Classic, comforting, and soothing for the soul – a hug in a bowl, if you will.
Tender, juicy meatballs smothered in a rich, flavourful tomato sauce and served over a bed of perfectly cooked spaghetti – it’s the ultimate mid-week comfort food!
What you need
Knife
Ingredients
6 SERVINGS
For the meatballs:
- 1 lb (450g) ground beef
- 1 lb (450g) ground pork
- 1 cup (60g) breadcrumbs
- ½ cup (50g) grated Parmesan cheese
- ¼ cup (60ml) milk
- 2 large eggs
- ¼ cup (15g) finely chopped parsley
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
For the sauce:
- 2 tbsp. olive oil
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 bottle passata
- 3 tbsp. tomato paste
- 1 tbsp. sugar
- 1 tsp. dried basil
- ½ tsp. dried oregano
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
For serving:
- 16 oz (500g) pack spaghetti
- 1 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1 cup chopped fresh basil
- ½ cup crispy chilli oil (optional)
Preparation
Step 1
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Step 2
In a large bowl, combine ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese, milk, eggs, parsley, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper. Mix until well combined, but avoid overmixing.
Step 3
Roll the meat mixture into golf-ball-sized meatballs and place them on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until they are cooked through and slightly browned.
Step 4
While the meatballs are baking, prepare the sauce. In a large pot or deep skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add chopped onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for another minute.
Step 5
Stir in tomato paste, passata, sugar, dried basil, and dried oregano. Season with salt and black pepper. Simmer the sauce for 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Step 6
Add the cooked meatballs to the sauce and let them simmer together for an additional 10-15 minutes.
Step 7
While the sauce is simmering, cook the spaghetti according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and stir pasta in through the sauce, if too thick, loosen up with a few spoons of pasta water.
Step 8
To serve, divide the cooked spaghetti among six plates, top with meatballs, and garnish with grated parmesan cheese, chopped fresh basil and (optional) crispy chilli.
✨ RECIPE NOTES ✨
- Make it gluten-free: Use gluten-free breadcrumbs and gluten-free spaghetti.
- Make it dairy-free: Substitute the parmesan cheese with a dairy-free cheese alternative.
- Storage: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave.
- Why do you guys add chilli to everything? If you can’t tell by now, we’re of the mind that a bit of heat is the perfect finishing touch for most meals! Crispy chilli adds an extra crunchy texture as well as a delicious kick to an already delicious meal. If you can tolerate it, definitely give it a try!
