Real Meatballs and Spaghetti

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Picture of Real Meatballs and Spaghetti Recipe 5 Videos | Photo: Real Meatballs and Spaghetti Recipe
Rated 5 stars out of 5
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  • Read 476 Reviews
Total Time:
2 hr 0 min
Prep
40 min
Cook
1 hr 20 min
Yield:
6 servings
Level:
Intermediate
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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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Wine Suggestion for This Recipe

Sangiovese

Sangiovese

Bright, fruity Italian red wine

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Newest Ratings and Reviews

Read all 476 reviews

  • on June 15, 2013

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    I had to overcome inertia to find the ground veal and pork. Once I had all the ingredients, the recipe was easy to prepare. These were some of the best meatballs I have ever eaten. Restaurant quality.

    people found this review Helpful.
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  • on May 21, 2013

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    Yum! I didn't have veal so ended using half and ground pork and ground beef. Based on the "too salty" review, I cut the meatball and sauce salt to 1tsp each. It was perfect. Both hubby and 5yo daughter exclaimed it's a keeper. Nice enough for company as well. This one will stay in our regular rotation. Thanks, Ina!

    people found this review Helpful.
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  • on May 05, 2013

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    Great recipe. Do not forget to put in 3/4 cup of warm water to keep meatballs moist. Watch the video. Also, I used Hot Italian pork/sausage instead of plain pork.... Everybody loved the meatballs !

    people found this review Helpful.
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Next Recipe

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