SPAGHETTI AND JUICY LUCY MEATBALLS

Spaghetti and Juicy Lucy Meatballs image

Provided by Molly Yeh

Time 1h40m

Yield 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 22

Ingredients

1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more for seasoning
3 tablespoons (40 grams) extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
1/2 large onion (5 1/2 ounces/160 grams), sliced
5 garlic cloves, chopped
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
One 28-ounce (794 grams) can whole plum or San Marzano tomatoes, crushed by hand
One 15-ounce (425 grams) can tomato sauce
1 pound (453 grams) spaghetti
1/4 cup (15 grams) fresh basil leaves, torn
1/2 cup (40 grams) grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
Meatballs (recipe follows)
1 pound (453 grams) 80/20 ground beef
1 pound (453 grams) hot Italian sausage, removed from casings
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
2 large eggs, beaten
1 cup (84 grams) plain dry breadcrumbs
1 cup (40 grams) grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 large onion (5 1/2 ounces/160 grams), grated on the coarse holes of a box grater
1/4 cup (15 grams) chopped fresh Italian parsley
2 garlic cloves, chopped
8 small mozzarella balls/ciliegine (about 15 grams each)

Steps:

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over medium-high heat.
For the sauce: Heat the olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the onion and season with salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until it begins to soften, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the garlic, dried oregano and crushed red pepper and cook until fragrant, 30 seconds to 1 minute. Add both types of canned tomatoes and 1 cup of water from the pasta pot. Bring to a boil and then reduce to a simmer until thickened and flavorful, 10 to 15 minutes.
Once the meatballs are browned and the sauce has thickened, nestle the meatballs into the sauce and spoon a little of the sauce over each meatball. Reduce the heat to a gentle simmer, cover and simmer while the pasta cooks, about 10 minutes.
Add the spaghetti to the boiling water and cook until al dente. Drain the spaghetti and place on a platter. Spoon some sauce onto the spaghetti and toss to coat. Nestle the cooked meatballs into the noodles. Top with desired amount of sauce, a drizzle of olive oil, the fresh basil and grated Parmesan cheese, for serving.
Place an oven rack in the middle position. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
Combine the beef and sausage in a large bowl and spread out the meat with a wooden spoon. Season with salt. Add the eggs, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, onion, parsley and garlic in a large bowl and mix well with your hands to combine. Divide into 8 equal balls. Use your thumb to hollow out the center of a ball so it resembles a bowl. Stick a mozzarella ball inside and press to seal the mozzarella inside the meat mixture. Roll into a ball and place on the baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining meat mixture and mozzarella.
Bake until the meatballs are well browned, 18 to 22 minutes. (They will cook more in the sauce).