Spaghetti and Meatballs

Rating:

(5 votes) 4 5

You will love the taste of the homemade meatballs and rich tomato sauce.

Ingredients

  • Meatballs:
  • 1 1/2 C. soft bread cubes from sliced white bread (about 2 to 3 slices, including crusts)
  • 1 egg
  • 1/3 C. milk
  • 1 lb. ground beef or beef and pork mixture
  • 1/2 C. freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus additional for garnish
  • 2-4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
  • 1/4 C. finely chopped parsley
  • Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
  • Sauce:
  • 3 Tbs. olive oil
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 2-4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
  • 1/2 tsp. dried oregano
  • 1/4 tsp. red pepper flakes, or to taste
  • 4 15 oz. cans Italian plum tomatoes with their liquid
  • 2 Tbs. tomato paste
  • 2 Tbs. chopped fresh basil or parsley
  • 1 tsp. red wine vinegar
  • Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
  • 1 lb. spaghetti or other thin noodle, cooked according to the package directions

Directions

Combine the bread, egg, and milk in a mixing bowl, stirring to combine, and let rest for 15 minutes. Mash the bread mixture with a fork to make a smooth paste. Add the remaining ingredients and stir to combine. Form the meat into balls about the size of golf balls (or larger if you like) and place them on a greased baking sheet. Bake in a preheated 400 F oven until browned, about 20 minutes.Meanwhile, make the sauce. Heat the oil in a pot over moderate heat and sauté the onion until tender but not brown, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic, oregano, and red pepper flakes and cook for 2 minutes. Add the tomatoes with their liquid, crushing the tomatoes with your hand as you add them. Add the tomato paste, basil, vinegar, salt, and pepper and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer uncovered for 20 to 30 minutes. Add the meatballs and simmer for 20 to 30 minutes.To serve, toss about 1 C. of the sauce with the drained spaghetti and divide it between 4 to 6 serving plates. Top with the meatballs and remaining sauce and serve with freshly grated Parmesan cheese.

Review this recipe:

Reviews (3)

  • looks delicious - sounds very similar to my sauce and meatballs. I add chopped green pepper to my meatballs. My sauce is made of Ragu sauce as a base and I add tomato puree', tomato sauce and tomato paste. I add a few spices to the meatballs also.

    Flag as inappropriate 11021942d  |  November 8, 2009

  • This recipe sound great. i have never used milk. I am trying these tomrrow.

    Flag as inappropriate  |  December 15, 2008

  • This sounds delicious! So glad to see you using milk in the meatballs. Makes all the difference in the world.

    Flag as inappropriate Comfortcook  |  September 3, 2008

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