Spaghetti and Juicy Lucy Meatballs
- Level: Easy
- Yield: 4 to 6 servings
-
- Nutritional Analysis
- Per Serving
- Serving Size
- 1 of 6 servings
- Calories
- 1009
- Total Fat
- 52
- Saturated Fat
- 19
- Carbohydrates
- 85
- Dietary Fiber
- 7
- Sugar
- 12
- Protein
- 49
- Cholesterol
- 193
- Sodium
- 1305
- Total: 1 hr 40 min
- Active: 1 hr
Ingredients
1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more for seasoning
3 tablespoons (40 grams) extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
1/2 large onion (5 1/2 ounces/160 grams), sliced
5 garlic cloves, chopped
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
One 28-ounce (794 grams) can whole plum or San Marzano tomatoes, crushed by hand
One 15-ounce (425 grams) can tomato sauce
1 pound (453 grams) spaghetti
1/4 cup (15 grams) fresh basil leaves, torn
1/2 cup (40 grams) grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
Meatballs (recipe follows)
Meatballs:
1 pound (453 grams) 80/20 ground beef
1 pound (453 grams) hot Italian sausage, removed from casings
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
2 large eggs, beaten
1 cup (84 grams) plain dry breadcrumbs
1 cup (40 grams) grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 large onion (5 1/2 ounces/160 grams), grated on the coarse holes of a box grater
1/4 cup (15 grams) chopped fresh Italian parsley
2 garlic cloves, chopped
8 small mozzarella balls/ciliegine (about 15 grams each)
Directions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over medium-high heat.
- For the sauce: Heat the olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the onion and season with salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until it begins to soften, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the garlic, dried oregano and crushed red pepper and cook until fragrant, 30 seconds to 1 minute. Add both types of canned tomatoes and 1 cup of water from the pasta pot. Bring to a boil and then reduce to a simmer until thickened and flavorful, 10 to 15 minutes.
- Once the meatballs are browned and the sauce has thickened, nestle the meatballs into the sauce and spoon a little of the sauce over each meatball. Reduce the heat to a gentle simmer, cover and simmer while the pasta cooks, about 10 minutes.
- Add the spaghetti to the boiling water and cook until al dente. Drain the spaghetti and place on a platter. Spoon some sauce onto the spaghetti and toss to coat. Nestle the cooked meatballs into the noodles. Top with desired amount of sauce, a drizzle of olive oil, the fresh basil and grated Parmesan cheese, for serving.
Meatballs:
- Place an oven rack in the middle position. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Combine the beef and sausage in a large bowl and spread out the meat with a wooden spoon. Season with salt. Add the eggs, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, onion, parsley and garlic in a large bowl and mix well with your hands to combine. Divide into 8 equal balls. Use your thumb to hollow out the center of a ball so it resembles a bowl. Stick a mozzarella ball inside and press to seal the mozzarella inside the meat mixture. Roll into a ball and place on the baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining meat mixture and mozzarella.
- Bake until the meatballs are well browned, 18 to 22 minutes. (They will cook more in the sauce).