Lidia's Spaghetti and Meatballs Recipe - Food.com (2024)

• For the Sauce

• two 35-ounce cans Italian plum tomato (preferably San Marzano)
• ¹⁄₄ cup extra virgin olive oil
• 1 medium onion, chopped (about 1 cup)
• 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 2 bay leaves
• salt
• fresh ground black pepper

• For the Meatballs

• ¹⁄₂ lb ground pork
• ¹⁄₂ lb ground beef
• 1 cup fine dry white bread crumbs
• ¹⁄₃ cup freshly grated parmigiano-reggiano cheese
• ¹⁄₄ cup chopped fresh Italian parsley
• 2 garlic cloves, peeled and chopped fine
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ¹⁄₄ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
• all-purpose flour
• ¹⁄₄ cup olive oil
• ¹⁄₄ cup vegetable oil
• 1 lb spaghetti
• ²⁄₃ cup parmigiano-reggiano cheese (grated, and I want to add that it's important to use FRESHLY grated)

directions

• Pass the tomatoes and their liquid through a food mill fitted with the fine disc.
• Heat 1/4 cup olive oil in a 4- to 5-quart pot over medium high heat. Stir in the onion and cook, stirring, until wilted, about 4 minutes.
• Pour in the tomatoes, crushed red pepper and bay leaves, and season lightly with salt and pepper.
• Bring to a boil, then lower the heat so the sauce is at a lively simmer. Cook, stirring occasionally, 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, crumble the pork and beef into a mixing bowl.
• Sprinkle the bread crumbs, 1/3 cup grated cheese, the parsley, and garlic over the meat.
• Beat the egg with 1 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper in a small bowl until blended. Pour over the meat mixture. Mix the ingredients with clean hands just until evenly blended. Don't overmix.
• Shape the meat mixture into 1-1/2 inch balls.
• Dredge the meatballs in the flour until lightly but evenly coated.
• Heat 1/4 cup olive oil and the vegetable oil in a large, heavy skillet over medium-high heat.
• Slip as many meatballs into the skillet as will fit without crowding. Fry, turning as necessary, until golden brown on all sides, about 6 minutes. Adjust the heat as the meatballs cook to prevent them from overbrowning.
• Remove the meatballs, and repeat if necessary with the remaining meatballs.
• Add the browned meatballs to the tomato sauce and cook, stirring gently with a wooden spoon, until no trace of pink remains at the center of the meatballs, about 30 minutes.
• Stir the spaghetti into the boiling water. Return to a boil, stirring frequently. Cook the pasta, semi-covered, stirring occasionally, until done, about 8 minutes.
• Drain the pasta and return it to the pot. Spoon in about 2 cups of the tomato sauce, tossing well until the pasta is coated with sauce.
• Remove from the heat and toss in 2/3 cup grated cheese. Check the seasoning, and add salt and pepper if necessary.
• Serve the pasta in warm bowls or piled high on a large warm platter.
• Spoon a little more of the sauce over the pasta, and pass the remaining sauce separately. Pass the meatballs family-style in a bowl, or top the bowls or platter of spaghetti with them.