Today's Tasty Pick! Spaghetti and meatballs

Rain, rain, go away…or don’t! Because there’s nothing like a cosy, comforting bowl of spaghetti and meatballs to turn this gloomy evening into something delicious.

So grab your fork and let’s dive into the perfect rainy evening treat that will warm both your heart and your belly.

How to make Spaghetti and meatballs

Ingredients:

For the meatballs:

500g ground beef (or a mix of beef and pork for extra flavour)
½ cup of breadcumbs
¼ cup of grated Parmesan cheese
¼ cup of chopped fresh parsley
1 large egg
2 cloves of garlic, minced
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
½ teaspoon dried oregano
½ teaspoon dried basil
Olive oil for frying

For the sauce:

2 tablespoon of olive oil
1 onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 can (400g) crushed tomatoes
1 can (200g) tomato paste
1 teaspoon of sugar (optional, to balance acidity)
½ teaspoon of dried oregano
½ teaspoon of dried basil
Salt and pepper to taste
A pinch of red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)

For the Spaghetti:

400g spaghetti
Salt (for the pasta water)

Method:

Prepare the meatballs: In a large bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, parsley, egg, garlic, salt, pepper, oregano and basil.

*Mix everything together until just combined (don’t overmix)
*Shape the mixture into meatballs, about 1-2 inches in diameter.

2. Cook the meatballs: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
*Add meatballs to the skillet in batches, being careful not to overcrowd them.
*Cook for 6-8 minutes, turning occasionally, until the meatballs are browned on all sides. They don’t need to be fully cooked through at this stage.
*Remove the meatballs from the skillet and set aside.

3. Make the sauce: In the same skillet, add olive oil and sauté the onion and garlic over medium heat until softened, about 3-4 minutes.
*Add crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, sugar (if using), oregano, basil, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using).
*Stir to combine and bring to a simmer.
*Carefully add the meatballs back into the sauce. Cover and simmer for 20-30 minutes, or until the meatballs are cooked through and tender.

4. Cook the Spaghetti: Meanwhile, cook the spaghetti according to the package instructions in a large pot of salted boiling water.
*Drain the pasta, reserving a little pasta water for the sauce if needed.

5. Assemble the dish: Serve the spaghetti on plates, and top with the meatballs and sauce.
*Garnish with extra Parmesan and fresh parsley if desired.