Oven-Roasted Herb-Infused Meatballs with Spaghetti in Tomato Basil Sauce

Ingredients

Main Ingredients:
- 1 pound spaghetti
- 1/2 pound ground beef
- 1/2 pound ground pork
- 1/2 cup crushed saltine crackers
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 tablespoon olive oil

For the Herb-Infused Meatballs:
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon fennel seeds, crushed
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- 1/2 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

For the Tomato Basil Sauce:
- 1 shallot, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon Aleppo pepper
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 cup white wine
- 1 cup chicken stock
- 1 can (28 oz) canned crushed tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped

Instructions

1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F.

2. Prepare the Meatball Mixture: In a large bowl, combine ground beef, ground pork, crushed saltine crackers, milk, onion, garlic, fennel seeds, parsley, Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, sea salt, and black pepper. Mix well until the ingredients are fully incorporated.

3. Shape the Meatballs: Form the mixture into meatballs, about 1.5 inches in diameter, and place them on a lightly greased baking sheet.

4. Roast the Meatballs: Place the baking sheet in the oven and roast the meatballs for 20 minutes, or until they are golden brown and cooked through.

5. Cook the Spaghetti: While the meatballs are roasting, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add spaghetti and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.

6. Prepare the Sauce: In a large saucepan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add shallot and cook until translucent. Add Aleppo pepper and Italian seasoning, stirring until fragrant.

7. Deglaze and Simmer: Pour in the white wine, allowing it to deglaze the pan for about 2 minutes. Add chicken stock and crushed tomatoes. Simmer for 15 minutes.

8. Finish the Sauce: Stir in the roasted meatballs and fresh basil into the sauce. Simmer for an additional 5 minutes.

9. Combine and Serve: Toss the cooked spaghetti with the tomato basil sauce and meatballs. Serve hot, garnished with extra Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese and fresh parsley if desired.

Total Time

PT45M
45 minutes

Type of Dish

Dinner

Keywords

Meatballs, Spaghetti, Italian, Easy Dinner, Oven Roasted, Gourmet, Comfort Food, Tomato Basil Sauce, Weeknight Meal, Hearty

Recipe Yield

Feeds 4 adults

Calories

Total: 1,200 calories

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