A Classic Italian Dish: Spaghetti and Meatballs
Spaghetti and meatballs is a beloved Italian-American dish that combines the comfort of homemade pasta with the rich flavors of slow-cooked meatballs. This hearty meal is perfect for a family dinner or a casual gathering with friends.
Recipe: Spaghetti and Meatballs
Meatballs:
Ingredients:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 egg
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
- In a large mixing bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, Parmesan cheese, parsley, salt, and pepper. Mix well with your hands until just combined.
- Use your hands to shape the mixture into meatballs, about 1 1/2 inches (3.8 cm) in diameter. You should end up with around 20-25 meatballs.
- Place the meatballs on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Drizzle with olive oil and gently roll them to coat evenly.
- Bake the meatballs for 18-20 minutes, or until cooked through and lightly browned.
Spaghetti:
Ingredients:
- 1 pound spaghetti
- Salt, for the boiling water
Instructions:
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the spaghetti according to package instructions until al dente.
- Reserve 1 cup of pasta cooking liquid before draining the spaghetti.
Tomato Sauce:
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 cups canned crushed tomatoes
- 1 cup reserved pasta cooking liquid
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh basil leaves, chopped (optional)
Instructions:
- Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat.
- Add the chopped onion and cook until translucent, about 5 minutes.
- Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute.
- Stir in crushed tomatoes, reserved pasta cooking liquid, salt, and pepper. Bring the sauce to a simmer.
- Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer while you prepare the meatballs.
Assembly:
- Cook the spaghetti according to package instructions.
- In a large serving dish, combine cooked spaghetti, tomato sauce, and meatballs.
- Toss everything together, ensuring the spaghetti is well coated with the tomato sauce and meatballs are evenly distributed.
- Serve hot, topped with chopped fresh basil leaves if desired.
Enjoy your delicious homemade Spaghetti and Meatballs!
Text model: llama3
Image model: ComicBookXL
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