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Italian Spaghetti and Meatballs

Italian Spaghetti and Meatballs
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Italian Spaghetti and Meatballs is a comforting and hearty classic Italian dish featuring juicy, perfectly seasoned meatballs simmered in a rich tomato sauce, served over tender spaghetti. This recipe uses simple pantry staples and straightforward steps, making it ideal for any skill level and perfect for casual weeknights or special family dinners.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Meatballs

  • 1/2 pound ground beef
  • 1/2 pound ground pork
  • 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1 large egg
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil (for browning)

For the Tomato Sauce

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves

For the Pasta

  • 12 ounces spaghetti pasta
  • Salt (for pasta water)

For Garnish

  • Extra grated Parmesan cheese
  • Fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Meatball Mixture: In a large bowl, combine ground beef and pork with breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan, minced garlic, chopped parsley, an egg, salt, and pepper. Mix gently until all ingredients come together without overworking the meat, keeping the texture tender.
  2. Shape and Brown the Meatballs: Form the mixture into evenly sized meatballs, about one to one and a half inches in diameter. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat and brown the meatballs on all sides, ensuring a flavorful crust forms before they simmer in sauce.
  3. Make the Tomato Sauce: In a separate pot, heat olive oil and sauté minced garlic until fragrant. Add canned crushed tomatoes, a pinch of salt, pepper, and fresh basil leaves. Let the sauce simmer gently to develop a rich, balanced flavor.
  4. Simmer the Meatballs in Sauce: Transfer the browned meatballs into the simmering tomato sauce. Cover and cook on low heat for 25 to 30 minutes, allowing the meatballs to cook through and soak up the sauce’s delicious flavors.
  5. Cook the Spaghetti: While the meatballs simmer, cook spaghetti according to package instructions until al dente. Drain well and reserve a little pasta water to loosen the sauce if needed.
  6. Combine and Serve: Plate the spaghetti, spoon the meatballs and sauce over the top, and garnish with extra Parmesan and fresh parsley for a picture-perfect Italian Spaghetti and Meatballs dinner.

Notes

  • Use a blend of beef and pork for juicier meatballs.
  • Mix ingredients gently to avoid dense meatballs.
  • Brown meatballs well to build flavor before simmering.
  • Simmer sauce gently on low heat to meld flavors and keep meatballs tender.
  • Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency as needed.
  • Season generously with salt to enhance all flavors.

Nutrition

Keywords: Italian, Spaghetti, Meatballs, Comfort Food, Pasta, Dinner

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