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    Home » International Cuisines » Italian Cuisine » Spaghetti and Meatballs with Grandma's Sauce

    Spaghetti and Meatballs with Grandma's Sauce

    Published: Aug 11, 2011 · Modified: Feb 5, 2021 by HWC Magazine · 2 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Spaghetti & Meatballs with Grandma's Sauce / https://www.hwcmagazine.com

    Spaghetti and Meatballs with Grandma's Sauce is a timeless classic recipe passed on for generations with some gluten-free and egg free options.

    Spaghetti and Meatballs with Grandmas's Sauce / https://www.hwcmagazine.com

    A recipe that is past on from generation to generation is a timeless treasure.  

    It all starts out with an onion studded with cloves sautéing in a pan...and then the magic begins.

    Spaghetti and Meatballs with Grandmas's Sauce / https://www.hwcmagazine.com

    Why you are going to love Spaghetti and Meatballs with Grandma's Sauce

    I have already started cooking the homemade tomato sauce and meatballs and the wonderful aroma coming from my kitchen is out of this world.  The lovely savory fragrance has even stirred the teenagers from their rooms to find out the status on when dinner will be ready.

    Believe it or not we never ever had jarred tomato sauce throughout my childhood. Tomato Basil special sauce was alway made from scratch and had that all day slow cooked delicious flavors.

    ½ onion studded with whole cloves frying in a pan.

    History of Italian Meatballs

    Spaghetti with tomato sauce and meatballs on the side, is a dish from Italy. These dishes have been around since the 1800's in Italy. However, In Italy, they usually never serve spaghetti with the meatballs together but as separate dishes.

    Homemade spaghetti sauce on the edge of a wooden spoon.

    Spaghetti and Meatballs together is an American Tradition

    Serving both the spaghetti along with the meatballs only occurred after this dish was brought to America and to suite to the needs of the local residents in the Italian restaurants. In Italy, they generally serve many courses as part of the meal.

    Spaghetti and Meatballs with Grandmas's Sauce / https://www.hwcmagazine.com

    Meal courses in Italy

    1. The Italian appetizer (Antipasto) serves cold cuts and other small regional items.
    2. The first course (Primo) usually serves a soup or the pasta.
    3. The second course or main course (Secondo) is usually meat poultry or fish.
    4. The side dishes (Contorni) such as a vegetable or salad.
    5. Dessert (Dolce) is served at the end of the meal and usually is fruit or cheese and you may also be offered an espresso coffee and/or a digestive.

    Spaghetti and Meatballs with Grandma's Sauce / https://www.hwcmagazine.com

    I tribute the recipe, "Spaghetti and Meatballs with Grandma's Sauce" to my loving, patient and enduring mom.

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    Hungry For More? Subscribe to our Newsletter and follow along on Facebook, You Tube, Instagram, and Pinterest for all the latest updates.

    Spaghetti and Meatballs with Grandma's Sauce / https://www.hwcmagazine.com

    Spaghetti and Meatballs with Grandma's Sauce

    Spaghetti and Meatballs with Grandma's Sauce is a timeless classic recipe passed on for generations with some gluten-free and egg free options.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Mains
    Cuisine: Italian
    Cook Time: 45 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 45 minutes minutes
    Servings: 8
    Calories: 531kcal
    Author: HWC Magazine

    Ingredients

    Grandma's Tomato Sauce (makes about 4 cups)

    • 3 tablespoon olive oil
    • 4 cloves garlic
      peeled and sliced
    • 1 onion
      medium peeled and cut in half.
    • 12-15 whole cloves
      to stud the onion with.
    • 56 oz canned tomatoes
      crushed tin tomatoes) (My kids dislike chunky tomato sauce so I blend one half of tomatoes in blender before adding to sauce)
    • 6 oz tomato paste
    • ½ cup red wine
    • 1 teaspoon sugar
      or sugar alternative this helps to neutralize the acidity taste in the tomatoes.
    • 1 teaspoon Italian herb seasoning
      (or can use dried basil, dried thyme and dried oregano mix)
    • salt and pepper
      to taste
    • 6 basil fresh or 1 teaspoon dried basil
    • hot pepper flakes Dash of hot pepper flakes (optional)- gives it a little sparkle

    Grandma's Homemade Meatballs: (Makes about 12-15 meatballs)

    • ½ pound ground veal
    • ½ pound ground pork
    • ½ pound ground beef
    • 1.25 cups breadcrumbs ( I used gluten-free breadcrumbs)
    • 3 cloves garlic
      peeled and chopped or 1 teaspoon dried garlic powder.
    • ¾ cup chicken broth
      or enough to wet the breadcrumbs (gluten free)
    • 2 tablespoon parsley
      fresh chopped
    • 1 teaspoon basil
      dried
    • ½ cup parmesan cheese
      grated
    • 1 egg
      (or if egg allergies like me then exchange with 2 tablespoons of soft tofu)
    • 1 cup mozzarella cheese
      1 inch cubes (optional if you want your meatballs stuffed)
    • oil spray
    • 1 pound spaghetti cooked aldente (I used gluten free but can use whole grain or regular)
    US Customary - Metric
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions

    • Make Grandmas Sauce:  Place the pointed end of the 12-15 cloves and pierce into peeled whole onion so that you have a "studded onion". Next put 3 tablespoons of olive oil in a large sauce pan on medium heat and then place whole clove studded onion in oil and brown over medium meat for about 5 minutes until the flavors are infused into the oil. Remove whole onion. Add garlic and sauté for 1 minute until golden brown. Then add crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, red wine, sugar, salt, pepper and basil. Turn down the heat to low simmer and cook nice and slow for about and hour. If sauce consistency is too thick then add more wine or water and if sauce is too thin then add more paste to suite your preference. Taste and adjust seasoning as desired. Set Aside.
    • Made Grandma's Homemade Meatballs:   Preheat oven to 350 F (176 C). Place the ground meats, both breadcrumbs, parsley, Parmesan, salt, pepper, nutmeg, egg (or tofu if egg allergies), and ¾ cup chicken broth in a bowl. Combine very lightly with a fork. Using your hands, lightly form the mixture into 2-inch meatballs. You will have 14 to 16 meatballs. (My youngest teenager came up with this great idea to stuff each meatball in the center with a cube of mozzarella before baking and it is delicious) Lightly spray a baking sheet and place meatballs a few inches apart and bake in oven for about 7 minutes just until they are slightly golden on the outside but still pink in the middle. Place the meatballs in the grandma sauce over a simmer and cook them the rest of the way in the sauce about another 7-8 minutes until they are cooked through and deliciously tender.
    • Cook spaghetti noodles in boiling water until adente and serve with Grandma's homemade tomato sauce and meatballs and grate parmesean cheese on top and serve with crusty bread. Enjoy!

    Notes

    Don't throw away your clove studded onion. Remove the cloves and add to any of your next favorite dishes that need a chopped onion.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1g | Calories: 531kcal | Carbohydrates: 52g | Protein: 28g | Fat: 23g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 88mg | Sodium: 807mg | Potassium: 1204mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 14g | Vitamin A: 929IU | Vitamin C: 28mg | Calcium: 220mg | Iron: 6mg
    Did you make this recipe?Tag us @HWCMagazine or hastag us #HWCMagazine!

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    About HWC Magazine

    Join our Healthy World Cuisine medical editors (trained in both Western and Eastern Medicine) and learn how to EAT your way around the WORLD from the comfort of your own kitchen. Grab free health tips, recipe ideas, meal plans and gain a better understand how eating choices can affect your health. Be the healthier and happier YOU!

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Walter says

      December 15, 2021 at 6:04 pm

      5 stars
      Who doesn't want grandmas spaghetti?

      Reply
      • HWC Magazine says

        December 20, 2021 at 1:11 am

        No doubt. You can't go wrong with that as a dinner plan.

        Reply

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