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    Home » Main Course

    Michael’s Spaghetti and Meatballs

    Feb 13, 2006 · Modified: Dec 27, 2020 by Andrea · This post may contain affiliate links · This blog generates income via ads · 1 Comment

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Michael’s Spaghetti and Meatballs - Andrea Meyers

    We usually have some kind of pasta for Sunday dinner, and this recipe for spaghetti and meatballs is my husband’s favorite. He takes over the kitchen and makes the sauce and the meatballs. His philosophy is always to err on the side of more flavor, so he piles on the garlic and onions. He makes his meatballs using a pan saute method, and then drops them into the sauce while it cooks so that the character of the sauce is infused into the meatballs. If you want extra crunchy meatballs, you can deep fry the meatballs and then serve them on the side with a little sauce.

    You can add whatever vegetables you prefer. We try to use what’s in season, and then in winter time will use canned or frozen vegetables as necessary. The sauce is a chunky garden-style, with plenty of mushrooms, onions, peppers, and olives. We often double the recipe and then freeze the sauce and meatballs in 32 ounce containers to pull out for quick meals.

    Michael’s Spaghetti and Meatballs - Andrea Meyers
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    Michael's Spaghetti and Meatballs

    From Michael J. Meyers
    Prep Time30 mins
    Cook Time45 mins
    Total Time1 hr 15 mins
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: Italian
    Keyword: ground beef, pasta, pasta sauce
    Servings: 6
    Calories: 643kcal

    Equipment

    • 3-5 qt mixing bowl
    • #40 scoop
    • frying pan
    • sharp knife
    • 6 qt stock pot

    Ingredients

    MEATBALLS

    • 1 pound ground chuck (80/20)
    • 1 egg
    • ½ tablespoon olive oil
    • ½ medium onion (finely chopped)
    • 3-6 medium cloves garlic (minced)
    • 5-6 stems Italian flat-leaf parsley (chopped)
    • 1 tablespoon basil (minced)
    • 1 tablespoon oregano (minced)
    • ¼ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
    • ¼ cup grated parmesan romano cheese blend
    • ¾ cup Italian breadcrumbs

    SAUCE

    • 2 tablespoons olive oil
    • 6-8 cloves garlic (rough chopped)
    • 1 medium onion (rough chopped)
    • 1 green pepper (cut into ½″ chunks)
    • 1 medium carrot (finely shredded)
    • 1 stalk celery (rough chopped)
    • 8 ounces fresh zucchini (rough chopped)
    • 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
    • 8 ounces fresh mushrooms (sliced or 1 (7 oz) can sliced mushrooms, drained)
    • 2.25 ounces can sliced black olives (drained)
    • 28 ounces concentrated crushed tomatoes
    • ¼ cup water swirled around in the can
    • 1 pound diced tomatoes
    • 1 tablespoon basil
    • 1 tablespoon oregano
    • 6-8 stems Italian flat leaf parsley (chopped)
    • ¼ cup dry red wine (We usually use a cabernet sauvignon (optional); otherwise add ¼ cup water.)
    • 1 pound linguine (cooked, or spaghetti)
    • shredded parmesan romano cheese blend
    US Customary - Metric

    Preparation

    SAUCE

    • In 6-quart pot, saute onions, garlic, peppers in olive oil over medium high heat. Once they are golden, add shredded carrots, celery, fresh mushrooms, zucchini, and balsamic vinegar. Cook for about five minutes. Add olives, basil, oregano, parsley, and wine. Reduce to heat to low and simmer covered for two to three hours.
    • ***While sauce is cooking***

    MEATBALLS

    • Put all the meatball ingredients into the mixing bowl and mash it together with your hands.
    • Scoop a heaping amount of the mixture and roll into a ball, about 1-½″. Makes 20 meatballs.
    • Using a nonstick pan, cook the meatballs over medium heat, turning them over until they are browned on all sides.
    • Remove cooked meatballs and drain them on paper towels. Once they have drained well, add them to the sauce.
    • To serve, place pasta in bowl and top with meatballs and sauce. Sprinkle shredded parmesan romano blend on top.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 643kcal | Carbohydrates: 73g | Protein: 31g | Fat: 27g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 84mg | Sodium: 1565mg | Potassium: 2137mg | Fiber: 11g | Sugar: 24g | Vitamin A: 4314IU | Vitamin C: 66mg | Calcium: 229mg | Iron: 9mg
    Tried this recipe?Share in the comments!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Ben says

      February 20, 2006 at 2:19 am

      On top of spaghetti,
      All covered with cheese,
      I lost my poor meatball,
      When somebody sneezed.

      It rolled off the table,
      And on to the floor,
      And then my poor meatball,
      Rolled out of the door.

      It rolled in the garden,
      And under a bush,
      And then my poor meatball,
      Was nothing but mush.

      The mush was as tasty
      As tasty could be,
      And then the next summer,
      It grew into a tree.

      The tree was all covered,
      All covered with moss,
      And on it grew meatballs,
      And tomato sauce.

      So if you eat spaghetti,
      All covered with cheese,
      Hold on to your meatball,
      Whenever you sneeze.

      Reply

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