Authentic Italian Spaghetti with Hearty Meatballs
Indulge in the rich, comforting flavors of an authentic Italian spaghetti and meatballs dish. Perfected by one of our talented Italian chefs, this recipe captures the essence of Italy with its finely seasoned meatballs simmered in a from-scratch tomato sauce, bringing warmth and joy to your dining table. Effortless yet rewarding, this dish is destined to become a family favorite that you’ll return to time and again for weeknight dinners or festive gatherings.
8-10
Servings
N/A
Calories
21
Ingredients
Ingredients
Garlic clove
1/2 tablespoon (chopped)
Onion
1 medium (chopped)
Olive oil
1 tablespoon (none)
Italian seasoning
1 teaspoon (none)
Italian-style tomato paste
6 ounces (none)
Tomatoes seasoned with basil, garlic & oregano
29 ounces (chopped)
Italian-style tomato sauce
56 ounces (none)
Red wine
1/8 cup (none)
Fennel head
1 cup (chopped, optional)
Fennel seed
1 teaspoon (none)
Garlic salt
to taste (none)
Black pepper
to taste (none)
Salt
to taste (none)
Sugar
1 tablespoon (none)
Ground chuck
2 lbs (none)
Italian sausage
1/2 lb (none)
Garlic clove
1 teaspoon (minced)
Onion
1 small (finely chopped)
Breadcrumbs
1 cup (none)
Eggs
2 (none)
Thin spaghetti
16 ounces (none)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2
In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground chuck, Italian sausage, minced garlic, fennel seed, finely chopped onion, breadcrumbs, eggs, and season with garlic salt, black pepper, salt, and Italian seasoning.
3
Mix the ingredients thoroughly until well combined. Roll the mixture into meatballs of your desired size and place them on a baking sheet.
4
Bake the meatballs in the preheated oven for about 20 minutes or until fully cooked through.
5
While the meatballs are baking, heat olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the medium chopped onion, chopped garlic, and fennel head (if using), and sauté until the onion is soft and translucent.
6
Stir in Italian seasoning, tomato paste, chopped seasoned tomatoes, tomato sauce, red wine, fennel seed, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and sugar.
7
Once the meatballs are done, gently add them to the sauce. Let the sauce and meatballs simmer together on low heat for at least an hour, stirring occasionally.
8
In the meantime, cook the thin spaghetti according to the package instructions, drain, and set aside.
9
Serve the meatballs and sauce generously over the cooked spaghetti.
10
Enjoy your authentic Italian spaghetti with hearty meatballs in a delightful family-style meal!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the primary proteins used in the meatballs?
The meatballs are made using a combination of 2 lbs of ground chuck and 1/2 lb of Italian sausage.
At what temperature should the oven be preheated for the meatballs?
The oven should be preheated to 350°F (175°C).
How long do the meatballs need to bake?
Bake the meatballs for approximately 20 minutes or until they are fully cooked through.
What type of pasta is best for this recipe?
This recipe specifically calls for 16 ounces of thin spaghetti.
How many people does this recipe serve?
This recipe yields approximately 8 to 10 servings.
Is wine included in the tomato sauce?
Yes, the sauce includes 1/8 cup of red wine for added depth of flavor.
How long should the sauce and meatballs simmer together?
The meatballs and sauce should simmer on low heat for at least one hour to allow flavors to meld.
What role does the fennel head play in the recipe?
The chopped fennel head is an optional ingredient that can be sautéed with the onions to add a unique Italian flavor.
What binders are used to hold the meatballs together?
The recipe uses 1 cup of breadcrumbs and 2 eggs to bind the meat mixture.
What kind of canned tomatoes are recommended?
The recipe uses 29 ounces of tomatoes seasoned with basil, garlic, and oregano.
Is there any sugar in the sauce?
Yes, 1 tablespoon of sugar is added to the sauce to balance the acidity of the tomatoes.
How much tomato sauce is required?
The recipe calls for 56 ounces of Italian-style tomato sauce.
Should the onions be prepared differently for the meatballs versus the sauce?
Yes, use 1 small onion finely chopped for the meatballs and 1 medium onion chopped for the sauce.
What seasonings are used in the meatball mixture?
The meatballs are seasoned with minced garlic, fennel seed, garlic salt, black pepper, salt, and Italian seasoning.
How should the garlic be prepared for the sauce?
For the sauce, 1/2 tablespoon of garlic cloves should be chopped.
Is Italian seasoning used in both the meatballs and the sauce?
Yes, Italian seasoning is incorporated into both the meatball mixture and the simmered sauce.
Can I adjust the size of the meatballs?
Yes, the instructions suggest rolling the mixture into meatballs of your desired size.
What is the first step in preparing the sauce?
The first step is heating olive oil in a large saucepan and sautéing the onion, garlic, and optional fennel head.
How much tomato paste is needed?
The recipe requires 6 ounces of Italian-style tomato paste.
Is olive oil used in the meatball mixture?
No, olive oil is used for sautéing the vegetables for the sauce, not in the meatball mixture itself.
What type of garlic salt is used?
The recipe suggests adding garlic salt to taste within the meatball mixture.
Does the recipe use fennel seeds in the sauce?
Yes, 1 teaspoon of fennel seed is added to the sauce components.
When should the spaghetti be cooked?
The spaghetti should be cooked according to package instructions while the sauce and meatballs are simmering.
How should the meatballs be added to the sauce?
Once baked, the meatballs should be gently added to the sauce to prevent them from breaking apart.
Is the garlic in the meatballs minced or chopped?
The recipe calls for 1 teaspoon of minced garlic for the meatball mixture.
Can I make this for a festive gathering?
Yes, the description notes it is perfect for both weeknight dinners and festive gatherings.
Is the sauce supposed to be stirred?
Yes, you should stir the sauce and meatballs occasionally while they simmer for an hour.
What kind of texture do the seasoned tomatoes provide?
Since the tomatoes are chopped and seasoned, they provide a hearty, chunky texture to the sauce.
How much fennel seed goes into the meatballs?
The recipe doesn't specify a separate amount for the meatballs vs sauce in the list, but it's part of the general spice mix; generally a portion of the total is used.
How is the final dish served?
The meatballs and sauce are served generously over the cooked and drained thin spaghetti.