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Spaghetti with Meatballs
Who can resist a warm and delicious plate of Spaghetti with Meatballs? This classic dish has been enjoyed for ages, and once you take your first bite, you’ll realize there is a good reason it’s one of the top ten comfort foods in the world.
Spaghetti with meatballs were popularized by Italian immigrants in America. Interestingly, the idea of meatballs is not exclusive to Italy. The origin of meatballs can be traced back to Ancient Persia, where they were referred to as Kofta. The Swedes created their own version, known as köttbullar. A perfect plate of Spaghetti with meatballs starts with good-quality pasta cooked al dente, a well-seasoned tomato sauce with the right combination of spices and herbs, and meatballs bound with breadcrumbs.
Ingredients
Mince Beef, Breadcrumbs, Egg, Red onion, Diced Tomatoes, Worcestershire sauce, Garlic powder, Paprika Powder, Salt, Ginger Powder, Cumin Powder, Black Pepper, Dried Oregano.
To make delicious meatballs, start with high-quality minced meat. Adding a splash of milk can keep your meatballs moist on the inside. If you don’t have breadcrumbs, you can substitute a slice of bread. Soak the bread in milk, then squeeze out the excess liquid with your hands. This method works as a binding ingredient. Spices such as Worcestershire sauce, as well as the listed spices add a ton of flavour to the meatballs.
Instruction
Chop the onion and garlic, and divide them into two portions. Add two-thirds of the onion to a bowl. Exclude 1/3 of the onion for the tomato sauce. Add the eggs, chopped parsley, and spices to the bowl. Add the minced meat to a bowl, along with the breadcrumbs. Mix well. Shape into meatballs.
Heat some cooking oil in a pan. Add one-third of the chopped onion and garlic, and caramelize until browned, about 4 to 5 minutes. Next, add your meatballs to the pan and fry them. The meatballs need space to brown properly. It will take approximately three to five minutes for the meatballs to brown on each side.
Remove the meatballs from the pan and set them aside. Next, add a can of diced tomatoes to the pan and lightly season with salt, pepper, and Worcestershire sauce. To reduce acidity, you can also add a pinch of sugar. Alternatively, you could use a jar of pre-made marinara sauce or basil pesto, which will significantly reduce your cooking time. If you choose to use a store-bought sauce, be sure to taste it before adding any additional salt, sugar, or spices to check the overall flavor.
After a few minutes, return the cooked meatballs to the pan. Allow the meatballs to simmer in the sauce. Cook the pasta for 9 minutes, until it is al dente. Remember to reserve some pasta water to mix into the sauce with the spaghetti. Add the spaghetti directly to the pan and mix thoroughly. Gradually add a tablespoon of pasta water at a time. Once the sauce has a glossy, smooth appearance, it is ready. Allowing the spaghetti to meld with the meatballs and sauce will result in a more flavorful dish.
What to Serve with Spaghetti with Meatballs?
You can serve meatballs and spaghetti with garlic bread for a classic pairing. A vegetarian Caesar salad would also be a tasty alternative. Additionally, Roasted cauliflower makes for a delicious side dish that complements the meal well. Enjoy!
How to Store Spaghetti and Meatballs?
Store the Spaghetti and Meatballs in the fridge. It will last for three to four days. Freezing meatballs is also possible and works well, especially, if you’re planning on making a huge quantity of meatballs with sauce, consider storing it separately from the Spaghetti and Sauce.
Ingredients
- 500 grams Beef mince
- 1/2 cup Breadcrumbs
- 2 Egg
Marinara Sauce
- 400 grams Diced Tomatoes Polpa
- 1/2 Onion
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire Sauce
- 1 tbsp Chopped parsley
Spices
- 1 tbsp Garlic Powder
- 1 tsp Paprika Powder
- 1 tsp Salt
- 1 tsp Ginger Powder
- 1 tsp Cumin
- 1 tsp Black Pepper Powder
- 1 tsp Oregano
Instructions
- Prepare Meatballs: First start by slicing up the onion. Add 1/3rd of the sliced onions to a bowl, add mince meat, breadcrumbs, eggs and spices. Mix until the ingredients are incorporated. Once cool, shape into meatballs, place on a plate and set aside.
- Cook the Meatballs and Sauce: Heat olive oil on medium heat. Add 2/3 of the sliced onions and garlic. Caramelize the onion and garlic. Add the meatballs, cook until brown. It will take about three to four minutes to brown per side of the meatball. And then add the diced tomatoes into the pot. Add Worcestershire sauce and chopped parsley. Season with Salt and Pepper. Gently simmer and then reduce the heat to low. Add 1/4 cup of water and let the sauce cook for 15 to 20 minutes.
- Prepare pasta: Add meatballs to sauce. Let it simmer for five minutes. Serve meatballs and sauce over pasta. Garnish with parsley.
Notes
If your meatballs are falling apart, it might be due to the humidity in your area. To help with this, refrigerate the ground meat for 30 minutes before shaping and cooking the meatballs. You can also prepare the cooked meatballs ahead of time, which is helpful when you have many guests.
Nutrition
Calories: 443kcal | Carbohydrates: 18g | Protein: 28g | Fat: 28g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 12g | Trans Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 172mg | Sodium: 502mg | Potassium: 700mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 256IU | Vitamin C: 11mg | Calcium: 115mg | Iron: 5mg
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