When I title this dinner as “simple”, it is because I love the senses this dish stirs. It stirs the senses of a time when dinner was served in the kitchen with pots and pans, thick loaves of bread and huge hunks of cheese for grating. It stirs a time of aprons, and chrome kitchen chairs scraped along the floor as they are hastily pulled out to sit down for dinner. It reminds me of the times of dipping chunks of bread in the sauce and enjoying every minute. It was a simpler time and yet a time that memories are made of.
Simple Meatballs and Spaghetti
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 3 lbs. ground beef
Seasoning for the Meatballs3 eggs
- 3 slices white bread
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan or Romano cheese
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley
- 4-5 cloves of garlic
- 1/2 tsp. dried oregano
- 1 tsp. salt
- 1 tsp. black pepper
- 1/2 tsp. red pepper flakes
- 2 tablespoons Olive oil
For the Simple and Easy Sauce1 red onion – sliced thin
- 3 cloves of garlic - chopped
- 28 oz. can of plum tomatoes
- 1/4 cup red wine
- 1 tsp. salt
- 1/2 tsp. black pepper
- 1/4 tsp. red pepper flakes
- 1/4 tsp. sugar
- 1/4 cup of grated Romano or Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 lb. of your favorite spaghetti
- Grated Romano or Parmesan cheese
Instructions
For MeatballsCombine all of the above ingredients for the meatball seasoning in a food processor and process.
- In a large bowl mix together the ground beef with the ingredients from the food processor.
Preheat Oven 350 degreesShape the ground beef into desired size meatballs. Place in a baking dish and bake 25 – 30 minutes.
For the Simple and Easy SauceHeat a large cast iron frying pan with the olive oil. Add the sliced onions and chopped garlic to gently sauté until the onion is soft and the garlic fragrant.
- Add the plum tomatoes and the wine and continue to simmer on low. Add the seasonings and the grated cheese and continue to simmer on low.
- When the meatballs are ready; add to the sauce and simmer on low for about 30 minutes, while preparing the spaghetti.
- Plate the spaghetti and top with a drizzle of olive oil, the sauce, meatballs and finish with the grated cheese and a dash of red pepper flakes.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
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Enjoy with Love,
Catherine
xo
Loretta Thomas says
Mmmmm what a delicious platter of food!!! You are really making me hungry Catherine. What a dish.... Hugs!!
From the Kitchen says
This brings a delicious memory of childhood. We always ate in the kitchen except for Saturday and Sunday dinners as well as holidays. Chrome chairs and pots on the stove!! Mother called her marinara sauce "Shenandoah Valley tomato sauce". I still make it today and our boys love it.
Best,
Bonnie
Sandee says
Nothing better than pasta. Nothing.
Have a fabulous day Catherine. Big hugs. ♥♥♥
Pam says
Great memories here, Catherine! And there's nothing much better than spaghetti and meatballs. This is the first dish I learned to make when I was very young and it's still a favorite. Thanks for your recipe! Hugs
David says
Catherine, This is one of my favorite meals. We have a casual Italian restaurant we like where I like to order spaghetti with a great meat sauce and meatballs. My better half doesn't like meatballs so she doesn't make them or eat them. She does make the very best spicy meat sauce with lots of garlic! None Better! Take Care, Big Daddy Dave
Tanya Walton says
I love spaghetti and meatballs I think I will have to do some for dinner this week...(with a side of mash for the hubby who won't eat pasta!!)
Linda A. Thompson-Ditch says
Simple but perfect! I love dipping crusty bread in my sauce, too. This looks delicious.
Chiara Giglio says
When I think of Italian comfort food, this tasty dish comes to mind ! Blessings my dear, a hug
Nee says
Hi Catherine , what a delicious and so easy to make , I like mine spicy , this is a keeper , thanks for sharing 🙂
Joy says
Catherine, I love everything about this recipe. I love all the lovely cheese, I love that the seasoning for the meatballs is prepared in a food processor, and that the meatballs are baked. And I extra-love that you simmered the sauce in a cast iron skillet. We're due for our first freeze of the season tonight....I think this dish would be the perfect, warming, comfort meal!
Love, Joy @ Yesterfood
Kim G. says
Meatballs and pastas, always a huge hit around here:)
Chatty Crone says
Not so simple at all and it is a good sturdy meal and it is so pretty.
~~louise~~ says
Many, many, many memories have been made through the years over a "simple" meal of Spaghetti & Meatballs, Catherine. Most good, a few not so good, all are forever...
Gotta have the red pepper flakes:) Thank you so much for sharing...
Amy at Ms. Toody Goo Shoes says
Mmmmm, a perfect recipe for cold nights ahead. I love the images you conjured up at the start of this post. I wish I could pull up a chair and have a bowl full right now!
Maureen | Orgasmic Chef says
Does any meal say family more than spaghetti and meatballs? I think not. 🙂
kitchen flavours says
Meatballs and spaghetti are always a hit in my house. These looks delicious!
Thanks for sharing!
Beauty Follower says
Love it since I was a child!
http://beautyfollower.blogspot.gr/