My Perfect Spaghetti & Meatballs Recipe

ground beef

🥗Healthier: ground turkey

💰Cheaper: ground pork

Ground turkey is lower in fat, while ground pork is often less expensive.

parmesan cheese

🥗Healthier: nutritional yeast

💰Cheaper: grated cheese blend

Nutritional yeast is lower in calories and adds a cheesy flavor, while a cheese blend can be more budget-friendly.

Dice two small yellow onions.

Smash a whole head of garlic and mince six cloves until fine.

Trim off the rind of a wedge of parmesan cheese.

In a heavy bottomed pan or Dutch oven, heat a splash of olive oil over medium heat.

Add the diced onion to the pan with a pinch of salt and stir for about five minutes until translucent.

Add the minced garlic to the pan and stir for another 1 to 2 minutes, scraping the edges to avoid burning.

Reserve half of the onion and garlic mixture for the meatballs.

Add tomato paste and a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes to the pan, stirring until it becomes a robust, brownish red color.

Add canned tomatoes, crushing them by hand for different textures, and season with salt, pepper, and sugar to cut acidity.

Add the parmesan rind and a few sprigs of basil to the sauce, cover, and let it simmer on low heat.

Chop fresh basil for the meatballs.

In a large bowl, combine breadcrumbs, grated parmesan cheese, the reserved onion and garlic mixture, two whole eggs, and a splash of milk. Mix and let it sit for five minutes to hydrate the breadcrumbs.

In a separate pan, add olive oil and sprinkle in panko breadcrumbs to toast until golden brown, stirring carefully.

Pour toasted breadcrumbs onto a paper towel-lined baking sheet to drain excess oil.

Add hydrated breadcrumb mixture to the bowl with ground beef and ground pork, along with chopped basil, salt, and pepper.

Mix the meat mixture gently with gloved hands until just combined, being careful not to overmix.

Shape the meat mixture into golf ball-sized meatballs and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens