Step into nostalgia with our Old-School Spaghetti recipe, a timeless classic that’s sure to bring back cherished memories. This comforting dish features perfectly cooked spaghetti coated in a rich, savory tomato sauce infused with garlic, herbs, and a hint of olive oil. Embrace the simplicity and heartwarming flavors of this traditional recipe, perfect for a quick, satisfying meal that never goes out of style.
Ingredients
For the Meatballs:
- 1 pound of ground beef
- 1/2 pound of ground pork
- 1/2 cup of breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup of grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup of milk
- 1/4 cup of fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 egg
- Salt and black pepper to taste
For the Tomato Sauce:
- 2 (28-ounce) cans of crushed tomatoes
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons of olive oil
- 1 teaspoon of sugar
- 1 teaspoon of dried oregano
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Fresh basil leaves, torn (for garnish)
For the Spaghetti:
- 12 ounces of spaghetti
- Salt for boiling water
- Grated Parmesan cheese (for serving)
Instructions
- Prepare the Meatballs:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine ground beef and ground pork.
- In a separate bowl, soak breadcrumbs in milk until they become soft.
- Add soaked breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, chopped parsley, finely chopped onion, minced garlic, egg, salt, and black pepper to the meat mixture.
- Mix everything together until well combined, but avoid overmixing, as it can make the meatballs tough.
- Shape the Meatballs:
- With clean hands, gently shape the meat mixture into meatballs, about 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter. This should yield around 20-24 meatballs.
- Cook the Meatballs:
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Brown the meatballs on all sides until they’re cooked through and nicely browned. Remove them from the skillet and set them aside.
- Prepare the Tomato Sauce:
- In the same skillet, add a bit more olive oil if needed.
- Sauté finely chopped onion and minced garlic until they become translucent.
- Pour in the crushed tomatoes, sugar, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper.
- Add the browned meatballs into the sauce.
- Simmer the sauce and meatballs together for about 30-45 minutes over low heat, allowing the flavors to meld. Stir occasionally.
- Cook the Spaghetti:
- Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- Cook the spaghetti according to package instructions until al dente.
- Drain the cooked spaghetti.
- Serve the Old-School Spaghetti:
- Place a portion of cooked spaghetti on each plate.
- Spoon the rich tomato sauce and meatballs over the spaghetti.
- Garnish with torn fresh basil leaves and grated Parmesan cheese.
Old-School Spaghetti is a comforting and hearty meal that brings people together. Its nostalgic flavors and satisfying meatballs make it a classic favorite for both family dinners and special occasions. Enjoy this timeless Italian dish and take a trip down memory lane with every delicious bite!