There’s no pasta more iconic than Spaghetti with Meatballs – This Italian comfort food is an all-time favorite among kids and grown-ups!
Meatballs are a staple dish of Italian cuisine, we eat them simply stir-fried in olive oil or in a mouth-watering simple tomato sauce, often always accompanied by pasta.
Growing up, when my mum was making spaghetti with meatballs, it was always a feast around the table. I can tell you she makes the best meatballs in the world. Luckily, I had the chance to witness her making this recipe thousands times, and during the years I’ve practiced the art of making meatballs.
This healthy version of Italian Spaghetti with meatballs is lighter than the traditional one, so that you can enjoy a plate of comfort food without feeling guilty at all. This recipe is also quicker since I love to cook the tomato sauce for a shorter time than usual, to better preserve at the best the refreshing flavors of tomatoes and basil. The meatballs are also smaller not only they cook faster this way, but it’s also a great trick to keep an eye on portion-sizes.
To make my spaghetti with meatballs even more healthier, I’ve used Garofalo whole wheat spaghetti. I love the texture and health benefits of using whole wheat pasta, not long ago I’ve talked about it exhaustively in this awesome vegan spaghetti with broccoli pesto recipe.
If you have time, you can also make homemade fresh pasta. I guarantee it’s an experience worth trying. It’s the perfect treat for a Sunday meal or if you want to really impress your guests. Once you try it, you’ll soon see that it’s not difficult at all.
Don’t forget that real Italians put loads of Parmesan cheese on top of their pasta. It’s not the lightest dairy option on the market but 2 tbsp are just 44 kcal, so make yourself a gift and cover your spaghetti with meatballs with some tasty freshly grated high quality Parmesan cheese.
There’s also another favorite way to eat meatballs, simply as they are, screaming hot and utterly tasty. My favorite recipe comes from my foodie friend and Masterchef winner Luca Manfè. Sometime ago he gave me the recipe for one of the best meatballs in the world, and it’s obviously made by his mum. Three words: impossible to resist!
- 350gr /12oz Spaghetti ( I used Garofalo whole wheat spaghetti)
- 1 lb. ground lean beef
- 1 ciabatta roll
- Milk
- ½ cup /100gr grated Parmesan
- 1 small minced white onion
- 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves
- 1 egg
- 2 yolks
- 2 tbsp finely chopped basil
- 1 ½ tsp lemon zest
- 2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 2 Tbsp Extravirgin Olive Oil
- 2 cans peeled tomatoes, chopped, seeds and juice discarded
- a bunch of basil leaves
- 1 bay leave
- 1 garlic clove, gently crushed
- 2 tbp extravirgin olive oil
- For the meatballs, take the ciabatta roll and cut it in small cubes. Put in a bowl, cover it with milk and let soak for a while.
- In a large bowl mix all the remaining ingredients beside the olive oil.
- Grab the bread and squeeze it to release most of the milk. Then add it to the bowl and mix all together until all ingredients are combined.
- Form the meatballs. Use around 2oz of meat. Put the meat in the palm of my hand, make it round and then press it to make it a bit flat.
- Take a very large frying pan. Add the olive oil and get it screaming hot. Add the meatballs and don’t touch them for at least 3 minutes. You want a nice crust before turning them otherwise they’ll fall apart.
- Turn them on the other side and let cook for 3 minutes. Use the juice that is coming out from the meat to baste the meatballs When you have seared both sides, turn the heat off. They will continue to cook with the sauce.
- Meanwhile, prepare the tomato sauce: heat a sauce pan with 2 tbsp of oil and garlic.
- Gently stir-fry the garlic until golden then discard, reduce the heat and add chopped tomatoes and a couple of basil leaves. Season with salt, pepper and a pinch of sugar, and cook for about 10-15 mins.
- half-way through cooking time, add the meatballs and finish to cook all the ingredients together.
- In the meantime cook the spaghetti in a pot of lightly salted boiling water, for about 8 mins or al dente, according to pasta type.
- Drain the pasta and toss into the pan with the meatballs sauce. Stir all together, grate fresh Parmesan cheese on top and serve immediately. Enjoy!
