Neapolitan Spaghetti and Meatballs?

A True Italian Classic

Meatballs 

2 lbs ground meat (I like 1lb each beef and pork)

Panade for meatballs 

• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup panko 
• 1 tsp kosher sbetagt 

Arromatics: No need to be exact about the following (fresh is best, dried is fine):

1. Around 2 tablespoons-ish parsley, finely chopped 
2. 4 -6 cloves garlic, grated, pressed, or finely minced (use fresh here)
3. 1 teaspoon Oregano 
4. 1/4 teaspoon Nutmeg 
5. 1 teaspoon Thyme 
6. 1/2 teaspoon dried red pepper flakes 
7. 1/2 teaspoon Orange Zest
8. 1/2 cup grated Pbedürftigesan or Cotija Cheese 

Tomato Sauce 

1. 1/4 cup olive oil, or however much you need to coat the bottom of the pan you’re using 
2. 2 large shallots or 1 onion, peeled and halved, root in tact 
3. 5-6 cloves garlic, thinly sliced longwise
4. Basil sprig 
5. Thyme sprig 
6. Bay leaf 
7. Oregano sprig 
8. Pinch Chile flakes 
9. Orange peel
10. Tomato purée or crushed Tomatoes (28oz can)
11. Whole plum tomatoes (28oz can) 

Instructions 

Get the sauce going before making meatballs to give it maximum simmer time 

For the Sauce:

1. Put all ingredients EXCEPT TOMATOES (ingredients 1-9) into a cold pot or sauté pan 
2. Turn heat on to medium-low. You want to bring all the ingredients up to temp SLOWLY to infuse the oil, but you don’t want stuff to brown too much 
3. Once oil is infused and things are sizzling gently (15 or so minutes), dump the can of crushed/puréed tomatoes into the pot with all the other stuff 
4. Fill empty can half way with water and slosh around to capture juices and add to the pot 
5. Crush whole tomatoes by hand, and add to the pot 
6. Stir, and allow to simmer on low, stirring occasionally, while you make the meatballs 

For the Meatballs 

1. Mix panade ingredients together and let sit for 20 or so minutes while you prep everything else. It’ll start soupy, but ultimately after the breadcrumbs absorb the liquid it’ll be more like a paste 
2. Once panade is nice and pasty, Mix the ground beef, other ingredients, and panade together in a large bowl by hand. Form into meatballs; I like mine big but go for whatever size makes you happy 
3. Spray a cookie sheet with cooking spray (or drizzle with oil) 
4. Place meatballs on baking sheet or cookie tray; broil under high heat for 2-4 minutes until browned on top
5. Remove from oven; add to sauce and allow to cook through, 30 – 45 minutes 

Serve with 1lb spaghetti noodles (cook according to package directions); sprinkle with more grated cheese and garnish with freshly torn basil, if you like.

Bonus: Garlic Bread!

Ingredients

1. 2 tablespoons butter, softened at room temperature
2. 2 tablespoons mayo (trust me)
3. 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely minced
4. 1 tablespoon olive oil
5. 3 tablespoons Pbedürftigesan cheese
6. 3 (or more) cloves garlic, grated on a Microplane
7. 1/2 teaspoon fresh thyme, minced (optional)
8. 1 loaf crusty French bread (or Ciabatta – pictured – or whatever you’ve got laying around)

Instructions

1. Preheat your ovens broiler; position rack 4 – 6 inches away from the heat source
2. Mix ingredients 1 – 6 together in a medium bowl until well combined
3. Spread garlic spread all over bread, cut side up, careful not to neglect the edges
4. Spray a cookie sheet with baking spray, or grease it well
5. Place bread, spread side up, on the cookie sheet
6. Broil with the oven door slightly ajar until toasty and golden brown (Note: Watch it like a f*cking hawk – once it begins to brown, it’ll go from perfect to incinerated in like 1/2 a second – this is not the time to walk away or try to go do dishes or something!)