Spaghetti and Meatballs
- 1 serving
- 20 min. to prep
- 30 min. to cook
- 731 cal | 37g p. | 78g c. | 19g f.
Ingedients
Main Ingredients
- 1/6 large egg
- 0.5 tablespoons finely chopped fresh basil (plus more for serving)
- 0.5 tablespoons finely chopped fresh parsley
- 1/6 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1/24 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1/3 clove garlic, minced
- 10 ml water
- 113 g ground “meatloaf mix” (approximately equal parts ground beef, pork, and veal)
- 14 g dried Italian style bread crumbs (such as Progresso)
- 8.3 g freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese (plus more for serving)
- 151 g good quality Marinara sauce (such as Rao’s)
- 75.5 g spaghetti
Directions
Spaghetti and Meatballs (1 Serving)
- Preheat the oven to 175°C and set an oven rack in the middle position.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the egg, basil, parsley, oregano, salt, pepper, garlic, and water. Add the meat, breadcrumbs, and cheese and mix until just combined (your hands are the best tool). Do not overwork it.
- Roll the mixture into golf ball-sized meatballs and place on an ungreased baking sheet. Bake for about 10 minutes, then remove the baking sheet from the oven and use a metal spatula to turn the meatballs (they will stick a bit but should release easily when you scrape under them with the spatula). Put the meatballs back in the oven and cook for another 10 minutes, until they are nicely browned and almost cooked through.
- In the meantime, bring the marinara sauce to a simmer in a large skillet. Taste it and adjust the seasoning if necessary (I usually add a healthy pinch of sugar and some freshly ground black pepper). Transfer the browned meatballs to the marinara sauce, leaving the fat behind. Cover loosely with a lid or foil and simmer for about 10 minutes, until the flavors marry and the meatballs are cooked through. Keep warm until ready to toss with pasta.
- While the meatballs are cooking, bring a large pot of well-salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook until al dente. Drain, then toss with the sauce and meatballs (you may find it easier to toss everything together in the pasta pot rather than the skillet; it depends on the sizes of pans you are using).
- Serve topped with fresh basil and more grated cheese. Enjoy!
Freezer-Friendly Instructions
The cooked meatballs can be frozen, in their sauce, for up to 3 months. When ready to serve, defrost overnight in the refrigerator and reheat on the stovetop until the meatballs are hot in the center.