prevent it from sticking together. Add the cream, and stir again. then sprinkle the grated cheese over the top. Bake for another 10 minutes until the cheese has melted and the sauce is bubbling around the meatballs.

(6) Plate and serve: Serve topped with fresh dill, basil, and red pepper flakes (optional).

Eat and enjoy every bite because you can!

Recipe note: I use Diamond Crystal Kosher salt in all my recipes because it has a wonderful flat and crisp flake that tastes delicious. It is also the least salty salt available so you can use it more liberally as a seasoning than you can table salt or sea salt. If you use another type of salt, you may need to reduce the amount so it is not over-salted. 

Have a question you’d like to have answered? Email me at hello@ibsgamechanger.com

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