Spaghetti and Meatballs
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Spaghetti and Meatballs is an Italian-American dish consisting of meatballs and tomato sauce atop spaghetti. The coupling of large meatballs (based on the smaller, sauce-less polpette) and pasta, an infrequent pairing in Italy popularized in U.S. restaurants by immigrants in the early 20th century---appealed to American palates habituated to meals that included both a meat and a starch.
More about the politics of Spaghetti and Meatballs from The Politics of Cuisine on Instagram.
There are probably a bazillion recipes, including your grandmothers'. This one is from here.
Ingredients
Spaghetti:
1 pound spaghetti
Salt, for pasta water
Meatballs:
Meatballs:
1 1/4 pounds ground sirloin
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce, eyeball it
1 egg, beaten
1/2 cup Italian bread crumbs, a couple of handfuls
1/4 cup grated Parmesan, Parmigiano-Reggiano or Romano cheese
2 cloves garlic, chopped
Salt and pepper
Sauce:
Sauce:
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, 2 turns of the pan
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
4 cloves garlic, crushed or chopped
1 small onion, finely chopped
1 cup beef stock, available on soup aisle in market in small paper boxes
1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
A handful chopped flat-leaf parsley
10 leaves fresh basil leaves, torn or thinly sliced
Grated cheese, such as Parmigiano-Reggiano or Romano, for passing at table
Crusty bread or garlic bread, for passing at the table
Directions
Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
Place a large pot of water on to boil for spaghetti.
Place a large pot of water on to boil for spaghetti.
When it boils, add salt and pasta and cook to al dente.
Mix beef and Worcestershire, egg, bread crumbs, cheese, garlic, salt and pepper.
Mix beef and Worcestershire, egg, bread crumbs, cheese, garlic, salt and pepper.
Roll meat into 1 1/2 inch medium-sized meatballs and place on nonstick cookie sheet or a cookie sheet greased with extra-virgin olive oil.
Bake balls 10 to 12 minutes, until no longer pink.
Heat a deep skillet or medium pot over moderate heat.
Heat a deep skillet or medium pot over moderate heat.
Add oil, crushed pepper, garlic and finely chopped onion.
Sauté 5 to 7 minutes, until onion bits are soft.
Add beef stock, crushed tomatoes, and herbs.
Bring to a simmer and cook for about 10 minutes.
Toss hot, drained pasta with a few ladles of the sauce and grated cheese.
Toss hot, drained pasta with a few ladles of the sauce and grated cheese.
Turn meatballs in remaining sauce.
Place pasta on dinner plates and top with meatballs and sauce and extra grated cheese.
Serve with bread or garlic bread (and some good chianti!)
4 servings