The Best Spaghetti and Meatballs
Ingredients
- 1 lb spaghetti pasta
- Parmesan cheese for serving
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter, at room temperature
For the meatballs
- 1 1/2 lb ground beef
- 1/2 cup white bread crumbs
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 egg
- 3 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsp finely chopped Italian parsley
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 clove of garlic, minced
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp pepper flakes( optional)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
For the tomato sauce
- 6 medium tomatoes
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 1/2 medium onion, minced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp pepper flakes ( optional)
- 1 tsp granulated sugar
- 1 tsp oregano
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh basil
- 1 cup water
Instructions
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First prepare the meatballs mixture. Soak the bread crumbs in the milk for few minutes.
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Add all the meatballs ingredients to the soaked bread crumbs except the ground beef. Mix them very well with a fork.
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Add the ground beef at the end and mix just to combine. Try not to overwork the beef.
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Cover the meatballs mixture with plastic wrap and refrigerate.
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Now, prepare the tomato sauce by putting the tomatoes in a boiled water. Let boil for few minutes, then gently peel them off.
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Put olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat.
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Add onion, garlic, salt, pepper, oregano, dried basil, pepper flakes (optional), sugar and tomato paste.
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Cook for about 5 minutes, then add the peeled tomatoes.
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Use a potato masher in the same saucepan to mash the tomatoes.
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Let cook for a good 10 minutes on medium temperature then add water and bring to boil.
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Let simmer for about 30 minutes, then add the fresh basil.
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While the tomato sauce is simmering, form your meatballs and place them in a slightly oiled baking sheet.
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Bake in a 350°F preheated oven for about 30 minutes.
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At this time cook the spaghetti according to package directions.
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Drain and add 1 tablespoon butter. Mix the butter well.
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Place the meatballs in the tomato sauce and let simmer for about 10 minutes.
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Serve the spaghetti with the tomato sauce and meatballs.
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Add Parmesan cheese on top.
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Enjoy.
Recipe Notes
- If you are serving this dish immediately, you can mix the spaghetti in the tomato sauce and meatballs.