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Real Meatballs and Spaghetti

Ina Garten

Copyright, 2002, Barefoot Contessa Family Style, All Rights Reserved

Show: Barefoot ContessaEpisode: Boss for Dinner

Rated: 5 stars out of 5Rate itRead users' reviews (242)

  • Cook Time:

    1 hr 20 min

  • Level:

    Intermediate

  • Yield:

    6 servings

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Times:

Prep
40 min
Inactive Prep
--
Cook
1 hr 20 min
Total:
2 hr 0 min
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Ingredients

For the meatballs:

  • 1/2 pound ground veal
  • 1/2 pound ground pork
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 cup fresh white bread crumbs (4 slices, crusts removed)
  • 1/4 cup seasoned dry bread crumbs
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1 extra-large egg, beaten
  • Vegetable oil
  • Olive oil

For the sauce:

  • 1 tablespoon good olive oil
  • 1 cup chopped yellow onion (1 onion)
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons minced garlic
  • 1/2 cup good red wine, such as Chianti
  • 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes, or plum tomatoes in puree, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

For serving:

  • 1 1/2 pounds spaghetti, cooked according to package directions
  • Freshly grated Parmesan

Directions

Place the ground meats, both bread crumbs, parsley, Parmesan, salt, pepper, nutmeg, egg, and 3/4 cup warm water in a bowl. Combine very lightly with a fork. Using your hands, lightly form the mixture into 2-inch meatballs. You will have 14 to 16 meatballs.

Pour equal amounts of vegetable oil and olive oil into a large (12-inch) skillet to a depth of 1/4-inch. Heat the oil. Very carefully, in batches, place the meatballs in the oil and brown them well on all sides over medium-low heat, turning carefully with a spatula or a fork. This should take about 10 minutes for each batch. Don't crowd the meatballs. Remove the meatballs to a plate covered with paper towels. Discard the oil but don't clean the pan.

For the sauce, heat the olive oil in the same pan. Add the onion and saute over medium heat until translucent, 5 to 10 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for 1 more minute. Add the wine and cook on high heat, scraping up all the brown bits in the pan, until almost all the liquid evaporates, about 3 minutes. Stir in the tomatoes, parsley, salt, and pepper.

Return the meatballs to the sauce, cover, and simmer on the lowest heat for 25 to 30 minutes, until the meatballs are cooked through. Serve hot on cooked spaghetti and pass the grated Parmesan.

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Read more Comments & Reviews (242)

Comments & Reviews

  • recipe Real Meatballs and Spaghetti
    Joyce North Richland Hills , TX 11-20-2009

    Flag

    Best Recipe Ever!

    Rated: 5 stars out of 5
    I have made this recipe several times for my family and everyone just loves this. I make this exactly as the recipe... dictates, with the exception of the sauce needs more time to cook down to thicken or it is too watery. The flavors are simply amazing. I serve this with a fresh mixed greens salad with traditional home made Italian dressing of olive oil and red wine vinegar with fresh herbs, and warm bagette. Thanks Ina, you are the best!!Read more
  • recipe Real Meatballs and Spaghetti
    David kirkwood, MO 11-20-2009

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    Fabulous Taste!

    Rated: 5 stars out of 5
    These meatballs have the best taste of any I've ever made (or had, for that matter!) Easy to make, beautiful presentation... and fabulous taste. Thanks Ina!Read more
  • recipe Real Meatballs and Spaghetti
    r southapton, PA 11-18-2009

    Flag

    thicken sauce

    Rated: 5 stars out of 5
    ...just add flour. No lol not really, or I hope not! What I found with this and other meat & tomato based pasta sauces, is... that they set up & thicken naturally in refrigerator overnight. Now if you want it thicker same day you should let it reduce on low bubble/simmer uncovered an extra hour or until you reach the desired consistency you prefer. Yes more time but makes home smell great! It also infuses more flavor & moistness into meatballs. Do not cut back on liquids or tomato.Read more
  • recipe Real Meatballs and Spaghetti
    Laura Arlington, WA 11-12-2009

    Flag

    Yum!

    Rated: 4 stars out of 5
    My family loved this simple, hearty dish. The only change I made was to leave out the veal. The only complaint I got was... that the sauce was thin but everyone ate it right up. Definitely make it again!Read more
  • recipe Real Meatballs and Spaghetti
    Mellisa mooresville, NC 11-07-2009

    Flag

    Yumm!

    Rated: 5 stars out of 5
    This recipe is so good. My whole family loves it. I have made it quite a few times, but I ommit the veal, and use a half... pound hamburg and a half pound of ground pork. I also double the sauce b/c we like our spaghetti saucy. I could tell on the episode that there wouldnt be anough sauce for us. I also add a ton more garlic, and home dried basil to the sauce instead of parsley (my grocer hardly ever has italian parsley) I love everything I have tried from Ina, infact 99% of the recipes saved in my recipe box here are hers. Read more
  • recipe Real Meatballs and Spaghetti
    Michele orland park, IL 11-04-2009

    Flag

    great meatballs

    Rated: 4 stars out of 5
    The only thing this dish needs is some sugar to taste in the tomato sauce to take out the bitterness. Add that, and the dish... is perfect!Read more
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