Sunday Night Spaghetti and Meatballs
Jan242012
(Photo by Ben Fink.)
When the weekend arrives, the “fast and easy” recipes are filed away, and I look forward to a meal that has been leisurely simmered on the stove, filling the house with comforting aromas. Spaghetti and meatballs is the kind of dish whose excellence is related to the time it spends quietly bubbling on the stove. I am planning a dinner party this weekend, and was wracking my brain for a meal that everyone would enjoy. I finally decided on this classic from I LOVE MEATBALLS.
A composite of what I’ve learned about spaghetti and meatballs from the various Italian grandmothers in my life, this is everything that the classic dish should be—the perfect example of abbondanza, which means glorious excess. This makes a large amount, but even if you don’t have a big family, make the entire amount to have leftovers for another meal.
In the old days, the meatballs would be fried in oil, but most cooks I know prefer to bake them to keep the stovetop clean of splatters. If you go this route, invest in a splatter screen, and your stove will remain relatively unsoiled. To do it the old-fashioned way, heat 1/4 cup of standard (it doesn't have to be extra-virgin) olive oil in a large skillet (preferably nonstick) over medium heat. In batches without crowding, add the meatballs and cover the pan with the splatter screen. Cook, turning the meatballs occasionally, until lightly browned on all sides, about 10 minutes. Don't rush this step, or the browned bits in the pan will burn and you will have to toss out the oil.
In the old days, the meatballs would be fried in oil, but most cooks I know prefer to bake them to keep the stovetop clean of splatters. If you go this route, invest in a splatter screen, and your stove will remain relatively unsoiled. To do it the old-fashioned way, heat 1/4 cup of standard (it doesn't have to be extra-virgin) olive oil in a large skillet (preferably nonstick) over medium heat. In batches without crowding, add the meatballs and cover the pan with the splatter screen. Cook, turning the meatballs occasionally, until lightly browned on all sides, about 10 minutes. Don't rush this step, or the browned bits in the pan will burn and you will have to toss out the oil.
| Servings6 to 8 |
Ingredients
Meatballs
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 large yellow onion finely chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 pound ground round (85 percent lean)
- 1 pound pounds sweet pork Italian sausage, casings removed
- 1 cup dried plain bread crumbs
- 1/2 cup cup freshly grated Parmigiano cheese
- 2 large eggs beaten
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Classic Tomato Pasta Sauce
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion chopped
- 2 garlic clovesminced
- One 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes
- One 16-ounce can tomato sauce
- 1 cup hearty red wine, such as Shiraz
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 2 teaspoons dried basil
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed hot red pepper
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 1/2 pounds spaghetti
- freshly grated Parmigiano cheese, for serving
Ingredients
Meatballs
Classic Tomato Pasta Sauce
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Instructions
- To make the meatballs: Heat the oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until golden, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute more. Transfer to a large bowl and cool completely.
- Add the ground round, sausage, bread crumbs, Parmigiano, eggs, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper to the onion and mix well. Cover and refrigerate for at least 15 minutes or up to 4 hours. (If the mixture is chilled, the balls are easier to shape.)
- Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 375°F. Lightly oil a large metal roasting pan. Using your wet hands rinsed under cold water, shape the meat mixture into 24 equal meatballs. Arrange the meatballs in the pan. Bake until lightly browned, about 25 minutes.
- Meanwhile, start the sauce: Heat the oil in a heavy-bottomed nonreactive pot over medium heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until golden, about 5 minutes. Stir in the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute more. Stir in the tomatoes, tomato sauce, red wine, 1 cup water, oregano, basil, hot pepper, and bay leaf. Bring to a simmer over high heat. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer, uncovered and stirring occasionally, for 1 hour.
- Transfer the meatballs to a platter. Pour the fat out of the roasting pan, leaving the browned bits in the pan. Heat the pan over high heat. When it sizzles, pour in 1/2 cup water and bring to a boil, scraping up the browned bits in the pan with a wooden spatula. Stir into the sauce. Add the meatballs to the sauce and return to a simmer. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the meatballs are cooked through, about 30 minutes more.
- Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the spaghetti and cook according to the package directions until al dente. Drain well and return to the pot.
- Using a slotted spoon, transfer the meatballs to a platter. Discard the bay leaf. Add the sauce to the spaghetti in the pot and stir well. Transfer the spaghetti and sauce to a large warmed serving bowl and top with the meatballs. Serve hot, with Parmesan passed at the table.
Recipe Notes
Sicilian Meatballs: My friend Marguerite Scandiffio adds 1/2 cup chopped raisins and 1/3 cup toasted and cooled pine nuts to the meatball mixture.
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