Indulge in the delectable flavors of Spaghetti and Meatballs, a classic Italian-American dish that tantalizes taste buds with its hearty meatballs smothered in a rich and flavorful tomato sauce, all nestled atop a bed of perfectly cooked spaghetti. This beloved dish is a symphony of textures and flavors, with the tender meatballs providing a succulent contrast to the al dente spaghetti and the tangy, aromatic tomato sauce bringing it all together. In this comprehensive guide, we present a collection of meticulously crafted recipes that will elevate your Spaghetti and Meatballs experience to new heights. From the classic beef and pork meatballs to vegetarian and vegan variations, and from traditional tomato sauce to unique and flavorful alternatives, these recipes cater to every palate and preference. Get ready to embark on a culinary journey that will leave you and your loved ones craving for more.
Let's cook with our recipes!
THE BEST SPAGHETTI AND MEATBALLS
Who knew that the same technique for shredding pulled pork with two forks will also work for meatballs? In this case, the method ensures that your ingredients are thoroughly mixed yet not compressed, so the resulting meatballs are tender and light. After browning the meatballs, we finish them in a hearty tomato sauce. The meatballs flavor the sauce as they finish cooking.
Provided by Food Network Kitchen
Categories main-dish
Time 1h15m
Yield 4 to 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 19
Steps:
- Whisk together the panko, Parmesan, parsley, fennel seeds, 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes, 1 1/2 teaspoons of the oregano, 1 tablespoon salt and 1 teaspoon black pepper in a medium bowl until combined. Stir in the cream.
- Combine the beef, pork and veal in a large bowl. Pull the ground meat apart with two forks as if you were shredding pulled pork, breaking up the clumps and incorporating the meat without compacting it until thoroughly mixed and no clumps remain. Add the panko mixture to the meat and use the same pulling technique to mix until all the ingredients are evenly incorporated.
- Lightly oil your hands. Scoop out portions of the meat mixture with a 1/4-cup measuring cup or large ice cream scoop; roll the meat gently between your hands into balls. Arrange the balls on a rimmed baking sheet.
- Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add half the meatballs and cook, turning and rolling occasionally, until they are browned on all sides, about 5 minutes total; remove to a plate. The meatballs will not be cooked through; they will finish cooking in the sauce. Repeat with the remaining meatballs.
- Reduce the heat to medium, add the onion and garlic and season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion is tender, 6 to 8 minutes. Add the tomato paste, the remaining 1/2 teaspoon oregano and a pinch of red pepper flakes. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the tomato paste is brick red, about 1 minute. Stir in the wine, scraping any browned bits from the bottom of the pan, and cook until the liquid is almost completely evaporated, about 3 minutes.
- Add the tomatoes and basil to the sauce, smashing and breaking up the tomatoes into bite-size pieces with a wooden spoon. Bring the sauce just to a boil, and then add the meatballs with any accumulated juices. Cover the pan, reduce the heat to low and simmer until the meatballs are cooked through, about 30 minutes.
- Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Cook the spaghetti according to the package directions. Drain well.
- Transfer the meatballs to a plate. Discard the basil and season with salt.
- Add the pasta to the sauce. Gently stir until the sauce coats the pasta. Transfer the spaghetti to a serving platter and top with the meatballs. Sprinkle with Parmesan before serving.
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.
ITALIAN SPAGHETTI SAUCE WITH MEATBALLS
This is a recipe I got from my mother years ago -- it's great.
Provided by Jeremy
Categories Side Dish Sauces and Condiments Recipes Sauce Recipes Pasta Sauce Recipes Tomato
Time 2h20m
Yield 6
Number Of Ingredients 17
Steps:
- In a large bowl, combine ground beef, bread crumbs, parsley, Parmesan, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, garlic powder and beaten egg. Mix well and form into 12 balls. Store, covered, in refrigerator until needed.
- In a large saucepan over medium heat, saute onion and garlic in olive oil until onion is translucent. Stir in tomatoes, salt, sugar and bay leaf. Cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer 90 minutes. Stir in tomato paste, basil, 1/2 teaspoon pepper and meatballs and simmer 30 minutes more. Serve.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 346.6 calories, Carbohydrate 23 g, Cholesterol 77.4 mg, Fat 21.2 g, Fiber 4.5 g, Protein 18.9 g, SaturatedFat 5.9 g, Sodium 1492.5 mg, Sugar 11.1 g
Tips:
- Choose the right pasta: Spaghetti is the classic choice for meatballs, but you can also use other long or short pasta shapes like penne, rigatoni, or ziti.
- Use high-quality ground beef: The quality of the meat will make a big difference in the flavor of the meatballs. Look for ground beef that is at least 80% lean.
- Season the meatballs well: Don't be afraid to use plenty of herbs and spices in your meatballs. Italian seasoning, garlic, onion, and Parmesan cheese are all great additions.
- Brown the meatballs thoroughly: This will help to develop flavor and prevent the meatballs from falling apart.
- Simmer the meatballs in a flavorful sauce: The sauce is what will really bring your spaghetti and meatballs together. Use a tomato sauce that is rich and flavorful, and let the meatballs simmer in it for at least 30 minutes.
- Serve with plenty of Parmesan cheese: Parmesan cheese is the perfect finishing touch for spaghetti and meatballs. Serve it grated on top of the pasta.
Conclusion:
Spaghetti and meatballs is a classic Italian dish that is loved by people of all ages. It's a hearty, flavorful meal that's perfect for a family dinner or a special occasion. With a little planning and effort, you can easily make spaghetti and meatballs at home that is just as good as what you would get at a restaurant. So next time you're in the mood for a delicious and satisfying Italian meal, give this recipe a try. You won't be disappointed!
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