Homestyle Italian-American Spaghetti and Meatballs

Ingredients

• Meatballs: Meatballs:
• 500g (1.1 lb) ground beef 500g (1.1 lb) ground beef
• 250g (0.55 lb) ground pork 250g (0.55 lb) ground pork
• 1 cup breadcrumbs 1 cup breadcrumbs
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 cloves garlic, minced 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
• 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
• 2 eggs 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional) 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
• Tomato Sauce: Tomato Sauce:
• 2 tablespoons olive oil 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 onion, finely chopped 1 onion, finely chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, minced 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 800g (28 oz) crushed tomatoes 800g (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1/4 cup red wine 1/4 cup red wine
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon sugar 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• Spaghetti: Spaghetti:
• 400g (14 oz) spaghetti 400g (14 oz) spaghetti
• Salt, for boiling water Salt, for boiling water

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 650 kcal / 2720 KJ
• Fat: 32g (Saturated: 12g)
• Carbohydrates: 54g (Sugar: 8g)
• Protein: 36g
• Fiber: 6g
• Salt: 2.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a large mixing bowl, combine all the meatball ingredients. Mix well until evenly combined.
2. 2.
   Shape the mixture into meatballs, approximately 1.5 inches in diameter.
3. 3.
   Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the meatballs and cook until browned on all sides. Remove the meatballs from the skillet and set aside.
4. 4.
   In the same skillet, add the chopped onion and minced garlic. Sauté until the onion becomes translucent.
5. 5.
   Add the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, red wine, dried oregano, dried basil, sugar, salt, and black pepper to the skillet. Stir well to combine.
6. 6.
   Return the meatballs to the skillet, ensuring they are submerged in the sauce. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 30-40 minutes, stirring occasionally.
7. 7.
   While the meatballs simmer, cook the spaghetti according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the spaghetti and set aside.
8. 8.
   Serve the meatballs and sauce over the cooked spaghetti. Garnish with additional Parmesan cheese and fresh basil, if desired.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Ground beef and pork — Use a mixture of lean ground beef and ground pork for the best flavor and texture in the meatballs.
• Fresh herbs — Opt for fresh parsley and basil to infuse the meatballs with vibrant flavors.
• Crushed tomatoes — Choose high-quality crushed tomatoes to ensure a rich and flavorful sauce.

Tips & Tricks

• For extra tenderness, soak the breadcrumbs in milk for a few minutes before adding them to the meatball mixture.
• To save time, you can make the meatballs in advance and refrigerate them until ready to cook.
• If you prefer a smoother sauce, you can blend the tomato sauce using an immersion blender before adding the meatballs.

Serving advice

Serve the Homestyle Italian-American Spaghetti and Meatballs with a sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan cheese and a garnish of fresh basil. Accompany it with a side of garlic bread or a simple green salad for a complete and satisfying meal.

Presentation advice

Arrange the spaghetti on a large serving platter, topped with the meatballs and sauce. Garnish with fresh basil leaves and a dusting of Parmesan cheese for an appetizing presentation.