ITALIAN SPAGHETTI AND MEATBALLS

Italian Spaghetti and Meatballs image

This authentic Italian recipe was given to me by my cousin's wife, who is from Italy. It's so hearty and satisfying, everyone's eyes light up when I tell my family that we're having this for supper! -Etta Winter, Pavillion, New York

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories Dinner

Time 2h

Yield 6 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 17

Ingredients

2 cans (28 ounces each) diced tomatoes, undrained
1 can (12 ounces) tomato paste
1-1/2 cups water, divided
3 tablespoons grated onion
1 tablespoon sugar
1-1/2 teaspoons dried oregano
1 bay leaf
1-1/4 teaspoons salt, divided
1 teaspoon minced garlic, divided
3/4 teaspoon pepper, divided
6 slices day-old bread, torn into pieces
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley
1 pound ground beef
Hot cooked spaghetti
Additional Parmesan cheese, optional

Steps:

In a Dutch oven, combine the tomatoes, tomato paste, 1 cup water, onion, sugar, oregano, bay leaf and 1/2 teaspoon each of salt, garlic and pepper. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, for 1-1/4 hours., Meanwhile, soak bread in remaining water. Squeeze out excess moisture. In a large bowl, combine the bread, eggs, Parmesan cheese, parsley and remaining salt, garlic and pepper. Crumble beef over mixture and mix well. Shape into thirty-six 1-1/2-in. meatballs. , Preheat oven to 400°. Place meatballs on a rack in a shallow baking pan. Bake, uncovered, until no longer pink, 20 minutes; drain. Transfer to spaghetti sauce. Simmer, uncovered, until heated through, stirring occasionally. Discard bay leaf. Serve with spaghetti; if desired, top with additional Parmesan.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 373 calories, Fat 13g fat (5g saturated fat), Cholesterol 123mg cholesterol, Sodium 1201mg sodium, Carbohydrate 39g carbohydrate (17g sugars, Fiber 7g fiber), Protein 26g protein.