Classic Spaghetti and Meatballs

Classic Spaghetti and Meatballs

Ingredients
For the Meatballs

  • ? cup Italian-seasoned bread crumbs
  • 2 Tbsp milk
  • 1 Tbsp olive oil
  • � medium white onion, finely diced
  • 8 oz. ground beef
  • 8 oz. ground pork
  • 1 large egg, lightly beaten
  • 2 Tbsp fresh Italian parsley, minced
  • 1 tsp garlic, minced
  • � tsp salt
  • � tsp black pepper
  • � tsp dried oregano
  • � tsp red pepper flakes
  • 2 Tbsp Parmesan cheese, grated
  • 1 (16-oz.) box spaghetti

For the Sauce

  • 2 Tbsp olive oil
  • 1 medium white onion, diced
  • 2 tsp garlic, minced
  • 1 (28-oz.) can crushed tomatoes
  • 1� Tbsp fresh parsley, minced
  • � tsp salt
  • � tsp black pepper
  • {optional garnish} additional fresh parsley, minced
  • {optional garnish} Parmesan cheese, grated

Instructions
For the Meatballs

  1. Preheat oven to 400�F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper; set aside.
  2. Using a medium bowl, combine the bread crumbs and milk; let soak for 5 minutes.
  3. Meanwhile, add the olive oil to a medium frying pan and place over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the diced onions and cook for 6-7 minutes, or until onions begin to soften.
  4. Transfer onions and soaked bread crumbs into a large mixing bowl. Add all of the remaining meatball ingredients (beef, pork, egg, parsley, garlic, salt, pepper, oregano, red pepper and Parmesan cheese). Mix until just combined. (Tip: Take care not to overmix or the meatball may be tough.)
  5. Shape mixture into 1�� balls and place meatballs 1� apart on prepared baking sheet.
  6. Bake for 18-22 minutes, or until meatballs are no longer pink in the center.
  7. While the meatballs are baking, cook spaghetti according to package instructions. Drain and toss with a bit of milk to keep pasta from sticking together; set spaghetti aside.

For the Sauce

  1. Using a medium saucepan, add olive oil and place over medium-high heat. Once hot, add onions and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  2. Add the garlic, crushed tomatoes, parsley, salt and pepper. Reduce heat to medium-low and continue cooking for 20 more minutes, stirring occasionally.
  3. To serve, divide the spaghetti onto plates and top with meatballs and sauce.
  4. {Optional} Garnish with additional fresh parsley and grated Parmesan cheese before serving.

Notes
As the meatball recipe calls for a mix of ground beef and ground pork (and both are often sold in 16-oz. packages), I often just double the meatball recipe and then freeze the extra meatballs once they�re baked. Then just toss the frozen meatballs into a saucepan of sauce and let �em simmer until hot. That makes for a very quick and very easy dinner on a busy weeknight!

Source : https://spicedblog.com/classic-spaghetti-and-meatballs.html