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Italian Spaghetti and Meatballs

Italian Spaghetti and Meatballs
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A simple and delicious Italian Spaghetti and Meatballs recipe combining tender, flavorful meatballs with perfectly cooked spaghetti and rich tomato sauce. Perfect for quick dinners, this classic comfort food is easy to make, customizable, and sure to impress family and friends.

Ingredients

Scale

Meatball Ingredients

  • 1/2 lb ground beef
  • 1/2 lb ground pork (or use 1 lb ground beef for leaner option)
  • 1 cup bread crumbs
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
  • 1 large egg, beaten
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 2 tbsp olive oil, for browning

Tomato Sauce Ingredients

  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 small onion, chopped
  • 28 oz (800g) can crushed tomatoes
  • 1 tsp dried basil or 1 tbsp fresh basil, chopped
  • 1 tsp dried oregano or 1 tbsp fresh oregano, chopped
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 1 tbsp olive oil

Pasta

  • 12 oz (340g) spaghetti (high-quality durum wheat or gluten-free as preferred)
  • Salt for pasta water

Garnish

  • Fresh basil leaves
  • Freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • Cracked black pepper

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Meatball Mixture: In a large bowl, combine ground meat, bread crumbs, grated Parmesan, finely chopped garlic and onion, chopped parsley, beaten egg, salt, and pepper. Mix gently by hand until just combined to maintain tenderness.
  2. Shape the Meatballs: Roll the mixture into evenly sized meatballs, about the size of a golf ball. This ensures they cook evenly and stay juicy.
  3. Brown the Meatballs: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add meatballs in batches, turning frequently to brown all sides without cooking through completely. Remove and set aside.
  4. Make the Tomato Sauce: In the same skillet, sauté additional garlic and onion until translucent. Add crushed tomatoes, Italian herbs (basil and oregano), salt, and pepper. Let simmer gently to develop flavor.
  5. Simmer Meatballs in Sauce: Return meatballs to the sauce. Cover and let cook for 20-25 minutes over low heat, allowing flavors to meld and meatballs to cook through.
  6. Cook the Spaghetti: While the sauce simmers, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook spaghetti according to package instructions until al dente, then drain well.
  7. Combine and Serve: Serve hot spaghetti topped with meatballs and sauce. Garnish with fresh basil and grated Parmesan for an authentic finishing touch.

Notes

  • Don’t overmix meatball ingredients to avoid dense, tough meatballs.
  • Toast breadcrumbs lightly before mixing for extra crunch and flavor.
  • Use fresh herbs like basil and parsley to brighten the sauce.
  • Simmer meatballs in the sauce after browning to keep them moist and add depth.
  • Salt pasta water generously to enhance pasta flavor.

Nutrition

Keywords: Italian, spaghetti, meatballs, tomato sauce, comfort food, quick dinner, easy recipe, family meal

Find it online: https://sophiemelody.com/italian-spaghetti-and-meatballs/