SPAGHETTI & MEATBALLS

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Spaghetti and meatballs is a classic comfort-food consisting of long strands of pasta(spaghetti) served with seasoned meatballs and a rich tomato-based sauce. It is known for its hearty flavor, tender meatballs and satisfying combination of pasta, savory meat and tangy tomato sauce.

Typically, meatballs are made from ground meat, combined with ingredients such as breadcrumbs, eggs, garlic and herbs. Thay are browned and then simmered in a flavorful tomato sauce made with tomatoes, onion, garlic and Italian herbs. The sauce and meatballs are served over cooked spaghetti and often topped with grated parmesan cheese.

ABOUT THE RECIPE:

The meatballs can be made with ground chicken, beef, pork or a mixture of meats. I’ve used chicken meatballs for this recipe. Chicken thighs or chicken breasts can be used. I personally prefer chicken thighs, as it is more tender with a juicy texture, and also stays moist for a long time compared to chicken breasts.

INGREDIENTS FOR SPAGHETTI & MEATBALLS:

FOR THE MEATBALLS:

• GROUND CHICKEN THIGHS – 300 GMS
• BREAD CRUMBS – 1/4 CUP
• PARMESAN CHEESE (GRATED) – 1/4 CUP
• ONION (MEDIUM SIZE/BLENDED TO FINE PASTE) – 1 NO.
• GARLIC POWDER – 1 TBSP
• EGG – 1 NO.
• PEPPER POWDER – 1 TSP
• SALT – AS REQUIRED
• OIL – 2 TBSP

FOR COOKING SPAGHETTI (FOR SINGLE SERVING):

• SPAGHETTI – 100 GMS
• WATER – 1 LITRE
• SALT – AS REQUIRED

FOR COOKING SPAGHETTI & MEATBALLS:

• COOKED SPAGHETTI
• COOKED CHICKEN MEATBALLS
• MARINARA SAUCE – 2 CUPS
• PARMESAN CHEESE (GRATED) – 1/4 CUP

HOW TO MAKE SPAGHETTI & MEATBALLS:

• In a mixing bowl, add 300 gms of ground chicken thighs along with bread crumbs, egg, parmesan cheese, blended onion, garlic powder, pepper powder and salt.

• Mix everything well.

• Apply little oil in the palm. Divide the mixture into small bite sized portions and roll it.

• Heat a pan, and add 2 tbsp of oil to it. Once the oil is heated, add the rolled meatballs to it.

• Fry them until it turns light golden brown on all sides. Once it turns light golden brown on all sides, transfer it to a plate.

• To the same pan, add 2~3 cups of marinara sauce. Cook it on medium-high flame until it starts to boil.

• Once it starts to boil, add the cooked meatballs to it.

• Mix it well. Turn the flame to medium-low, cover it and cook it for about 15 to 20 minutes.

• After about 15 to 20 minutes open the lid. The meatballs would’ve absorbed all the flavors from the sauce, and will have a soft and juicy texture to it.
• At this stage, turn off the flame.

• To cook the spaghetti, boil 1 litre of water in a cooking pot along with salt.

• Once the water starts to boil, add the spaghetti to it. Cook it until it has a tender, but still slightly firm texture.

• Pour the pasta into a colander to remove the water.

• The meatball sauce can either be layered on top of the cooked pasta, or can be mixed with the pasta. I usually prefer layering the sauce over the cooked pasta.
• To layer the cooked pasta and sauce, add the cooked spaghetti to a plate.

• Then add the cooked meatballs along with the sauce over it.

• Finally, grate some fresh parmesan on top and serve.

YUMMY AND DELICIOUS SPAGHETTI & MEATBALLS IS READY.

VARIATIONS:

• Ground beef or pork can also be used for the meatballs.
• Ground chicken thighs or chicken breasts can be used for this recipe.
• Spaghetti can be replaced with any kind of pasta.

PRO TIPS:

• Apply little oil to the palm while rolling the meat mixture. This helps to roll the meatballs easily without sticking.
• Cook the meatballs, until it turns light golden brown on all sides.
• Add the meatballs to the sauce, cover it and cook it on medium-low flame for at least 15 to 20 minutes. This helps the meatballs to absorb all the flavors from the sauce.
• Cook the pasta until it has a tender, but still slightly firm texture.