Classic Spaghetti Parmesan Meatballs Recipes

CLASSIC SPAGHETTI & PARMESAN MEATBALLS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 375ºF.
• Mix first 4 ingredients, 1/4 cup cheese and half the garlic just until blended; shape into 18 (1-1/2-inch) meatballs. Place on rimmed baking sheet sprayed with cooking spray. Bake 15 min. or until done (160ºF).
• Meanwhile, cook spaghetti as directed on package, omitting salt. While spaghetti is cooking, heat oil in large skillet on medium heat. Add remaining garlic; cook and stir 1 min. Stir in tomatoes and tomato sauce. Bring to boil, stirring occasionally.
• Add meatballs to sauce; stir to evenly coat. Simmer on medium-low heat 10 min. or until sauce is slightly thickened.
• Drain spaghetti; place on platter. Top with meatballs, sauce and remaining cheese.

CLASSIC SPAGHETTI AND MEATBALLS

Steps:

• Tomato Sauce:
• Heat oil in a large heavy pot over medium-low. Cook garlic, stirring occasionally, until a few pieces are golden brown around the edges, about 5 minutes. Add basil sprigs and stir to wilt. Add tomatoes, crushing with your hands as you go, and their juices; season with salt and pepper. Increase heat to medium-high; bring mixture to a simmer, then reduce heat to maintain a very gentle simmer. Cook, stirring occasionally, until sauce is thickened and flavors have concentrated, 60-75 minutes.
• Meatballs and assembly:
• Run bread under cold running water until completely soaked. Firmly wring out to expel as much water as possible. Finely chop, then mix in a large bowl with eggs, garlic, ricotta, prosciutto, parsley, and 1/3 cup Parmesan.
• Finely grind fennel seeds in spice mill or with mortar and pestle; add to bread mixture along with oregano, nutmeg, black pepper, red pepper flakes, and 1 1/4 tsp. salt. Mix well (it should resemble a coarse, wet paste). Add beef and break up into small pieces (a couple of forks work well). Mix gently with your hands until smooth and ingredients are evenly incorporated; be careful not to overmix.
• Lightly oil your hands. Working one at a time, scoop out portions of meat mixture with a 1/4-cup measuring cup; roll gently between your hands into balls. Arrange on a rimmed baking sheet.
• This is the point where you should get the sauce reheating, if needed, so it's warm by the time you add the meatballs.
• Heat 1 Tbsp. oil in a medium nonstick skillet over medium. Add half of the meatballs and cook, turning and rolling occasionally, until browned on all sides, about 5 minutes total. Add meatballs to warm sauce. Repeat with remaining 1 Tbsp. oil and remaining meatballs.
• Cook meatballs in sauce (they should be mostly submerged) at a gentle simmer, carefully scraping bottom of pot and adding a splash of water if sauce begins to stick, until meatballs are cooked through and tender and sauce tastes rich and meaty, 40-50 minutes.
• Transfer meatballs to a clean baking sheet; cover with foil to keep warm. Pluck out and discard basil from sauce. Use a potato masher or immersion blender to break up any large pieces of tomato and smooth out sauce. Transfer 2 cups sauce to a small bowl; set aside for serving.
• Cook spaghetti in a large pot of boiling salted water, stirring occasionally, until al dente. Using tongs, transfer to pot with sauce. Gently stir, adding pasta cooking liquid by the tablespoonful as needed, until sauce coats pasta. Transfer spaghetti to a serving dish and top with meatballs and 1 cup reserved sauce. Sprinkle with more Parmesan and serve with some basil (if using) and remaining sauce alongside for topping.
• Do Ahead:
• Sauce can be made 3 days ahead. Let cool; cover and chill. Meatballs can be formed 1 day ahead; cover and chill. Meatballs can be cooked in sauce 3 days ahead; let cool, then cover and chill.

CLASSIC SPAGHETTI AND MEATBALLS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Combine the cheese, breadcrumbs, milk and egg in a large mixing bowl until well mixed. Add the chuck and pork and mix to combine, working gently to avoid overworking the meat. Sprinkle with the salt and pepper. Shape into small golf ball-size meatballs and place on the lined baking sheet.
• Bake the meatballs until they are cooked through, about 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, bring the Classic Tomato Basil Sauce to a simmer. Transfer the meatballs to the tomato sauce and toss to coat, allowing them to simmer for another 5 minutes. Meatballs can be held in the sauce until ready to serve.
• Cook the pasta according to package directions. Transfer the cooked pasta directly to the sauce, tossing to coat.
• Serve the spaghetti and meatballs topped with grated Parmesan and fresh basil.
• Cut an "X" in the bottom of each tomato and blanch in a large pot of boiling water 10 seconds. Immediately transfer the tomatoes with a slotted spoon to an ice bath to cool, then peel, seed and chop.
• Cook the garlic in the oil in a small, heavy pot over medium heat, stirring occasionally until golden, 3 to 5 minutes. Add the tomatoes and red pepper flakes, season with salt and pepper, and add the fresh basil. Cover and simmer 1 hour, stirring occasionally.

CLASSIC SPAGHETTI AND MEATBALLS

Steps:

• Place bread in medium bowl; cover with milk. Let stand until bread is soft, about 10 minutes. Place meat in large bowl. Mix in 2 tablespoons cheese and next 5 ingredients. Squeeze bread almost dry; discard milk. Blend bread into meat mixture. Using 1 rounded tablespoon for each, shape mixture into 24 meatballs.
• Heat oil in heavy large skillet over medium heat. Add meatballs; sauté until brown and cooked through, turning often to hold shape, about 15 minutes. Add meatballs and drippings in skillet to pot of Tomato-Sausage Sauce. Simmer to blend flavors, about 10 minutes.
• Place pasta in large bowl. Add 1 1/2 cups sauce and toss to coat. Top with meatballs and remaining sauce. Serve with additional Parmesan cheese.