There is nothing like Homemade Spaghetti and Meatballs to please the pallet and tickle the senses. Add to that a specially seasoned sauce, a loaf of garlic bread, and a fresh salad you have a homemade meal fit for a king.
For an authentic meal, it is vital that you use real garlic and onions.
Homemade Spaghetti Sauce
1 jar Ragu Spaghetti Sauce
1 can, diced tomatoes
1 medium onion, minced
1 medium green pepper, chopped
1 cup fresh mushrooms, sliced
1 -2 cloves garlic, minced
fresh herbs, or 1-2 teaspoons Italian Seasoning
olive oil
Directions
In a large saucepan, heat the spaghetti sauce and diced tomatoes until hot. Saute the onion, peppers, and mushrooms (reserving 1/4 cup sliced mushrooms) in olive oil until they are soft. Add to the spaghetti sauce and tomatoes. Add the remaining sliced mushrooms to the sauce. These mushroom slices will hold their shape well and add visual appeal to your meal. Using a garlic press, mince the garlic and add to the sauce. Add Italian seasoning and simmer over low heat while the meatballs are cooking.
Homemade Meatball Ingredients:
1 1/2 pounds ground beef
1/2 – 3/4 cups Italian bread crumbs
1 small onion, diced
Directions:
In a medium bowl, mix the ground beef and onion. Gradually mix in Italian Bread Crumbs. Do not add liquid. Using your hands, continue to mix in the bread crumbs. The mixture should be very firm and form a ball easily. Roll a small amount of mixture in the hand to form 1 inch meatballs. Layer the bottom of a baking pan with meatballs. Place in the oven and bake at 350 degrees for approximately 20 minutes. Meatballs are done when they are nice and brown on the outside . Test the meatball by breaking one open. If the meatball is brown in the center, it is ready.
Remove meatballs from the oven. With a slotted spoon, move the meatballs to the spaghetti sauce. Stir with a wooden spoon being careful not to break up the meatballs.
Simmer over low heat, or in a slow cooker, for 2 hours.
One half hour before serving time, fill a kettle with at least two quarts of salted water and bring to a boil. Add 1/2 pound of thin spaghetti and return to boil. Cook spaghetti for the indicated time, usually 8- 10 minutes. Watch the spaghetti carefully and test for doneness one minute before the minimum time. Spaghetti should be served al dente. It should be firm with a slight “bite” to it. Over cooking spaghetti will result in soft spaghetti that is less than appetizing and can ruin your whole meal.
Homemade Garlic Bread:
1 loaf Italian Bread, sliced
1- 2 cloves garlic
1/2 stick margarine
Directions:
In a small bowl, soften the margarine by hand using an ordinary table fork. Add the minced garlic and mix well. With a table knife, spread the garlic and butter mixture between the slices of Italian Bread. Wrap in aluminum foil and bake in the oven for about 10 minutes until the bread is heated through. If you prefer crusty bread, open the aluminum foil at the top and bake until the bread is golden brown and slightly crunchy.
Serve with the salad of your choice and you will have a delicious homemade spaghetti and meatball dinner that is unrivaled by those you will find in your local restaurants.
