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Calabrian Style Meatballs (Simmered In Butter-Onion Tomato Sauce)

Here's how you make Calabrian Style Meatballs (Simmered In Butter-Onion Tomato Sauce)
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  • Servings: 6
  • Prep: 30m
  • Cook: 60m
  • The following recipe serves 6 people.

Ingredients

The ingredients are:
  • FOR SAUCE
  • 2 cans (28 ounce) tomato sauce (pureed tomato sauce, 800 g)
  • 3/4 cup water
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter
  • 2 yellow onions (peeled and halved through the root)
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
  • 1/2 teaspoon granulated sugar (for acidity if necessary)
  • FOR MEATBALLS
  • 100 grams fresh breadcrumbs (white bread, 1 cup)
  • 8 tablespoons milk
  • 8 ounces ground beef
  • 8 ounces ground pork
  • 100 grams Parmesan cheese (grated, 1 cup)
  • 15 grams parsley (Italian parsley, finely chopped, 1/3 cup)
  • 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, or to taste
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 garlic cloves (pressed or very finely minced)
  • FOR PASTA & CHEESE
  • 1 pound dry spaghetti pasta
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (freshly grated, for serving)
We recommend you get your ingredients ready before you start cooking. Once you're ready, here are the steps to making this delicious recipe

How to Make

  • Step 1: Place all the ingredients for the sauce in a dutch oven or heavy-bottomed sauce pan.

  • Step 2: Swirl about 3/4 cup (200 ml) water in the cans and add to sauce mixture.

  • Step 3: Simmer over medium heat while preparing the meatballs (about 20-30 minutes, depending on quick you are).

  • Step 4: Mix all the ingredients for the meatballs in a large bowl, mixing well with your hands.

  • Step 5: Using an ice cream scoop, scoop out all the meat mixture first, and then roll them out (you'll 20-24 pieces).

  • Step 6: Place them into the sauce, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer for 15-20 minutes until the meatballs are cooked through.

  • Step 7: Using a slotted spoon, take out the meatballs and place them in a serving bowl, and set aside.

  • Step 8: Taste the sauce, if it tastes acidic, then adjust with a bit of sugar.

  • Step 9: Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, and cook spaghetti according to package instructions, al dente its going into the sauce later and drain.

  • Step 10: Add pasta to sauce in pot and toss to coat.

  • Step 11: Divide pasta among 6 plates and top each serving with meatballs (about 4 each). Sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese and serve immediately.


We hope you enjoy this recipe!

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