Imagine a cozy evening at home with the aroma of rich marinara sauce simmering away, drawing your loved ones to the kitchen. Spaghetti and meatballs is the ultimate heartwarming dish, perfect for a family meal that promises to bring everyone together.
Ingredients
- White bread โ 3 slices
- Cold water โ 160 ml (2/3 cup)
- Ground beef โ 450 g (1 pound)
- Sweet ground Italian sausage โ 450 g (1 pound), casings removed
- Egg โ 1 large
- Garlic cloves โ 8, minced
- Salt โ 1 teaspoon
- Black pepper โ 1/2 teaspoon
- Grated Parmesan cheese โ 1/4 cup
- Flour โ for dusting
- Olive oil โ 3 tablespoons
- Diced onions โ 1 cup
- Crushed tomatoes โ 56 ounces (two 28-ounce cans)
- Bay leaves โ 2
- Spaghetti โ 450 g (1 pound)
- Fresh basil โ 2 tablespoons, chopped
- Additional Parmesan cheese โ to taste
Steps to Culinary Bliss
- Prepare the Bread Mixture
Remove the crust from the white bread and dice it finely. Place in a large mixing bowl and pour in the cold water. Let it soak for about five minutes, then mash with a fork until smooth. - Make the Meat Mixture
Add the ground beef, Italian sausage, egg, four garlic cloves, salt, pepper, and Parmesan to the bread mix. Use your hands to combine everything well. Form about 22 1.5โinch meatballs and dust them lightly with flour. - Sautรฉ the Meatballs
Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add half the meatballs without overcrowding, browning them for about two minutes per side. Repeat with the remaining batch. Remove all meatballs and set aside. - Create the Marinara Sauce
In the same pot, add onions and sautรฉ until soft, about five minutes. Add the remaining garlic and stir for another minute. Pour in the crushed tomatoes and add the bay leaves. Bring to a light boil, then add the meatballs back into the pot. - Simmer and Cook the Pasta
Partially cover the pot and let it simmer for 30 minutes. Meanwhile, cook the spaghetti in salted water according to package instructions. Drain just before the sauce is finished. - Finish and Serve
Add chopped basil to the sauce, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Combine the cooked spaghetti with the sauce, tossing until well coated. Serve in a large bowl, garnishing with more basil and plenty of Parmesan for that classic finishing touch.
This recipe comes together with tantalizing aromas and delectable flavors, making it a dinner to remember and relish. The magic lies in the mix of ground beef and sausage, resulting in incredibly tender meatballs. Serve it up and watch smiles spread around your table.
