Meatballs with pasta

Meatballs with Pasta is a comforting and classic Italian-American dish featuring juicy, flavorful meatballs served over pasta with a rich tomato sauce. Here’s a delicious recipe:

Ingredients:

For the Meatballs:

• 500g (1 lb) ground beef (or a mix of beef and pork)
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 egg (lightly beaten)
• 2 cloves garlic (minced)
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley (chopped)
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• Salt and pepper (to taste)
• 2 tablespoons milk
• 2 tablespoons olive oil (for frying)

For the Tomato Sauce:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 small onion (finely chopped)
• 3 cloves garlic (minced)
• 1 can (800g) crushed tomatoes
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• Salt and pepper (to taste)
• 1 teaspoon sugar (optional, to balance acidity)
• Fresh basil (optional, for garnish)

For the Pasta:

• 400g (14 oz) spaghetti or your favorite pasta
• Salt (for pasta water)

Instructions:

1. Make the Meatballs:

1. In a large bowl, combine the ground meat, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, beaten egg, minced garlic, parsley, oregano, salt, pepper, and milk.
2. Mix gently with your hands until everything is just combined. Avoid overmixing, as it can make the meatballs tough.
3. Roll the mixture into 1 to 1.5-inch meatballs.
4. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the meatballs in batches, browning them on all sides (about 5-7 minutes). They don't need to be cooked through, as they will finish cooking in the sauce.
5. Remove the browned meatballs from the skillet and set aside.

2. Prepare the Tomato Sauce:

1. In the same skillet, add a bit more olive oil if necessary. Sauté the chopped onion over medium heat until soft and translucent (about 5 minutes).
2. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
3. Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, oregano, basil, salt, pepper, and sugar (if using). Simmer for 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
4. Carefully add the browned meatballs into the sauce. Cover the skillet and let the meatballs simmer in the sauce for about 20 minutes, until they are cooked through.

3. Cook the Pasta:

1. While the meatballs are cooking, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
2. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.

4. Serve:

1. Plate the cooked pasta and top with meatballs and sauce.
2. Garnish with freshly chopped basil and additional Parmesan cheese if desired.

Enjoy your delicious Meatballs with Pasta!