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Spaghetti and Meatballs

Spaghetti and Meatballs: Main Image

Quick Facts

Servings: 8
Prep Time: 40 min.
Cook Time: 40 min.
Total: 1 hr. 20 min.
Angie McGowan
As messy as it is satisfying—kids and adults will all leave the table happy.

Ingredients

  • Meatballs2 slices white bread (or wheat bread), toasted and ground finely in food processor
  • 1 1/4 lbs ground turkey (or ground beef)
  • 1/2 large onion, diced finely
  • 2 cloves garlic, diced finely
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 tsp dried Italian herbs
  • 1/4 tsp dried red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 1/4 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • 1 tsp pepper
  • 1/4 cup olive oil, plus 1 Tbs
  • Sauce1/2 large sweet onion, diced finely
  • 2 med carrots, diced finely
  • 1 pinch kosher salt, or to taste
  • 1 pinch pepper, or to taste
  • 2 cloves garlic, diced finely
  • 1 28 oz can Italian tomatoes
  • 1 6 oz can tomato paste
  • 1 tsp dried Italian herbs
  • 1/4 tsp dried red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 1/4 cup red wine
  • Parsley for garnish (optional)
  • Grated Parmesan cheese for garnish (optional)
  • 1 package spaghetti, cooked according to package directions

Directions

  • Meatballs:Toast bread and add to a food processor; pulse until fine.
  • Add bread crumbs, ground meat, onion, garlic, eggs, herbs, red pepper flakes (if desired), paprika, salt, pepper, and 1/4 cup olive oil to a large mixing bowl.
  • Preheat a large skillet. Drizzle with 1 Tbs olive oil. Add meatballs to skillet by spooning them in one at a time.
  • Fry until browned over medium heat and remove to another pan.
  • Cook until almost done in the center because you will finish cooking in the sauce. You may also have to add more oil as you cook all the meatballs.
  • Sauce:In the same skillet you cooked your meatballs in, add onions and carrots with a little kosher salt. Cook until tender.
  • Add garlic and cook a little while longer, just until fragrant.
  • Add canned tomatoes and scrape up all the brown bits left on the bottom.
  • Add tomato paste, herbs, and hot pepper flakes, if desired. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  • Add red wine. Bring to a boil and reduce to a simmer.
  • Add meatballs and simmer for 15–20 minutes. Serve over pasta.
  • If desired, top with fresh parsley and grated Parmesan cheese.
  • Cook pasta according to package instructions and top with meatballs and sauce.

Nutrition Facts

Calories 375
  Calories from Fat 83 (22%)
(16%)Total Fat 11g
(16%)Saturated Fat 3g
Poly-Unsaturated Fat 3g
Mono-Unsaturated Fat 9g
(33%)Cholesterol 99mg
(41%)Sodium 986mg
(23%)Potassium 800mg
Total Carbohydrate 57g
(19%)Dietary Fibre 5g
Sugars 9g
Sugar Alcohols 0g
(51%)Protein 25g
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
Nutrition facts are calculated by a food expert using nutritional values provided by the USDA for common products used as recipe ingredients. Actual nutritional values may differ depending on the amounts or products used and can be affected by cooking methods.

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The information presented here is for informational purposes only and was created by a team of US–registered dietitians and food experts. Consult your doctor, practitioner, and/or pharmacist for any health problem and before using any supplements, making dietary changes, or before making any changes in prescribed medications. Information expires December 2024.