Emeril's Spaghetti and Meatballs

The best sauce I have ever had, leftovers were even better. My husband made this for me when I was recovering from kidney surgery, talk about some comfort food! He got it off the Food Network website. Oh we broiled the meatballs separately.

• Ready In: 1 hr 50 mins
• Serves: 4

Ingredients

• 1  tablespoon bacon drippings or 1  tablespoon olive oil
• 1  cup  diced onion
• 1 1⁄2 teaspoons  chopped garlic
• 1⁄4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
• 2 (15 ounce) cans tomato sauce
• 0.5 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
• 1⁄2 teaspoon dried basil leaves
• 1⁄4 teaspoon dried oregano leaves
•  salt & freshly ground black pepper
• 12  ounces  ground chuck
• 8  ounces  ground pork sausage
• 2  tablespoons red wine
• 1  large egg, lightly beaten
• 1⁄2 cup  minced green onion, white parts only
• 1  teaspoon  minced garlic
• 2  tablespoons  chopped fresh parsley leaves
• 3  tablespoons  grated parmesan cheese
• 1⁄2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1⁄4 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
• 1  teaspoon  Emeril's Original Essence (recipe follows)
• 1  lb spaghetti, cooked, drained and tossed with olive oil

Directions

1. Heat the bacon drippings (or olive oil) in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the onions and cook until softened and translucent, about 8 minutes. Add the garlic and crushed red pepper and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Add the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, and tomato paste. Season the sauce with the basil, oregano, salt and pepper. Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally.
2. Place the remaining ingredients, except spaghetti, in a large mixing bowl. Mix together just until combined. Form meatballs by rolling meat mixture into 1 tablespoon-sized balls. Place meatballs on a plate as they are formed. (Hint: If your hands are slightly damp, the meatballs will roll more easily without sticking.).
3. Place the balls into the simmering sauce 1 at a time. Allow the sauce to return to a simmer, and cook, partially covered. Let the meatballs to rest undisturbed for 25 minutes before stirring. When the meatballs rise to the top, stir gently. Simmer, partially covered, for an additional hour, stirring occasionally to prevent the sauce from sticking to the bottom of the pot. Remove the sauce from the heat and serve immediately over cooked spaghetti.
4. Reserve leftover sauce and meatballs for the Pasta Frittata.
5. Emeril's ESSENCE Creole Seasoning (also referred to as Bayou Blast):
6. 2 1/2 tablespoons paprika.
7. 2 tablespoons salt.
8. 2 tablespoons garlic powder.
9. 1 tablespoon black pepper.
10. 1 tablespoon onion powder.
11. 1 tablespoon cayenne pepper.
12. 1 tablespoon dried oregano.
13. 1 tablespoon dried thyme.
14. Combine all ingredients thoroughly. 2/3 cup.