Spaghetti and Meat Balls

Picture used from the Internet -- we ate all of ours before
I got the camera out!  Oops!

I've always wanted to try to make meatballs.

That sounds so "Italian!"

Words like:

• "Ciao!"
• "Italiano!"
• "Buon appetito!"
• "Grazie"

and

• "Meatballs!"

When we had friends for dinner, I decided that would be the time to try something new!  (Actually, if you're brave enough to do it -- when you're having friends for dinner really is a good time to try a new recipe!)

The meatballs did take a bit more time, but it was well worth the effort!

So -- here's the "ricetta!"  (That's Italian for recipe!)

Spaghetti and Meatballs

Sauce*

2 cans Italian style stewed tomatoes

1 - 8oz can tomato sauce

1/2 tomato sauce can of water

1 can tomato paste

1/4 cup of sugar

2 TBSP Italian seasoning

1 small onion, chopped

Place the above ingredients in a crock pot and cover.  Set on low for 6-8 hours (or high if you're needing it in a hurry!). 

Meatballs

1 pound ground beef

1 egg

1/4 cup milk

1/2 cup bread crumbs

1/2 tsp. salt

1 tsp. oregano

1/2 tsp. ground pepper

1/2 tsp. garlic powder

Place all ingredients in a large bowl, and mix with your hands until well incorporated.  Using a scoop or melon baller, scoop the meat into balls, rolling in your hand to make the shape and size uniform.  Place uncooked meatballs on a foil lined baking sheet and refrigerate until ready to cook.

Prior to placing in the sauce, I would suggest that you brown the meatballs.  I chose to brown them in a large dutch oven, but you can do so in the oven.  Simply brown the meatballs, not necessarily cooking them thoroughly. 

Once the meatballs are browned, either place them in the crockpot, with the sauce, allowing them finish cooking, or pour the slow-cooked sauce over the meatballs in large dutch oven, and allow to simmer, covered, on low until ready to serve.  The latter was how I completed cooking the sauce/meatballs.

*This is a fabulous recipe to double and freeze part of it, for a quick meal on a busy night or to share with a friend in need. 

Also, this is easily made into a vegetarian meal!