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Spaghetti and Meatballs

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Spaghetti and Meatballs is a comforting, hearty dish featuring tender meatballs in a rich, flavorful tomato sauce, served over perfectly cooked spaghetti. A classic Italian-American favorite that brings family and friends together around the table.

Ingredients

3 (28-ounce) cans whole stewed tomatoes

2 (28-ounce) cans tomato sauce

3 large white onions, halved

1 cup (2 sticks) salted butter

2 pounds 80/20 ground beef

3 large eggs

1 cup Italian-style breadcrumbs

3/4 cup finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves, plus more for serving

1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving

6 garlic cloves, minced

1 tablespoon kosher salt

1 1/2 teaspoons freshly cracked black pepper

2 pounds cooked spaghetti, for serving

Instructions

  1. For the Sauce:
    In a large pot or Dutch oven, add the whole stewed tomatoes, tomato sauce, and halved onions. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook for 1 hour, stirring occasionally. Discard the onions and stir in butter. Let the sauce simmer for another 30 minutes.
  2. For the Meatballs:
    Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). In a large bowl, mix together ground beef, eggs, breadcrumbs, parsley, Parmesan, garlic, salt, and pepper. Shape into 1 ½-inch meatballs and place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 20-25 minutes until cooked through and browned. Add meatballs to the simmering sauce and cook for an additional 30 minutes.
  3. For Serving:
    While the meatballs cook, cook spaghetti according to package instructions. Drain and set aside. Serve the meatballs and sauce over the cooked spaghetti. Garnish with fresh parsley and grated Parmesan.

Notes

For a lighter version, use lean ground turkey instead of beef.

Try adding vegetables to the sauce, like bell peppers or mushrooms, for added flavor.

For a spicier dish, add red pepper flakes to the sauce or meatball mixture.

If you don’t have Parmesan, try Pecorino Romano or another hard cheese.

This dish pairs perfectly with a side of garlic bread or a simple green salad.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://familydinnercooking.com/spaghetti-and-meatballs/