SPAGHETTI & MEATBALLS

Sometimes I want and crave really simple things, like spaghetti and meatballs for example. 

Typically I have spaghetti with a ground meat sauce or no meat at all but for this craving I specifically wanted meatballs. 

I love making a large pot of tomato sauce every few weeks because with one pot of sauce you can make so many meals. I use canned tomatoes to make my sauce and typically buy a combination of them whenever they are on sale. ( i.e. crushed, diced, whole peeled, sauce, etc) 

I learned a trick a while back about keeping meatballs moist by adding a piece of bread soaked in milk and I never looked back. It adds texture and moisture and I promise your meatballs will never be dry! If you have an aversion to milk, you can add a little milk alternative but I wouldn’t go overboard.

This recipe is great to make if you want a heartier meal in half the time and as promised fits right in with my 15 ingredient or less recipes.

Spaghetti & Meatballs: 

1 pkg of ground turkey, 93/7 ground turkey preferred 

1/2 pack of sweet Italian turkey or pork sausage, with the casing removed

1 slice of bread 

1c. of milk 

3 cans of mixed tomatoes( 1 can of crushed tomatoes, 1 can of tomato sauce, 1 can of whole peeled tomatoes) 

1c. your desired liquid (chicken, vegetable stock or water) 

1 medium sized onion, peeled and diced 

6 cloves of garlic, peeled and thinly sliced 

Parmesan rinds, optional 

Smoked Paprika, optional 

Butter

Ground Garlic 

Salt 

Pepper 

your favorite pasta 

Tomato Sauce: 

Heat a small amount of oil over medium heat in a large format pot and sauté onions and garlic for about 6 minutes. Hand crush whole peeled tomatoes so you get some whole and broken pieces and add to the onions, along with 2 other cans of tomatoes. Add in your desired liquid and bring tomato sauce to a simmer. Once sauce begins to simmer, add in sugar, Parmesan rinds if using and your desired seasonings and continue to simmer for 10 minutes. Next stir in cold butter and taste. If sauce is too thick add in a little more of your desired liquid. Add in seared meatballs and continue to simmer over a low flame until meatballs are cooked through. 

Meatballs: 

Soak the slice of bread in the milk and set aside. 

In a large bowl mix raw ground turkey, fresh raw sausage, your desired seasonings and the soaked piece of bread and mix until all ingredients are incorporated and soaked bread is no longer visible. Add in small amounts of milk if the mixture seems too dry. It should be smooth and moist but not overly wet.

Wet hands with warm water and section off meat, rolling in your hand to form a large ball.  Place meatballs on a flat surface until all balls are rolled. 

In a skillet over medium heat, sear meatballs in a small amount of oil on both sides. Once brown on both sides remove from skillet and add into simmering tomato sauce. 

Spaghetti & Meatballs: 

Make your favorite pasta as normal. Combine cooked spaghetti and tomato sauce and top with meatballs. Serve immediately and eat fabulously.