Spaghetti And Meatballs

Ingredients:

For the Meatballs:

• 1 pound (450g) ground beef
• 1/2 pound (225g) ground pork (or you can use all beef)
• 1/2 cup fresh breadcrumbs
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1/4 cup finely chopped onion
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 large egg
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/4 teaspoon dried basil

For the Tomato Sauce:

• 1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes
• 1 can (14 ounces) diced tomatoes
• 1/4 cup tomato paste
• 1/4 cup red wine (optional)
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and black pepper, to taste

For the Spaghetti:

• 12 ounces (340g) spaghetti
• Salt (for boiling pasta)

Instructions:

For the Meatballs:

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, ground pork, fresh breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, chopped fresh parsley, milk, chopped onion, minced garlic, egg, salt, black pepper, dried oregano, and dried basil.
2. Use your hands to gently mix the ingredients until they are well combined, but avoid overmixing, which can make the meatballs tough.
3. Shape the mixture into meatballs, typically about 1.5 inches (4 cm) in diameter. You can make them larger or smaller depending on your preference.
4. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add a little olive oil, and once it’s hot, add the meatballs. Cook until they are browned on all sides and cooked through, about 10-15 minutes.

For the Tomato Sauce:

5. In a separate large pot, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and sauté for about 2-3 minutes, or until it’s translucent.
6. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
7. Pour in the crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, and tomato paste. If using, add the red wine.
8. Season the sauce with salt and black pepper to taste.
9. Add the chopped fresh basil and parsley to the sauce.
10. Let the sauce simmer over low heat for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. This allows the flavors to meld.

For the Spaghetti:

11. While the sauce is simmering, bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add salt, and then cook the spaghetti according to the package instructions until it’s al dente.
12. Drain the cooked spaghetti.

Assemble and Serve:

13. Combine the cooked spaghetti with the tomato sauce, ensuring it’s well coated.
14. Place the cooked meatballs on top of the spaghetti, or you can mix them into the sauce.
15. Serve your classic spaghetti and meatballs with grated Parmesan cheese and additional chopped fresh herbs if desired.

Enjoy your homemade spaghetti and meatballs! It’s a comforting and flavorful dish that’s perfect for a family dinner.