Formal Italian meals consist of many courses, of which one usually consists of pasta in sauce. The pasta course does not have to try to be a whole meal, there are other courses yet to come.

Pasta fazool is a popular pasta dish that pairs noodles with some form of beans, often cannellini (allubia) or chickpeas (garbanzos). Fazool derives from fasule, the Neapolitan name for fagioli – beans. You'll also no doubt have heard the lyrics to 'That's Amore' sung by Dean Martin:

When the stars make you drool just like a pasta fazool, that's amore!

This recipe has additional ingredients because it is designed to be a whole meal in itself. It is based on Sausage, Mushroom and Chickpea Pasta Fazool, which can be found in Soup Suppers, a cookbook by Arthur Schwartz. Meatballs are used instead of sausage here, and there are added ingredients such as carrots and greens.

Enjoy!

Ingredients: Serves Two

• 3 cups of water
• A splash of olive oil on the bottom of the pot
• 1 tsp of garlic powder or a couple of cloves of fresh garlic
• 1 tsp of dried rosemary
• 1 cube of chicken bouillon, or other chicken stock
• Half a cup of macaroni or other small pasta
• 16oz can of garbanzos/chickpeas, drained
• Two 16oz cans of low-sodium tomatoes
• 16oz can of low-sodium mushrooms - or fresh sliced mushrooms
• 8 to 10 turkey or beef meatballs, (about 8oz)
• 8oz of chopped greens, fresh or frozen [spinach, kale, or collard greens]
• 8oz of carrots, chopped
• One medium onion, chopped

Method:

The meatballs may be bought ready prepared, however they are very easy to make. Turkey meatballs are fairly healthy.

How to make Turkey Meatballs

• 1lb of turkey mince
• 1 egg
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• half teaspoon each of dried thyme and oregano
• Freshly ground pepper
• Approximately 2 tablespoons of instant potato flakes.

Method

Put the mince into a large bowl.

Stir in the soy sauce, the egg and the herbs.

Sprinkle in some of the potato flakes, allow the mixture to thicken slightly and then add a little more, until the mixture will hold together in the shape needed. The amount needed depends on the size of the egg and the moisture of the minced meat.

Use a teaspoon to make small balls, roll to shape (in clean hands!) Place on a plate until they've all been made.

Drop half of these meatballs into the simmering pan.

Freeze the other half for another meal.

Be careful to wash your hands and utensils thoroughly after contact with raw poultry.