Homemade Spaghetti and Meatballs

Preparing spaghetti and meatballs at home is easy and fun. Most recipes are simple to follow, and require very few steps. The following ideas center around the choice of ground beef to make the meatballs, and discusses how the meat is best combined with the noodles and sauce.

Meatballs

Ground beef is the preferred meat for preparing spaghetti recipes. The beef itself is available in different levels of fat content. Unlike good hamburgers, meatballs are best prepared with beef consisting of no more than 15% fat. The meat is combined with any or all of the following: chopped onion, onion flakes, garlic powder, chopped celery and seasonings, and can be rolled either large or small. The smaller sized meatballs can be browned in oil or butter, while larger ones are often poached in salted water. They can be prepared ahead of time and kept warm in the oven while making the sauce and noodles.

Adding Sauces To The Dish

Traditionally meatballs are served over spaghetti noodles with a tomato-based sauce. In the old-fashioned style, the spaghetti sauce is made separately, and the meatballs are doused or immersed in the sauce prior to serving. Most chefs prefer to mix a small amount of the sauce with the noodles before adding the meatballs to the dish. Because of the moderate-to-low fat content of the ground beef, the meatballs will keep their shape quite well and at the same time offer enough of the distinct "hamburger" taste that combines so well with tomato sauces. This pleasing mixture of tastes is strongest if the meat and the tomato sauce have not been in contact during the cooking process. This is why most recipes for spaghetti sauce recommend combining meat and tomatoes during the last stages of preparation, with little or no simmering time.

Ground Beef

Beef should always be cooked thoroughly to eliminate the chances of E. coli or other harmful bacteria being consumed. Most recipes, including those for preparing meatballs, suggest that excess fat be drained and discarded, as this would otherwise add unwanted calories and does not usually enhance the flavor. Like any other recipe calling for ground beef, meatballs should be eaten at once and leftovers need to be refrigerated immediately, before they cool to room temperature.

Ground beef makes almost everyone think of spaghetti and meatballs, and there is no wondering why; a well-prepared recipe never fails to impress.

Try one of our delicious, traditional or contemporary ground beef recipes. Inspired from cuisines around the world, we offer a complete collection of ground beef recipes; perfect for everyday or special occasions.

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