Prepare to tantalize your taste buds with an unforgettable culinary journey as we unveil the secrets behind the Festive Spaghetti and Meatballs, a symphony of flavors that will elevate any celebration. From the aromatic meatballs simmered in a rich and flavorful tomato sauce to the perfectly al dente spaghetti, each bite promises a harmonious blend of textures and flavors.
In this comprehensive guide, we will embark on a step-by-step exploration of this classic Italian dish, ensuring that every element comes together seamlessly. From selecting the finest ingredients to mastering the art of crafting tender meatballs and a delectable sauce, we will leave no stone unturned.
Along the way, we will uncover the secrets to the perfect spaghetti, providing tips and techniques to achieve that elusive al dente texture. And for those who seek a vegetarian alternative, we have included a delightful meatless meatballs recipe, crafted with a blend of vegetables and herbs that delivers a satisfying and flavorful experience.
But the journey doesn't stop there. We will also venture into the realm of side dishes, offering a selection of tempting options that will complement the Spaghetti and Meatballs perfectly. From a refreshing green salad that adds a pop of vibrancy to a warm and comforting garlic bread that soaks up every last drop of sauce, you'll find the ideal pairings to complete your festive feast.
So gather your ingredients, prepare your taste buds, and let's embark on a culinary adventure that will leave you and your loved ones craving for more!
SPAGHETTI & MEATBALLS
This spaghetti and meatball recipe is easy enough for a busy weeknight -- and it's a family favorite, too!
Provided by Jennifer Segal
Categories Dinner
Time 50m
Yield 4 to 6 (Makes 22 to 24 small meatballs)
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and set an oven rack in the middle position.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the egg, basil, parsley, oregano, salt, pepper, garlic and water. Add the meat, breadcrumbs and cheese and mix until just combined (your hands are the best tool). Do not overwork it.
- Roll the mixture into golf ball-sized meatballs and place on an ungreased baking sheet. Bake for about 10 minutes, then remove the baking sheet from oven and use a metal spatula to turn the meatballs (they will stick a bit but should release easily when you scrape under them with the spatula). Put the meatballs back in the oven and cook for another 10 minutes, until they are nicely browned and almost cooked through.
- In the meantime, bring the marinara sauce to a simmer in a large skillet. Taste it and adjust the seasoning if necessary (I usually add a healthy pinch of sugar and some freshly ground black pepper). Transfer the browned meatballs to the marinara sauce, leaving the fat behind. Cover loosely with a lid or foil and simmer for about 10 minutes, until the flavors marry and the meatballs are cooked through. Keep warm until ready to toss with pasta.
- While the meatballs are cooking, bring a large pot of well-salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook until al dente. Drain, then toss with the sauce and meatballs (you may find it easier to toss everything together in the pasta pot rather than the skillet; it depends on the sizes of pans you are using.). Serve topped with fresh basil and more grated cheese.
- Freezer-Friendly Instructions: The cooked meatballs can be frozen, in their sauce, for up to 3 months. When ready to serve, defrost overnight in the refrigerator and reheat on the stovetop until the meatballs are hot in the center.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 731, Fat 29 g, Carbohydrate 78 g, Protein 37 g, SaturatedFat 10 g, Sugar 11 g, Fiber 6 g, Sodium 897 mg, Cholesterol 116 mg
BEST SPAGHETTI AND MEATBALLS
One evening, we had unexpected company. Since I had the ingredients on hand, I made this spaghetti and meatballs recipe. Everyone raved! This classic recipe makes a big batch and is perfect for entertaining. -Mary Lou Koskella, Prescott, Arizona
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Dinner
Time 2h30m
Yield 16 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 21
Steps:
- In a Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onions; saute until softened. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Stir in tomato paste; cook 3-5 minutes. Add next 6 ingredients. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, covered, for 50 minutes., Combine the first 7 meatball ingredients. Add beef; mix lightly but thoroughly. Shape into 1-1/2-in. balls., In a large skillet, heat canola oil over medium heat. Add meatballs; brown in batches until no longer pink. Drain. Add to sauce; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, covered, until flavors are blended, about 1 hour, stirring occasionally. Serve with hot cooked spaghetti.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 519 calories, Fat 18g fat (6g saturated fat), Cholesterol 106mg cholesterol, Sodium 1043mg sodium, Carbohydrate 59g carbohydrate (8g sugars, Fiber 4g fiber), Protein 30g protein.
REAL MEATBALLS AND SPAGHETTI
For homemade Italian comfort, make Ina Garten's Real Meatballs and Spaghetti recipe from Barefoot Contessa on Food Network, starring veal, pork and beef.
Provided by Ina Garten
Categories main-dish
Time 2h
Yield 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 23
Steps:
- Place the ground meats, both bread crumbs, parsley, Parmesan, salt, pepper, nutmeg, egg, and 3/4 cup warm water in a bowl. Combine very lightly with a fork. Using your hands, lightly form the mixture into 2-inch meatballs. You will have 14 to 16 meatballs.
- Pour equal amounts of vegetable oil and olive oil into a large (12-inch) skillet to a depth of 1/4-inch. Heat the oil. Very carefully, in batches, place the meatballs in the oil and brown them well on all sides over medium-low heat, turning carefully with a spatula or a fork. This should take about 10 minutes for each batch. Don't crowd the meatballs. Remove the meatballs to a plate covered with paper towels. Discard the oil but don't clean the pan.
- For the sauce, heat the olive oil in the same pan. Add the onion and saute over medium heat until translucent, 5 to 10 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for 1 more minute. Add the wine and cook on high heat, scraping up all the brown bits in the pan, until almost all the liquid evaporates, about 3 minutes. Stir in the tomatoes, parsley, salt, and pepper.
- Return the meatballs to the sauce, cover, and simmer on the lowest heat for 25 to 30 minutes, until the meatballs are cooked through. Serve hot on cooked spaghetti and pass the grated Parmesan.
SPAGHETTI AND MEATBALLS
For a bowl of Italian comfort, make Rachael Ray's Spaghetti and Meatballs recipe from 30 Minute Meals on Food Network.
Provided by Rachael Ray : Food Network
Categories main-dish
Time 35m
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 19
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
- Place a large pot of water on to boil for spaghetti. When it boils, add salt and pasta and cook to al dente.
- Mix beef and Worcestershire, egg, bread crumbs, cheese, garlic, salt and pepper. Roll meat into 1 1/2 inch medium-sized meatballs and place on nonstick cookie sheet or a cookie sheet greased with extra-virgin olive oil. Bake balls 10 to 12 minutes, until no longer pink.
- Heat a deep skillet or medium pot over moderate heat. Add oil, crushed pepper, garlic and finely chopped onion. Saute 5 to 7 minutes, until onion bits are soft. Add beef stock, crushed tomatoes, and herbs. Bring to a simmer and cook for about 10 minutes.
- Toss hot, drained pasta with a few ladles of the sauce and grated cheese. Turn meatballs in remaining sauce. Place pasta on dinner plates and top with meatballs and sauce and extra grated cheese. Serve with bread or garlic bread (and some good chianti!)
OUR FAVORITE SPAGHETTI AND MEATBALLS
Our ultimate version of everyone's favorite family-night dinner has a super tender and robust meat mixture, slow-simmered and flavorful sauce, and tons of cheese.
Provided by Rhoda Boone
Categories Beef Pasta Pork Kid-Friendly Dinner Veal Back to School Peanut Free Tree Nut Free Soy Free Frankenrecipe Small Plates
Yield Serves 6
Number Of Ingredients 27
Steps:
- Make the tomato sauce:
- Heat a large, wide pot over medium-low and add oil and garlic. Cook, stirring occasionally, until garlic is golden brown on all sides (if it starts to burn, reduce heat), 8-10 minutes. While garlic cooks, break up tomatoes into smaller pieces with a paring knife or kitchen shears. When garlic is almost ready, add red pepper flakes and cook, stirring occasionally, until toasted and fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add tomatoes, bay leaves, salt, oregano, and pepper and stir, breaking up tomatoes with a wooden spoon, until well combined.
- Increase heat slightly and gently simmer, stirring occasionally, until sauce has thickened and flavors have concentrated, at least 2 hours and up to 3 hours.
- Meanwhile, make the meatballs:
- Place bread in a medium bowl, add milk, and let rest until moistened, about 5 minutes. Squeeze bread with your hands to remove excess milk, discarding milk. Tear bread into smaller, pea-size pieces and return to the medium bowl.
- Combine beef, pork, veal, eggs, garlic, 1 cup Parmesan, 1/2 cup parsley, 1 tsp. salt, oregano, pepper, fennel, and red pepper flakes in a large bowl. Using your hands, gently mix in bread until ingredients are evenly distributed (do not overmix).
- Fill a small bowl with cool water. Moisten your hands and roll meat mixture between palms into golf-ball-sized balls, occasionally moistening hands as needed. Place meatballs on a rimmed baking sheet-you should have about 24-and chill until sauce is ready.
- Finish the sauce and cook the meatballs and pasta:
- After 2-3 hours of simmering, pluck out bay leaves and add basil. Using an immersion blender (or transfer sauce to a food processor or blender, working in batches, if necessary), purée until slightly chunky but not smooth. Reserve 1 1/2 cups sauce; keep remaining sauce in pot warm over very low heat.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high and add oil. Once hot, add meatballs to skillet (without crowding) and work in batches to brown on all sides, turning frequently, about 5 minutes per batch. Return meatballs to baking sheet as you brown them.
- Once all meatballs are browned, add them to pot with tomato sauce. If your pot is not large enough, divide sauce and meatballs between 2 pots. Increase heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until meatballs are cooked through, 10-15 minutes.
- Meanwhile, cook spaghetti in a large pot of boiling salted water, stirring occasionally, until al dente. Drain, reserving 1 cup pasta cooking liquid, and return pasta to pot over medium-low heat. Spoon reserved 1 1/2 cups sauce over pasta and toss to coat. Add pasta cooking liquid, 1/4 cup at a time, as needed to loosen sauce and coat pasta.
- Divide pasta among plates and top with meatballs and remaining sauce. Sprinkle with remaining 1/4 cup Parmesan and 1/4 cup parsley.
- Do Ahead
- Sauce can be made, cooled, and refrigerated for up to 5 days or frozen for up to 3 months. Meatballs can be shaped and refrigerated 1 day in advance. Meatballs can be cooked in sauce, cooled, and refrigerated for up to 5 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
SPAGHETTI AND MEATBALLS FOR TWO
Pasta and meatballs in tomato sauce twirl together onto a fork and then dance with your taste buds. All the elements work in concert: The spaghetti is slightly firm in contrast to the tender meatballs, made with beef and pork, and crushed red pepper flakes add fire and spice to the familiar sauce.
Provided by Martha Stewart
Categories Food & Cooking Ingredients Meat & Poultry Beef Recipes Ground Beef Recipes
Number Of Ingredients 17
Steps:
- Heat 1 tablespoon oil, the red-pepper flakes, and 1/2 teaspoon garlic in a large saucepan over medium heat until garlic is sizzling, about 30 seconds. Stir in tomatoes and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Reduce heat to low; simmer 30 minutes.
- Heat milk in a saucepan over low heat until warm; remove from heat. Add bread; turn bread until milk is absorbed.
- When cool enough to handle, squeeze out excess milk. Finely chop bread; place in a large bowl. Discard milk. Add meats, cheeses, egg, parsley, 1/2 teaspoon salt, the pepper, marjoram, remaining 1 teaspoon oil and 1/2 teaspoon garlic, and the shallot. Using your hands, mix until just combined. Moisten hands, and roll meat mixture into balls of different sizes: nine 1-inch balls, six 1 1/2-inch balls, and two 2-inch balls. Place on a baking sheet.
- Add 2-inch meatballs to simmering sauce. After 5 minutes, add 1 1/2-inch balls. After 5 minutes, add 1-inch balls. Stir.
- Meanwhile, bring a large stockpot of water to a boil; add salt. Add pasta; cook until al dente, about 8 minutes. Drain; return pasta to pot. Add 1/4 cup sauce; toss. Serve pasta in bowls with meatballs and extra sauce, and cheese on the side.
Tips:
- Use high-quality ingredients. The better the ingredients, the better the meatballs will be. Look for fresh, lean ground beef and sweet Italian sausage.
- Season the meatballs well. Use a generous amount of garlic, onion, parsley, and oregano. You can also add a touch of chili flakes for a little heat.
- Cook the meatballs slowly. This will help them stay moist and tender. Simmer them in tomato sauce for at least 30 minutes, or until they are cooked through.
- Serve the meatballs with your favorite pasta. Spaghetti is a classic choice, but you can also use fettuccine, penne, or any other type of pasta you like.
- Garnish the meatballs with fresh parsley or grated Parmesan cheese. This will add a pop of color and flavor.
Conclusion:
This festive spaghetti and meatballs recipe is a delicious and easy-to-make meal that is perfect for any occasion. The meatballs are tender and flavorful, and the tomato sauce is rich and savory. Serve it with your favorite pasta and a side of garlic bread, and you have a meal that everyone will love.
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