So, I love pasta a lot, and I try to create different recipes like this Spicy Spaghetti and Meatballs recipe that I can share with everyone.
The sauce is really simple, which I like in a spicy spaghetti sauce. I think spaghetti sauce should focus on the tomatoes, and that’s why I always go with the San Marzano, the king of tomatoes. I like to cook it for around 2 hours, but the best part about this sauce is that thanks to one special ingredient, the sauce can be cooked as long or as short as you need and still come out tasting like you cooked it for 4 hours in your Italian grandmothers summer home looking out on the countryside.
Spicy Spaghetti and Meatballs Recipe
Ingredients
Sauce Ingredients
- 2 cans tomato - San Marzano whole or diced
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 1 tablespoon garlic - minced
- 1 tablespoon red pepper flakes - crushed
- ½ teaspoon oregano
- 6 leaves basil - sliced thinly
- 1 rind Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon sugar (white sugar)
Meatball Ingredients
- 2 packages ground beef (minced beef)
- 1 tablespoon garlic - minced
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese - grated
- ¼ cup dried breadcrumbs
- ¼ cup milk
- ¼ cup parsley - minced
- 8 leaves basil - minced
- ½ teaspoon oregano - dried
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes - crushed
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 medium egg - optional
Instructions
Sauce Instructions
- Start in a heavy bottom saucepot, bring to medium heat, and then add the olive oil. Once it has warmed up a bit, add the pancetta and cook for 4 minutes until it browned.
- Then add the garlic, oregano, and pepper flakes. Make sure to stir often to ensure the garlic doesn’t burn, trust me, that’s a nightmare. After about 3 to 4 minutes, you must be able to smell the spices. This means it’s time to add the cans of tomatoes, basil, and the parmesan rind.
- Cook the sauce for at least 20 minutes, and then it should be ready to go! Season with salt and pepper to taste and serve, obviously with meatballs
Meatball Instructions
- First, pre-heat an oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit, put the breadcrumbs and milk in a separate bowl, and allow the milk to rehydrate the breadcrumbs, set aside for 2 to 3 minutes.
- Combine the beef and all other ingredients in a large bowl, adding the breadcrumbs last, and mix with your hands. If you have a thing about touching the raw meat, get a child to do it. You can brown them ahead of time in a skillet if you like for colour, but I find they taste great cooked in the oven for 25 minutes.
- Combine with the magical sauce you made, some pasta, and an incredible amount of parmesan, and there you have it!