Florentine Mac and Cheese and Roast Chicken Sausage Meatballs

* Salt
* 1 pound cavatappi corkscrew shaped hallow pasta
* 1 1/2 pounds ground chicken
* Black pepper
* 2 to 3 sprigs fresh rosemary, leaves stripped and finely chopped
* 2 teaspoons fennel seeds
* 3 cloves garlic, grated
* 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
* 1 cup ricotta cheese
* 1 1/2 cups grated Parmigiano Reggiano, divided
* 1 egg
* 3/4 cup bread crumbs, plus more, if needed*
* 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
* 2 boxes, 10 ounces, chopped frozen spinach
* 3 tablespoons butter
* 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
* 1 cup chicken stock
* 1 cup whole milk
* 1/8 teaspoon grated nutmeg, eyeball it

Directions

Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.

Place a large pot of water on to boil for pasta. When it comes to a boil, salt it and add the pasta to cook to al dente. Strain pasta reserving 1 cup cooking liquid.

While the water is coming to a boil, in a large mixing bowl combine the chicken, salt and pepper, rosemary, fennel seeds, garlic, crushed red pepper flakes, ricotta cheese, 1/2 cup grated Parmigiano - a rounded handful, egg and bread crumbs. *If the mixture seems too wet, add a handful of bread crumbs and mix together.

Form 8 large round balls, about 3 to 4-inches. Coat balls in a couple of tablespoons of extra-virgin olive oil and lightly grease a baking sheet with 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil. Arrange balls on the baking sheet and roast 17 to 18 minutes until juices run clear.

Defrost spinach in microwave 8 to 10 minutes on "defrost" setting depending on the microwave. Place the boxes in a shallow dish to catch any run off.

While the meatballs roast, in a medium sauce pot over medium heat, melt butter, whisk in flour, cook 1 minute then whisk in stock and milk, season with salt, pepper and nutmeg and thicken 5 to 6 minutes. Stir in the remaining 1 cup grated Parmigiano and reduce heat on lowest setting.

Wring spinach completely dry in clean kitchen towel then separate as you add it to the sauce. Also add the reserved 1 cup pasta cooking liquid.

Toss pasta with the spinach-white sauce and adjust seasonings.

Serve Florentine Mac-n-Cheese with 2 meatballs per person along side.