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Spaghetti and meatballs is a beloved dish that graces the menus of Italian restaurants across the United States. While it’s easy to find at eateries, nothing truly matches the satisfaction of preparing it from scratch in your own kitchen. Not only does this homemade version promise unparalleled freshness and quality, but it also offers incredible value. This recipe serves a family of six for less than the cost of a single plate at a restaurant.
This is a heartwarming, classic family style recipe that is super kid friendly. There’s something irresistibly fun about slurping long strands of spaghetti that sends giggles echoing around the dining table.
This recipe features my Tomato Sauce Canning Recipe, which is made from fresh ripe Roma tomatoes and preserved through water bath canned for long term storage. The meatballs are a hearty combination of beef and pork, spiced to perfection.
What makes this recipe truly special for me is not just its delightful taste, but also the joy of cooking together as a family. Involving the kids in the meal preparation adds an element of fun. They especially love to roll the meatballs. This hands-on experience allows them to feel a sense of accomplishment. Above all they contribute to a delicious meal and learn the art of creating spaghetti and meatballs.
Why choose Durum Wheat Pasta over Enriched Pasta for Spaghetti and Meatballs?
When it comes to choosing the right pasta for spaghetti and meatballs, I highly recommend opting for Durum Wheat Pasta instead of enriched pasta. Durum wheat offers a more wholesome alternative. The process of creating enriched pasta often involves refining the flour, which strips away its natural nutrients. Enriched flour is then artificially fortified with vitamins and minerals. In contrast, durum wheat is packed with natural protein, fiber, and vitamin B, boasting a lower glycemic index that makes it gentler on the digestive system. Durum wheat pasta is an excellent choice for diabetics or anyone monitoring their blood sugar levels.
This homemade recipe shines because it incorporates pure, natural ingredients. For the most nutritious spaghetti, I prefer Full Circle Market Organic Spaghetti 16 oz – Full Circle Market. It is made solely from organic durum wheat semolina. Its simplicity ensures that every bite is delicious while offering the health benefits of whole, unrefined ingredients.
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Spaghetti and Meatballs
Equipment
- mixing bowl
- cast iron skillet
- 6 Quart stock pot
- colander
Ingredients
Meatballs
- 1/2 lb Ground beef
- 1/2 lb Ground pork
- 1/4 cup Yellow onion, minced tiny
- 2 cloves Garlic
- 1/3 cup Plain bread crumbs
- 1/4 cup Milk
- 1 Egg
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 tsp Sea salt
- 1/2 tsp Black pepper
- 1 tbsp Olive oil
Spaghetti Sauce
- 1 quart Tomato Sauce
- 1 pint Diced tomatoes, canned
- 1 tsp Dried basil
- 1 tsp Dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp Sea salt
- 1/4 tsp Black pepper
Noodles and garnish
- 1 package Durum wheat spaghetti noodles (not enriched macaroni product)
- Shredded parmesan
Instructions
- Heat oil in a large cast iron skillet over medium heat.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine ground beef, ground pork, onion, garlic, breadcrumbs, milk, egg, parmesan cheese, salt and pepper. For me, it seems to mix best using my hands rather than a spoon or spatula.
- Form the meat mixture into balls about the size of a bouncy ball. This recipe will yield about 24- 25 meatballs.
- Place the meatballs into the hot skillet and cook on all sides.
- Once all the meatballs are no longer pink, pour the tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, basil, oregano, salt and pepper into the skillet.
- Bring the sauce to a simmer, reduce heat to medium low, and cover. Continue to simmer for 30 minutes.
- While the sauce is simmering, boil water with a dash of salt for the noodles.
- Once the water is hot and boiling, cook the noodles for 9 minutes, or until al dente.
- Strain the noodles, but do not rinse. The sauce sticks better to noodles that have not been rinsed.
- To serve, place a portion of the noodles into a pasta bowl and cover with the sauce. Serve with about 4 meatballs per bowl. Garnish with freshly grated parmesan cheese.
Nutrition
