Spaghetti Meatballs Recipe

Ingredients

1.5–2 lbs Ground Beef Chuck (80/20)

¼ cup Panko breadcrumbs

1 large egg (for meatball)

1 package spaghetti seasoning mix

1 tbsp olive oil

2 cloves garlic (minced)

15 oz can tomato sauce

6 oz can tomato paste

½ can water (using tomato sauce can to measure)

1.5 tsp mushroom seasoning

1 tsp dried oregano

1 tsp dried basil

2 tsp sugar (to taste)

1 medium zucchini or yellow squash (quartered lengthwise and diced)

1 package spaghetti noodles

Shredded parmesan, toasted French bread

Instructions

1. In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, spaghetti seasoning, panko, and the egg (if you are planning on making meatballs for this delicious meatballs recipe). Mix gently until just combined—overworking the meat can make meatballs tough. Form into 2-inch balls, or leave as loose meat for a traditional Italian cuisine meat sauce.

2. Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the meatballs (or ground beef) and the garlic. Sear until the meat is golden brown on all sides.

3. Stir in the tomato sauce, water, and tomato paste. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot and simmer for 30 minutes. This allows the meat to fully cook.

4. Stir in the diced zucchini/squash, oregano, and basil. Simmer uncovered for another 15 minutes. This keeps the squash tender-crisp rather than mushy and allows the sauce to thicken slightly. Add mushroom seasoning.

5. Taste the sauce. If the tomatoes are too acidic, stir in the sugar.

6. While the sauce finishes, boil the spaghetti noodles in water until al dente. Drain and plate the noodles, topped with a generous ladle of sauce and meatballs from your favorite spaghetti recipe.

Quick Tips

The Pasta Water: Before draining your noodles, save a splash of the starchy cooking water. If your sauce gets too thick, a tablespoon of this water will make it silky and help it stick to the pasta.

Veggie Timing: If you prefer your zucchini very soft, add it at the 30-minute mark. If you like a little "snap," add it only for the final 10 minutes.