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Spaghetti and Meatballs

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 Spaghetti and meatballs is such a comfort food classic. The meatballs are made from ground beef and Italian sausage and served with a sauce made with mushrooms, onions, basil, and Parmesan.



Ingredients

For the sauce

  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

  • 1/2 sweet yellow onion, chopped

  • 3 cloves garlic, chopped

  • 1 cup very finely chopped carrots

  • 1 cup chopped cremini brown mushrooms

  • 3 tablespoons tomato paste

  • 2 (28-ounce) cans Italian plum tomatoes (San Marzano, if possible)

  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh Italian parsley

  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil

  • 1/4 cup red wine

  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan-Romano cheese blend

  • Salt, to taste (about 1 teaspoon)

For the meatballs

  • 1 pound ground beef (at least 16% fat)

  • 1/2 pound fresh bulk Italian-style pork sausage

  • 2 tablespoons finely chopped basil

  • 2 tablespoons finely chopped Italian parsley

  • 1/2 cup finely chopped cremini brown mushrooms

  • 2 large eggs

  • 3/4 cup unseasoned breadcrumbs

  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan-Romano cheese blend

  • 2 teaspoons sea salt

  • 2 teaspoons fresh ground black pepper

  • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

  • 1 splash red wine

For the pasta

  • 1 1/2 pounds dry 100% semolina spaghetti, thin spaghetti, or bucatini

  • Salt, for the pasta water

Method

  1. Prepare the sauce:

    Heat the olive oil in a 4 to 5-quart pot on medium-high heat. Add the onions and cook for 2 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds longer or until fragrant.

    Add the carrots and mushrooms, and cook for 2 minutes. Add the tomato paste, stir to blend, and cook for a minute longer.

    Add the canned tomatoes, parsley, and basil. Mash and stir the tomatoes with a potato masher until the sauce starts to thicken, about 5 minutes over medium-high heat.

    Reduce the heat to low and simmer gently while preparing meatballs, stirring occasionally.

    Onions, Mushrooms, Carrots, and Tomato Paste Cooked Together in a Pot for Spaghetti and Meatballs Recipe

    Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe

    Herbs Added to Pot While Canned Tomatoes Is Smashed Using a Potato Smasher for Spaghetti & Meatballs Recipe

    Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe

    Spaghetti and Meatballs Sauce in a Pot, Mixed Using a Wooden Spoon

    Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe

  2. Form the meatballs:

    In a large bowl, use your hands to mix the beef, Italian sausage, basil, parsley, mushrooms, eggs, breadcrumbs, cheese, salt, and pepper. Do not over-mix or the meatballs will be tough.

    Use a small melon baller, cookie scoop, or heaping teaspoon to form 1-inch round meatballs. Roll and compress into tight balls, but don't overwork the mixture.

    Bowl of Meatball Ingredients All Mixed Together for Spaghetti and Meatballs Recipe

    Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe

    Meatballs Portioned Using a Cookie Scoop and Placed on a Parchment Wrapped Baking Tray for Spaghetti and Meatballs

    Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe

    Meatballs on a Parchment Paper Lined Baking Sheet after Being Shaped into Balls for Spaghetti and Meatballs Recipe

    Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe

  3. Brown the meatballs:

    In a separate wide, shallow pan, heat the olive oil on medium-high heat. Brown the meatballs on all sides, about 2 to 3 minutes.

    Depending on pan size you may need to brown 2 batches of the meatballs. Cook them in a single layer; do not crowd the pan by stacking them.

    Do not overcook the meatballs; they will continue to cook in the sauce. You just want to brown them on all sides. Towards the end of browning the meatballs, add a little bit of red wine to deglaze the pan.

    Meatballs Browned in a Large Pan for Spaghetti and Meatballs Recipe

    Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe

  4. Finish and simmer the sauce:

    Add the red wine to the sauce and stir in the cheese. Add salt to taste. Add the browned meatballs and gently stir. Simmer the sauce and meatballs for 30 to 45 minutes, stirring occasionally.

    Red Wine and Parmesan Added to Pot of Sauce for Spaghetti and Meatballs Recipe

    Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe

    Meatballs Added to Pot of Sauce

    Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe

    Meatballs Stirred into Pot of Sauce With a Wooden Spoon

    Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe

  5. Cook the spaghetti:

    While the sauce is simmering, bring a large pot with 4 quarts of salted water to a boil (1 tablespoon of salt for every 2 quarts of water). When the water returns to a boil add the pasta to the pot.

    Leave the pot uncovered while you cook the pasta on high heat with a vigorous boil. Put a timer on for 8 to 10 minutes, or according to package directions for al dente pasta (cooked but still a little firm). Drain.

    Cooked Spaghetti in a Colander for Spaghetti and Meatballs

    Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe

  6. Serve:

    To serve, place a thin layer of sauce on each plate, add the pasta, add sauce and meatballs, and then sprinkle with grated Parmesan-Romano cheese.

    Plate of Spaghetti and Meatballs Topped With Parmesan

    Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe

    Table Setting (L to R): Toasted Bread on a Wooden Board, Burgundy Table Cloth, a Platter of Spaghetti and Meatballs With a Slice of Tasted Bread and Topped With Basil, a Glass of Water, Bite Size Bread Pieces on the Table, a Bread Piece Dipped into a Small Saucer With Olive Oil and Crushed Red Peppers, a Small Bowl With Parmesan, and a Plate With More Spaghetti and Meatballs

for full instructions click on the next page

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