Anna's Uber Spaghetti With Meatballs

A great, spruced up, version of the old classic. This sauce can be made with what ever type of Riesling wine you prefer. Also you can substitute ground pork, veal, chicken, turkey or any combination of ground meat for the beef.

• Ready In: 1 hr 10 mins
• Serves: 6-8

Ingredients

• Sauce

• 4  medium  vine-ripe tomatoes, cut into 1 inch pieces
• 2 1⁄2 cups grape tomatoes, cut in 4 's
• 1⁄8 cup olive oil
• 2 -3  small fresh garlic cloves, minced
• 1⁄3 cup riesling wine
• 1⁄4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1⁄4 teaspoon salt
• 1⁄8 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
• 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
• 1 (6 ounce) can  plain tomato paste
• 1  teaspoon sugar
• 1  teaspoon dried basil or 2  teaspoons fresh basil
• 1⁄2 teaspoon dried oregano or 2  teaspoons fresh oregano
• 1⁄2 teaspoon dried tarragon
• 1⁄4-1⁄2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1⁄4 teaspoon  crush red pepper flakes (more if desired)
• 1  cup riesling wine
• 16  ounces  fresh portabella mushrooms, sliced
• 3  tablespoons  fresh snipped parsley (optional)

• Meatballs

• 2  lbs ground beef
• 1⁄4 cup olive oil
• 1 1⁄2 teaspoons fennel seeds
• 1 1⁄4 teaspoons  dried Italian seasoning
• 1 1⁄2 cups  fresh white breadcrumbs (about 4 slices of white bread made into crumbs using a food possessor)
• 1  dash fresh ground black pepper
• 1⁄4 teaspoon salt
• 1⁄2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1  large garlic clove
• 1  large egg
• 1⁄3 cup  diced onion (optional)
• 1⁄4 teaspoon tarragon

Directions

1. For Sauce:.
2. In a large pot, over medium heat add olive oil and fresh garlic. Sauté for 2-3 minutes until translucent, do not brown.
3. Add tomatoes add wine, garlic powder salt and pepper and cook, stirring occasionally for about 5-8 minutes until tomatoes have softened and broken down.
4. Add can tomatoes, tomato paste, sugar, dried or fresh herbs, the rest of the garlic, and red pepper flakes.
5. Reduce heat and simmer for about 20 minutes. Add the remaining cup of wine and meatballs (see recipe below) then continue to simmer for 15 minutes.
6. Add mushrooms and parsley and continue to cook for 10 more minutes until mushrooms are done.
7. Serve with desired cooked pasta.
8. For Meatballs:.
9. This can either be made in a food processor or by hand with fork or clean, bare hands. The 1st recipe is for the food processor.
10. Add all ingredients except olive oil and fennel seeds into a food processor and pulse until all combined.
11. Stir in fennel seeds. Form meat into 1 ½ inch meat balls.
12. In a pan over medium-high heat add olive oil and meat balls, one at a time, to hot oil and brown on all sides.
13. Drain oil.
14. For doing it with a fork or by hand:.
15. In a large bowl add all ingredients, except olive oil and stir with fork or clean hands until combined.
16. Form in to 1 ½ inch meat balls.
17. In a pan over medium-high heat add olive oil and meat balls, one at a time, to hot oil and brown on all sides.
18. Drain oil.