HOMEMADE SPAGHETTI AND MEATBALLS

Homemade Spaghetti and Meatballs image

I have been making this spaghetti recipe, from a dear family friend, for over 25 years. It is by far the best homemade sauce and meatballs we have ever had. I've also just fried the beef and added it to the sauce, then used it to make lasagna.

Provided by Lynn1964

Categories World Cuisine Recipes European Italian

Time 3h15m

Yield 10

Number Of Ingredients 18

Ingredients

1 (29 ounce) can whole peeled tomatoes
19 fluid ounces tomato juice
1 (5.5 ounce) can tomato paste
1 large onion, chopped
2 tablespoons dried parsley
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, or to taste
½ teaspoon ground black pepper
¼ teaspoon dried thyme
¼ teaspoon ground cloves
1 ½ pounds lean ground beef
16 soda crackers, crushed
2 eggs, beaten
3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
1 large clove garlic, crushed
1 tablespoon dried parsley
⅛ teaspoon dried thyme
1 (16 ounce) package spaghetti

Steps:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
Combine tomatoes, tomato juice, tomato paste, onion, parsley, salt, red pepper flakes, black pepper, thyme, and cloves in a large pot. Bring to a boil over high heat; reduce heat to low and let simmer for 1 to 1 1/2 hours.
Meanwhile, combine beef, crackers, eggs, Parmesan cheese, garlic, parsley, and thyme in a bowl. Form into large meatballs and place into a broiler pan.
Bake in the preheated oven until browned and no longer pink in the centers, about 30 minutes.
Transfer meatballs to sauce and continue to simmer, 2 to 2 1/2 hours more.
Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook spaghetti in the boiling water, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, about 12 minutes. Drain.
Serve sauce and meatballs over cooked spaghetti.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 384 calories, Carbohydrate 47.6 g, Cholesterol 85.9 mg, Fat 11.2 g, Fiber 3.8 g, Protein 23.4 g, SaturatedFat 4.1 g, Sodium 759.2 mg, Sugar 7.8 g