This amazing recipe is an adaption to a dish my neighbor made for us last year. Her’s was a slow cooker version, but I found it was easier for me to finish this dish in a sauce pan. Its a quick meal and one of my littlest’s favorites. You can make this entire dish will these Aldi staples.
Another time saver!
Start making the spaghetti per the directions on the box.
Hopefully do a better job adding the dried pasta to the pot.
Next dump all the other ingredients, except the marinara, into the casserole dish.
I also like get my seasonings from Aldi.
Pepper in a grinder
Amazing pink seas salt
Another staple in my house is their dried basil.
This is where you get dirty and mix it all – by hand.
Next pat it out flat in the dish, you will see why…
Now score into 12 even square.
One by one roll each square into a ball and place back into the dish. Its pretty isn’t it?
Cover and cook in the microwave for 4-5 minutes to render the fat and par cook the meatballs.
See all the fat on the bottom of the pan? Your heart will thank me later.
Carefully remove the dish from the microwave and spoon the meatballs into a large pan.
Evenly brown the meatballs by turning them around until they are golden ( or brown like mine!)
Pour marinara and 1/2 cup of water on top and mix. Lower heat to medium low and simmer for 15 minutes or until the meatballs are cooked through.
In the meantime your pasta is probably boiling.
Like mine is.
And when ready you can drain it. I rinse the pasta slightly so it doesn’t stick to much when serving.
Next assembly your lovely meal.
I like to serve mine with a romaine salad or on its own.
Easy Homemade Meatballs with Spaghetti and Sauce
- 1 lb dried spaghetti
- 1 pound of ground beef
- 2/3 cup of dried bread crumbs (or panko bread crumbs)
- 1/3 cup of parmesan cheese
- 1/3 cup sun dried tomato pesto
- 1 egg
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp pepper
- 1 tsp of dried basil (optional)
- 1 jar of marinara sauce
- 8 x 8 casserole dish
Cook Pasta according to the directions on the box. Place all ingredients in the glass casserole dish. Mix until just incorporated. Flatten mixture into dish then score into 12 squares. Using your hand pull off each square and roll into a ball. Then place back into the casserole dish. Microwave meatballs (covered) for 4-5 minutes to render fat and par cook. Carefully remove from the microwave and spoon meatballs into a large sauce pan on medium heat. Brown meatballs on each side and then add jar of marinara sauce and a cup of water to the pan. Cover and cook for 15 minutes or until meatballs are cooked through and sauce thickens slightly.
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