Bon Appetit Spaghetti and Meatballs
For the best texture, don't overwork the meat mixture and use parmesan that's ground to a fine powder (use the food processor or the rasp side of a box grater). For more heat, add 1/2 to 3/4 teaspoon dried crushed red pepper to the sauce. Breadcrumbs should come from a crustless French or country-style loaf of bread. The best ground beef to use is 85% lean and an immersion blender would be great to have for this recipe.
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INGREDIENTS
NutritionSauce
- 2
- 1⁄2
- 2
-
Meatballs
- 1cup breadcrumbs
- 1⁄3cup whole milk
- 8ounces ground beef
- 8ounces ground pork
- 1
- 1⁄3
- 1teaspoon salt
- 1⁄4teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 2large eggs
- 2
- 1lb spaghetti
-
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DIRECTIONS
- Sauce.
- Combine tomatoes with juice, butter, onions, and salt in large wide pot.
- Bring to simmer over medium heat. Reduce heat; simmer uncovered 45 minutes, stirring occasionally. Discard onions.
- Using immersion blender, process sauce briefly to break up any large pieces of tomato (texture should be even but not completely smooth). Season sauce with more salt and freshly ground black pepper.
- Remove from heat.
- Meatballs.
- Combine breadcrumbs and milk in small bowl; stir until breadcrumbs are evenly moistened. Let stand 10 minutes.
- Place beef and pork in large bowl and break up into small chunks. Add 1 cup ground Parmesan, parsley, salt, and pepper.
- Whisk eggs to blend in small bowl; whisk in garlic.
- Add to meat mixture.
- Using hands, squeeze milk from breadcrumbs, reserving milk. Add breadcrumbs to meat mixture.
- Using hands, quickly and gently mix meat mixture just until all ingredients are evenly combined (do not overmix).
- Chill mixture at least 15 minutes and up to 1 hour.
- Moisten hands with some of reserved milk from breadcrumbs, then roll meat mixture between palms into golf-ball-size balls, occasionally moistening hands with milk as needed and arranging meatballs in single layer in sauce in pot.
- Bring to simmer. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until meatballs are cooked through, 15 to 20 minutes.
- DO AHEAD Can be made 2 days ahead.
- Cool slightly. Chill uncovered until cold, then cover and keep chilled. Rewarm before continuing.
- Cook spaghetti in large pot of boiling salted water until just tender but still firm to bite, stirring occasionally. Drain.
- Using slotted spoon, transfer meatballs to platter. Add pasta to sauce in pot and toss to coat. Divide pasta among 6 plates. Top each serving with meatballs. Sprinkle meatballs with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and serve.
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