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Cozy Sunday Night Spaghetti and Meatballs Recipe with Grandma’s Sauce Made Easy

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A comforting and easy-to-make spaghetti and meatballs recipe featuring a slow-simmered Grandma’s sauce and tender meatballs with a secret ingredient for juiciness. Perfect for cozy family dinners or date nights.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb (450g) ground beef (80/20 blend recommended for juiciness)
  • 1/2 cup (50g) breadcrumbs (Italian-style or plain)
  • 1/4 cup (60ml) whole milk
  • 1 large egg, beaten
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/4 cup (25g) grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • Olive oil for frying
  • 2 tbsp olive oil (for sauce)
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 can (28 oz / 800g) crushed tomatoes
  • 1 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1 tsp dried basil
  • Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 1 tsp sugar
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Fresh basil leaves for garnish (optional)
  • 12 oz (340g) spaghetti
  • Salted water for boiling pasta

Instructions

  1. In a mixing bowl, soak the breadcrumbs in milk for about 5 minutes until softened. Add the ground beef, beaten egg, minced garlic, grated Parmesan, chopped parsley, salt, and pepper. Mix gently with your hands until just combined.
  2. Wet your hands slightly to prevent sticking. Roll the mixture into uniform balls, roughly 1 1/2 inches (4 cm) in diameter.
  3. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add meatballs in batches, careful not to crowd the pan. Brown on all sides until golden (about 6-8 minutes total). Transfer to a plate and set aside.
  4. In the same skillet, add a bit more olive oil if needed. Sauté the chopped onion over medium heat until translucent and soft, about 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
  5. Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, dried oregano, dried basil, red pepper flakes (if using), and sugar. Season with salt and pepper. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer.
  6. Carefully nestle the browned meatballs into the sauce. Cover and let simmer gently over low heat for 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  7. While the sauce simmers, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add spaghetti and cook according to package instructions until al dente (usually 8-10 minutes). Drain, reserving a cup of pasta water.
  8. Toss the cooked spaghetti with a little of the sauce to coat the noodles. Plate the pasta and spoon meatballs and extra sauce on top. Garnish with fresh basil leaves and extra Parmesan if desired.

Notes

Soak breadcrumbs in milk to keep meatballs tender. Avoid overcrowding the pan when browning meatballs. Simmer sauce gently on low heat to develop flavor. Use reserved pasta water to loosen sauce if too thick. For gluten-free, use gluten-free breadcrumbs and pasta. For dairy-free, omit Parmesan or use plant-based alternative.

Nutrition

Keywords: spaghetti and meatballs, grandma's sauce, comfort food, easy dinner, Italian recipe, meatballs, pasta, family meal

Find it online: https://shimmersnack.com/cozy-sunday-night-spaghetti-and-meatballs-recipe-with-grandmas-sauce-made-easy/