American
Italian American Spaghetti and Meatballs
Tender beef-and-pork meatballs simmer briefly in a bright tomato sauce, then meet spaghetti, Parmesan, and basil in a composed Italian American supper.
6 servings · 35 minutes prep · 55 minutes cook
Ingredients
Beef and Pork Meatballs
- 1 cup fresh breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 1 pound 85% lean ground beef
- 1/2 pound ground pork
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup Parmesan, finely grated
- 1/4 cup flat-leaf parsley, chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, finely grated
- 1 1/2 teaspoons Diamond Crystal kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Tomato Sauce and Pasta
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
- 3 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
- Two 28-ounce cans crushed tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon Diamond Crystal kosher salt
- 1/4 cup torn basil leaves
- 1 pound spaghetti
- 1/2 cup Parmesan, for serving, finely grated
Directions
Shape and Brown
- Heat the broiler to high with a rack about 5 inches from the element. Combine the breadcrumbs and milk; stand 5 minutes. Add the beef, pork, egg, Parmesan, parsley, grated garlic, salt, and pepper. Fold just until uniform.
- Shape 18 meatballs, about 1 1/2 inches each. Arrange on a sheet pan brushed with 1 teaspoon / 5 ml of the olive oil and broil 5 inches from the heat, turning once, until browned, 8 to 10 minutes.
Simmer the Sauce
- Cook the onion in the remaining 1 tablespoon plus 2 teaspoons / 25 ml extra-virgin olive oil over medium heat until translucent, 7 minutes. Add sliced garlic for 30 seconds, then the tomatoes and remaining salt. Simmer uncovered 20 minutes.
- Lower the browned meatballs into the sauce. Simmer gently until their centers register 160°F / 71°C, 12 to 15 minutes. Stir in half the basil.
Finish the Spaghetti
- Boil the spaghetti in salted water until 1 minute shy of al dente. Reserve 1 cup / 240 ml pasta water, drain, and toss the pasta with about 3 cups / 720 ml sauce over medium heat, loosening with pasta water until glossy.
- Divide pasta among warm bowls. Top with meatballs and additional sauce; finish with the remaining Parmesan and basil.
