Classic, simple, no fuss dinner here with the most tender and juicy homemade meatballs and spaghetti sauce!
5 stars (7 ratings)
Ingredients
for the meatballs
½cupfreshly grated Parmesan
⅓cupPanko*
⅓cupchopped fresh parsley leaves
½cupmilk
1large egg
1small shallot, diced
3clovesgarlic, minced
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
1poundlean ground beef
1poundground pork
for the sauce
2tablespoonsolive oil
1medium sweet onion, diced
3clovesgarlic, minced
2teaspoonsItalian seasoning
½teaspoonfennel seeds
¼teaspooncrushed red pepper flakes
⅓cupdry red wine
1 (28-ounce)cancrushed tomatoes
1 (15-ounce)canpetite diced tomatoes
1teaspoonsugar
½cupchopped fresh basil leaves
1poundspaghetti
Instructions
Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with foil and lightly oil or coat with nonstick spray.
In a large bowl, combine Parmesan, Panko, parsley, milk, egg, shallot and garlic; season with 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Let stand 10 minutes.
Using a wooden spoon or clean hands, add ground beef and ground pork, stirring until well combined. Roll the mixture into 1-to-1-1/2-inch meatballs, forming about 36 meatballs.
Place meatballs in a single layer onto the prepared baking sheet. Place into oven and bake until browned, about 12-15 minutes; set aside.
Heat olive oil in a large stockpot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add onion, and cook, stirring frequently, until translucent, about 2-3 minutes. Stir in garlic, Italian seasoning, fennel seeds, and crushed red pepper flakes until fragrant, about 1 minute.
Stir in wine, scraping any browned bits from the bottom of the pot.
Stir in tomatoes and sugar; season with salt and pepper, to taste. Bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer until sauce has thickened, about 20 minutes.
Stir in meatballs; cover and continue to simmer until flavors have blended, about 30 minutes. Stir in basil; season with salt and pepper, to taste.
In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook pasta according to package instructions; drain well.
Serve immediately, topped with meatballs and sauce.
Notes
*Panko is a Japanese-style breadcrumb and can be found in the Asian section of your local grocery store.