Here’s a classic recipe for Spaghetti and Meatballs—comfort food at its finest. 🍝🍅✨
Ingredients:
For the Meatballs:
- 1 lb ground beef or a mix of beef and pork
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 egg
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped (or 1 tsp dried parsley)
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 2 tbsp olive oil (for cooking)
For the Sauce:
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
- 1 tsp sugar (optional, to balance acidity)
- 1 tsp dried basil or oregano
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
For the Spaghetti:
- 12 oz spaghetti
- Salt, for boiling water
For Garnish:
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh basil, chopped
Instructions:
Make the Meatballs:
- Mix the Ingredients:
- In a large bowl, combine ground meat, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, egg, garlic, parsley, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix gently until just combined.
- Shape the Meatballs:
- Roll the mixture into 1-inch balls and set aside.
- Cook the Meatballs:
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Cook the meatballs until browned on all sides, about 6-8 minutes. Remove and set aside (they don’t need to be fully cooked; they’ll finish in the sauce).
Make the Sauce:
- Sauté Aromatics:
- In the same skillet, add olive oil if needed. Sauté onion until soft, about 3-4 minutes.
- Add garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Simmer the Sauce:
- Add crushed tomatoes, sugar (if using), basil or oregano, salt, and pepper.
- Simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Add the Meatballs:
- Gently place the meatballs into the sauce. Simmer for another 15-20 minutes, ensuring the meatballs are cooked through.
