Get ready to transform your ordinary dinner into an extraordinary culinary experience with Emeril's legendary Spaghetti and Meatballs! This isn't just another pasta recipe – it's a mouthwatering journey through Italian-inspired comfort food that will have your family begging for seconds. Imagine perfectly golden, juicy meatballs nestled in rich marinara sauce, served over perfectly cooked spaghetti – a dish so delicious, it'll make restaurant-quality meals look like child's play.
Prep Time: 20 mins
Cook Time: 1 hrs
Total Time: 1 hrs 20 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 6 servings
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1/2 lb ground pork
- 1/2 cup bread crumbs
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup chopped parsley
- 1 egg
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 jar marinara sauce
- 1 lb spaghetti
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine ground beef, ground pork, bread crumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, chopped parsley, minced garlic, and egg. Mix ingredients thoroughly with your hands until well incorporated.
- Season the meat mixture with salt and pepper. Gently form the mixture into uniform meatballs, approximately
- 5 inches in diameter. Aim to create about 12-15 meatballs.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add a small amount of olive oil to prevent sticking. Carefully place meatballs in the skillet, ensuring they are not overcrowded.
- Brown the meatballs on all sides, rotating them carefully to achieve an even, golden-brown exterior. This process should take about 8-10 minutes.
- Pour the marinara sauce into a large saucepan. Gently transfer the browned meatballs into the sauce, allowing them to simmer and cook through completely.
- Reduce heat to low and let the meatballs simmer in the sauce for approximately 30-40 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
- While meatballs are simmering, bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add spaghetti and cook according to package instructions until al dente, typically 8-10 minutes.
- Drain the spaghetti in a colander, reserving a small amount of pasta water. Return pasta to the pot and toss with a little olive oil to prevent sticking.
- Plate the spaghetti, top with meatballs and marinara sauce. Garnish with additional grated Parmesan cheese and chopped parsley if desired.
Tips
- Use a mix of ground meats (beef and pork) for deeper, more complex flavor
- Always mix meatball ingredients with your hands to ensure even distribution
- Keep meatballs uniform in size for consistent cooking
- Don't overcrowd the skillet when browning – this ensures a perfect golden crust
- Let meatballs simmer slowly in sauce to develop rich, deep flavors
- Reserve a little pasta water in case you need to adjust sauce consistency
- For extra richness, use freshly grated Parmesan, not pre-packaged cheese
- Allow meatballs to rest in sauce for maximum flavor absorption
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 600kcal
Carbohydrates: 55g
Protein: 35g
Fat: 28g
Saturated Fat: 12g
Cholesterol: 120mg
