A comforting dish that brings warmth to your kitchen and a smile to your family's faces, featuring homemade spaghetti sauce and authentic Italian meatballs.
Ingredients
Scale:
1 pound Ground beef (80% lean)
1 cup Breadcrumbs (preferably Italian)
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
2 cloves Garlic, minced
1/4 cup Fresh parsley, chopped
1 large Egg
1 teaspoon Salt
1/2 teaspoon Pepper
2 tablespoons Olive oil
28 ounces Canned crushed tomatoes
2 tablespoons Tomato paste
2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
1/4 cup Fresh basil, chopped
12 ounces Spaghetti
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). This will allow the meatballs to cook evenly and develop a nice golden crust.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, minced garlic, parsley, egg, salt, and pepper. Mix until just combined; don’t overmix, as this can make the meatballs tough.
Form the mixture into meatballs, about 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter. Place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Bake the meatballs in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until they are browned and cooked through.
While the meatballs are baking, prepare the homemade spaghetti sauce. In a large pot over medium heat, add olive oil. Once hot, add the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, and basil. Stir well to combine.
Let the sauce simmer for about 15-20 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together. You can adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper to your taste.
Cook the spaghetti according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta, reserving a little pasta water to help loosen the sauce if needed.
Once the meatballs are done, add them to the sauce, gently stirring to coat them. Allow them to simmer in the sauce for an additional 5 minutes.
Serve the spaghetti topped with the meatballs and sauce. Garnish with additional Parmesan and fresh basil if desired.
