Prepare to embark on a culinary journey that will transform your ordinary pasta night into an extraordinary dining experience! These mouthwatering meatballs, straight from the legendary Cooks Illustrated kitchen, are about to become your new obsession. Imagine tender, perfectly seasoned meatballs nestled in rich marinara sauce, served over a bed of al dente spaghetti - a dish so delicious, it'll have your family fighting for seconds and begging for the recipe!
Prep Time: 20 mins
Cook Time: 30 mins
Total Time: 50 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 egg
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 jar marinara sauce
- 1 lb spaghetti
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Begin by gathering all your ingredients on a clean countertop. This includes 1 lb of ground beef, 1/2 cup of breadcrumbs, 1/4 cup of grated Parmesan cheese, 1 egg, 2 cloves of minced garlic, 1 jar of marinara sauce, 1 lb of spaghetti, and salt and pepper to taste.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, egg, minced garlic, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Use your hands or a fork to mix the ingredients until well combined, but be careful not to overmix as this can make the meatballs tough.
- Once the mixture is combined, shape it into meatballs about 1 to
- 5 inches in diameter. You should end up with approximately 12-16 meatballs, depending on the size you choose.
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add a tablespoon of olive oil. Once the oil is hot, carefully add the meatballs to the skillet, making sure not to overcrowd the pan. You may need to cook them in batches. Brown the meatballs on all sides, which should take about 5-7 minutes.
- After the meatballs are browned, remove them from the skillet and set them aside on a plate. In the same skillet, pour in the jar of marinara sauce, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan for added flavor.
- Return the meatballs to the skillet and gently nestle them into the marinara sauce. Cover the skillet and let the meatballs simmer in the sauce for about 20 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the meatballs to cook through.
- While the meatballs are simmering, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Once boiling, add the spaghetti and cook according to package instructions until al dente, usually around 8-10 minutes.
- Once the spaghetti is cooked, reserve about 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the spaghetti in a colander.
- After the meatballs have simmered for 20 minutes, check to ensure they are cooked through. If desired, you can add a bit of the reserved pasta water to the marinara sauce to reach your desired consistency.
- To serve, place a portion of spaghetti on each plate, top with the meatballs and marinara sauce, and sprinkle with additional grated Parmesan cheese if desired. Enjoy your homemade meatballs and spaghetti!
Tips
- Meat Mixing Magic: When combining ingredients, use a light touch! Overmixing can lead to tough, dense meatballs. Gently fold ingredients until just combined.
- Size Matters: Keep your meatballs uniform in size (1-
- 5 inches) to ensure even cooking. Use a small ice cream scoop or your hands for consistent sizing.
- Browning is Flavor Building: Take time to brown the meatballs properly. Those golden-brown edges create a delicious crust and add depth to the overall flavor.
- Sauce Simmering Secrets: Let the meatballs simmer gently in the marinara sauce. This allows the flavors to meld and ensures the meatballs are cooked through without becoming dry.
- Pasta Water Trick: Always reserve some pasta water. It's liquid gold for adjusting sauce consistency and helping the sauce cling to the pasta.
- Cheese is Key: Use freshly grated Parmesan for the best flavor. Pre-grated cheese simply can't compare!
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 650kcal
Carbohydrates: 65g
Protein: 35g
Fat: 28g
Saturated Fat: 10g
Cholesterol: 120mg
