Best Amazing Spaghetti And Meatballs Recipes

MEGAN'S AMAZING SPAGHETTI AND MEATBALLS

Megan's Amazing Spaghetti and Meatballs image

This recipe will leave your family and friends mopping up their plates with their garlic bread!

Provided by Megan Darling

Categories Main Dish Recipes Pasta Spaghetti Recipes

Time 1h20m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 18

Ingredients

1 ½ teaspoons olive oil
1 yellow onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 (16 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
½ cup red wine
3 tablespoons Italian seasoning
2 tablespoons white sugar
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 ½ teaspoons garlic salt
salt and ground black pepper to taste
½ pound lean ground beef
1 egg, beaten
¼ cup Italian seasoned bread crumbs
¼ cup grated mozzarella cheese
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
1 (16 ounce) package spaghetti
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese

Steps:

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat; cook and stir onion and garlic until onion is tender and translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, red wine, Italian seasoning, sugar, garlic powder, and garlic salt. Season with salt and black pepper. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to medium-low, and continue simmering while preparing meatballs.
Mix ground beef, egg, bread crumbs, mozzarella cheese, and parsley in a large bowl. Roll walnut-size meatballs and place in the simmering sauce, making sure sauce covers entire meatball. Increase heat to medium and simmering until meatballs are no longer pink in the center, about 40 minutes, turning meatballs once about halfway through.
Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook spaghetti in the boiling water, stirring occasionally until cooked through but firm to the bite, 8 to 10 minutes. Drain.
Serve meatballs and sauce over spaghetti with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 518.9 calories, Carbohydrate 79.8 g, Cholesterol 63.2 mg, Fat 10.3 g, Fiber 6.6 g, Protein 24.5 g, SaturatedFat 3.6 g, Sodium 969.7 mg, Sugar 11.3 g

AMAZING SPAGHETTI AND MEATBALLS.

Amazing Spaghetti and Meatballs. image

Everyone who has tried this has told me this is the best spaghetti and meatballs they have ever tasted. It makes a lot, and can be frozen in small batches to have a quick supper any night of the week.

Provided by Maddy HELEINE

Categories Pasta

Time 2h30m

Number Of Ingredients 29

Ingredients

FOR THE SAUCE
1 pt cherry tomatoes
1/2 sweet white onion chopped
1 1/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp coarse black pepper
1 tsp annice seed finely chopped
6 fresh basil leaves finely chopped
2 tsp chopped garlic
1 Tbsp chopped oregano
2 Tbsp olive oil
12 oz two 6 oz cans of contadina tomato paste
1/2 c water
2-3 pkg artificial sweetner
FOR THE MEATBALLS
1 pkg rolled jimmy dean sausage, 1 lb.
1 lb ground beef
1 large egg
1/2 sweet white onion chopped
4 pieces of honey wheat sandwich bread chopped fine (do not use bread crumbs!)
1/2 c shredded or powered parmesan cheese
1/4 c milk
2 Tbsp soft butter
1 Tbsp parsley
2 tsp chopped garlic
2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp coarse black pepper
1/4 tsp annice seed finely chopped
FOR THE PASTA
spaghetti (i prefer barilla)

Steps:

1. Cut the cherry tomatoes in half. Place the tomatoes and the onions on a sheet pan. Sprinkle with salt and coarse black pepper, and a table spoon of olive oil. Mix well. Bake at 350 degrees until they are soft. (about 20 minutes).
2. In a Cuisinart or blender, mix the roasted tomatoes, and all other remaining sauce ingredients except the paste and sugar, until it becomes a smooth liquid.
3. Put the sauce in large fry pan and add the tomato paste. Stir and let simmer until the sauce and paste combine. (About 10 minutes). If the sauce is too thick, add small amounts of water until you reach the consistency you like. Add sweetener one package at a time to taste.
4. While sauce is simmering, put all meatball ingredients in a large bowl and mix lightly with tips of your fingers. Avoid compressing the meat as you mix. Using a standard ice cream scoop, scoop individual meatballs onto a parchment lined baking sheet. Gently roll them into balls. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes, turning once with a small spoon half way through the cooking time.
5. When cooked, add the juice drippings from the meat into the sauce and stir. Add the meatballs directly into the sauce pan covering them with the sauce. Simmer while spaghetti is cooking.
6. In a large pot boil water and cook the amount of spaghetti you need for the amount of people you are serving. Drain the spaghetti and top with the meatballs, sauce, and parmesan cheese.
7. Left over meatballs and sauce can be store in portions in the freezer for up to a year. Simply reheat them in a saucepan when you want more spaghetti and meatballs.

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Amazing Spaghetti and Meatballs Recipes

If you're looking for comfort food that warms your heart and soul, you can never go wrong with spaghetti and meatballs. It's a classic Italian-American dish that's hearty, flavorful, and perfect for any occasion. Whether you're cooking for your family, a date night, or a big gathering of friends, spaghetti and meatballs always delivers.

But what makes a spaghetti and meatballs recipe amazing? There are a few key factors that elevate the dish from ordinary to extraordinary. Here are some of the things to look for:

1. High-Quality Meat

When it comes to meatballs, the quality of the meat is crucial. You want to use a blend of ground beef, pork, and veal that's ideally 80% lean and 20% fat. This will result in meatballs that are juicy, tender, and full of flavor. You can also experiment with different cuts of meat and spices to create your own signature meatball recipe.

2. Perfectly Cooked Spaghetti

Spaghetti is a simple pasta, but it's easy to overcook or undercook it. To achieve perfect al dente spaghetti, bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil, then add the pasta and stir occasionally. Cook the spaghetti for 8-10 minutes, or until it's tender but still has some bite. Drain the pasta and toss it with some olive oil and salt to prevent it from sticking together.

3. Flavorful Sauce

The sauce is the heart of any amazing spaghetti and meatballs recipe. You can use a store-bought marinara sauce, but making your own sauce from scratch is always better. Saute some onions and garlic in olive oil, then add crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, herbs, and spices. Let the sauce simmer for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.

4. Creative Twists

To make your spaghetti and meatballs recipe truly amazing, you can add some creative twists that elevate the dish to new heights. For example, you can use different types of pasta, such as penne or fusilli, instead of spaghetti. You can also add some vegetables, such as diced bell peppers or mushrooms, to the sauce to give it more depth of flavor. And if you're feeling adventurous, you can even swap out the meatballs for turkey or vegetarian meatballs.

5. Attention to Detail

The devil is in the details when it comes to cooking amazing spaghetti and meatballs. Paying attention to every step of the recipe, from seasoning the meatballs to timing the pasta, will ensure that every element of the dish is perfectly executed. Use a meat thermometer to make sure the meatballs are cooked to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit. And don't forget to garnish the dish with some fresh herbs, such as basil or parsley, for that extra pop of color and flavor.

Overall, the key to making amazing spaghetti and meatballs is to put love, care, and attention into every element of the dish. With the right ingredients, techniques, and creative twists, you can create a spaghetti and meatballs recipe that's truly unforgettable.

Spaghetti and meatballs are a classic Italian dish that has become a staple in households around the world. It's a dish that is loved by many, but not everyone can make it quite like an Italian Nonna. The key to making amazing spaghetti and meatballs is all in the details. With a little bit of patience and some tips from the pros, anyone can make a mouthwatering spaghetti and meatballs dish.

Tip 1: Use High-Quality Ingredients

The first tip to making amazing spaghetti and meatballs is to use high-quality ingredients. Italian cuisine is known for its simple yet robust flavors, and this is achieved by using the freshest and best ingredients available. When making spaghetti and meatballs, always opt for fresh herbs, vegetables, and meats. When it comes to the meat, use a good quality ground beef. Ground beef with a higher fat content will result in juicier and more flavorful meatballs. It's also a good idea to mix different types of meats, such as pork and beef, for a richer flavor.

Tip 2: Make Your Own Sauce

The next tip is to make your own sauce. While it's tempting to buy pre-made sauce, it simply won't compare to homemade sauce. A good marinara sauce is simple to make and only requires a few ingredients, such as tomatoes, onions, garlic, and olive oil. With a little bit of time and effort, you can make a sauce that is bursting with flavor. Another advantage of making your own sauce is that you can adjust the seasoning to suit your taste. If you like spicy food, add a pinch of red pepper flakes. If you prefer a sweeter sauce, add a dash of sugar.

Tip 3: Don't Overwork the Meat

When it comes to making the meatballs, there is a common mistake that many people make - overworking the meat. When you overwork the meat, it can become tough and dry. To avoid this, mix the meat with your hands by gently kneading it until it just comes together. When forming the meatballs, avoid compacting them too tightly. Gently form them into balls that are slightly larger than a golf ball, but don't press or compact them. This will help the meatballs stay tender and juicy.

Tip 4: Cook the Meatballs First

The fourth tip is to cook the meatballs first before adding them to the sauce. This will help the meatballs hold their shape and prevent them from falling apart in the sauce. To cook the meatballs, simply heat up some oil in a large pan and cook the meatballs until they are browned on all sides. You don't need to cook the meatballs all the way through at this stage, as they will continue to cook in the sauce.

Tip 5: Use the Right Pasta Shape

The shape of the pasta that you use can make a big difference in the overall dish. Spaghetti is the classic choice, but there are many other shapes that work well, such as penne, fusilli, or rigatoni. The shape of the pasta should complement the sauce and the meatballs. If you're unsure which pasta shape to use, consider the sauce that you're using. A thinner sauce, such as a marinara sauce, pairs best with long, thin pasta, such as spaghetti or linguine. A thicker sauce, such as a Bolognese sauce, pairs better with a thicker pasta shape, such as rigatoni.

Tip 6: Salt Your Pasta Water

One of the most common mistakes when cooking pasta is forgetting to salt the water. Salted water adds flavor to the pasta and helps bring out the flavors of the sauce. When cooking pasta, add a generous pinch of salt to the water before bringing it to a boil.

Tip 7: Don't Overcook the Pasta

The final tip is to avoid overcooking the pasta. Overcooking can make the pasta mushy and bland, so it's important to watch the pasta carefully as it cooks. Start testing the pasta a few minutes before the cooking time indicated on the package. The pasta should be al dente, which means that it should be cooked but still firm to the bite.

Conclusion

Making amazing spaghetti and meatballs is all about paying attention to the details. Using high-quality ingredients, making your own sauce, not overworking the meat, cooking the meatballs first, using the right pasta shape, salting your pasta water, and not overcooking the pasta are all important factors in making a mouthwatering dish. With these tips, anyone can make a spaghetti and meatballs dish that rivals that of an Italian Nonna.