Spaghetti with Meatballs Recipe
Spaghetti with meatballs – a classic Italian dish that warms the heart and fills the belly. This delicious comfort food has been around for centuries, and for good reason.
There’s nothing quite like a plate of perfectly cooked spaghetti, smothered in savory tomato sauce and topped with mouthwatering meatballs. But did you know that this dish almost didn’t exist?
Legend has it that a famous Italian chef invented spaghetti with meatballs to impress his picky eaters who refused to eat anything other than meat. And boy, did he succeed! Now, let’s delve into this simple yet flavorful recipe, so you too can impress your own picky eaters with this classic dish.
Spaghetti with Meatballs
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 egg
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 pound spaghetti
- 1 jar of tomato sauce
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, egg, salt, and black pepper. Mix well until all ingredients are well combined.
- Roll the meat mixture into small balls, about the size of a golf ball.
- Place the meatballs on a baking sheet and bake in the oven for 20-25 minutes, or until cooked through.
- While the meatballs are cooking, cook the spaghetti according to the package instructions.
- Heat the tomato sauce in a saucepan on medium heat.
- Once the meatballs are done cooking, add them to the saucepan with the tomato sauce and let them simmer together for a few minutes.
- Serve the spaghetti with the meatball sauce on top.
Notes
How to Make Sure Your Meatballs Are Perfectly Cooked?
One of the biggest challenges in making spaghetti with meatballs is ensuring that the meatballs are cooked all the way through without becoming dry or tough. The key is to avoid overcooking them in the oven, as this can lead to dryness.
To make sure your meatballs are perfectly cooked, start by preheating the oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Roll the meat mixture into small balls, about the size of a golf ball, and place them on the prepared baking sheet. Bake in the oven for 20-25 minutes, or until cooked through.
If you’re still not sure whether your meatballs are done, you can use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. It should read at least 160°F (71°C) for beef.
Remember, practice makes perfect! Don’t be afraid to experiment with different cooking times and temperatures until you find the sweet spot.
How to Make Meatballs Without Breadcrumbs?
If you’re looking for a gluten-free or low-carb option, you can still make delicious meatballs without breadcrumbs. Instead, you can use almond flour or coconut flour as a substitute.
To make meatballs without breadcrumbs, start by combining 1 pound of ground beef with 1 egg, 1/4 cup of almond flour, 1/4 cup of grated Parmesan cheese, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper. Mix well until all ingredients are well combined.
Roll the meat mixture into small balls, about the size of a golf ball, and bake in the oven for 20-25 minutes, or until cooked through. You can then serve the meatballs with your favorite sauce and spaghetti or other pasta.
How to Make Meatballs with a Secret Ingredient?
Do you want to impress your dinner guests with a secret ingredient in your meatballs? Try adding some finely chopped mushrooms to the meat mixture!
Mushrooms are a great addition to meatballs because they add moisture, flavor, and nutrition without adding extra fat or calories. To make meatballs with mushrooms: Start by finely chopping 1/2 cup of mushrooms and sautéing them in a pan. Add some olive oil until they are tender and browned. Let them cool.
In a bowl, combine ground beef, mushrooms, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, 1 egg, salt and pepper. Mix well until all ingredients are well combined.
Roll the meat mixture into small balls, about the size of a golf ball, and bake in the oven for 20-25 minutes, or until cooked through. Your guests will love the delicious and nutritious surprise in their meatballs!
How to simmer noodles
Simmering noodles is an important step in preparing pasta dishes, including spaghetti with meatballs. To simmer noodles, start by bringing a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Once the water is boiling, add the noodles and stir gently to prevent them from sticking together.
Reduce the heat to medium-high and let the noodles simmer for about 8-10 minutes or until they are cooked al dente, which means they are tender but still have a slight firmness to them.
Homemade Marinara Sauce
Spaghetti with meatballs is a classic Italian dish, but what really elevates it is a homemade marinara sauce. Making your own marinara sauce is easier than you might think and adds a depth of flavor to your spaghetti that canned sauces just can’t match.
All you need are some basic ingredients like fresh tomatoes, garlic, onions, and herbs to create a delicious sauce that complements the savory meatballs perfectly. With this homemade marinara sauce recipe, you’ll never go back to store-bought sauces again!
Spaghetti Carbonara in a min
Spaghetti Carbonara is a classic Italian dish that features spaghetti noodles tossed with a creamy egg and cheese sauce, crispy bacon, and black pepper. The result is a rich and indulgent pasta dish that is perfect for any occasion.
While many people may opt for the traditional meatball topping, adding carbonara to your spaghetti can provide a delicious twist on this classic dish.
The creaminess of the carbonara pairs perfectly with the chewy texture of the spaghetti noodles, making it a crowd-pleasing favorite for both family dinners and dinner parties alike.
Tips and Tricks for making Spaghetti with Meatballs
- Add a handful of fresh parsley to top it all off
- Use only fresh basil
- Mix in some bread crumbs
- Always have a side of garlic bread
- Spaghetti sauce can be substituted with marinara sauce
- Use Italian sausage or ground pork
- Crushed tomatoes are a good idea also
- Store leftovers in the fridge or freezer
- Some great spices and seasoning is crushed red pepper or oregano
- Add tomato paste to the mix
- Add just a pinch of Worcestershire sauce
- Mix in some Italian seasoning and fresh herbs to your homemade meatballs
- Cook on the stovetop instead of the oven
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Nutrition
Spaghetti with meatballs is a classic dish that can provide good nutrition if prepared with the right ingredients. A balanced combination of whole grain spaghetti, lean meatballs and tomato sauce can be a great source of protein, fiber, vitamins and minerals.
Choosing whole grain pasta over refined pasta provides a higher fiber content which helps in maintaining blood sugar levels and reducing the risk of heart disease. Lean meatballs made from turkey or chicken are lower in fat and calories compared to beef meatballs.
Tomato sauce adds antioxidants like lycopene and vitamin C which help in fighting cellular damage caused by free radicals. Overall, spaghetti with meatballs can be a delicious and nutritious meal option for any day of the week.
Can You Freeze Meatballs?
Yes, you can definitely freeze meatballs for later use! This is a great way to save time and effort when making spaghetti with meatballs. To freeze meatballs, simply let them cool down to room temperature and then transfer them to a freezer-safe container or bag. Label the container with the date and type of meatballs.
To reheat the frozen meatballs, you can either bake them in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 20-25 minutes or microwave them on high for 1-2 minutes. Make sure they are heated all the way through before serving.
Do Italians put meatballs on spaghetti?
Yes, Italians do put meatballs on spaghetti! this is not as common in Italy as it is in the United States and other countries. In fact, many Italians would consider the combination of meatballs and spaghetti to be more of an Italian-American dish than a traditional Italian one.
Conclusion
Meatballs are a delicious addition to any pasta dish, especially spaghetti. To make your meatballs stand out, try adding some finely chopped mushrooms to the mixture for extra flavor and nutrition.
And if you want to save time for future meals, freeze your meatballs and easily reheat them when needed. With these tips, you’ll be impressing your dinner guests with flavorful meatballs in no time!
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