This is probably one of the best homemade spaghetti and meatball recipes I have had. I used home canned roasted tomatoes for the sauce, and tons of fresh herbs to add some delicious flavor to the meatballs. This recipe also makes fabulous leftovers.

INGREDIENTS

Sauce

• 1/2 medium onion, finely diced
• 1/4 cup + 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 3 (500ml) jars home canned roasted tomatoes with garlic, finely diced or crushed*
• 1/2 cup red wine
• 1/2 to 1 tsp crushed red pepper
• 1 tsp kosher salt

*If you don’t have any home canned tomatoes on hand, then use a very high quality store bought variety, such as Muir Glen roasted diced tomatoes, and add 2 minced cloves of garlic.

Meatballs

Recipe adapted from Cooking Light Spaghetti & Meatballs.

• 1 (1-ounce) slice white bread (such as a stale baguette)
• 2 (4-ounce) links hot/spicy turkey Italian sausage, casings removed
• 1/2 cup finely chopped onion
• 1/2 to 3/4 cup chopped fresh basil
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
• 2 tablespoons egg substitute
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 large eggs
• 1 pound ground sirloin

Spaghetti

• 1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh basil
• 1 pound hot cooked spaghetti
• 1/2 cup (2 ounces) grated fresh Parmigiano-Reggiano

DIRECTIONS

1. To prepare sauce, heat 1 tbsp oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and saute for 5 minutes. Add canned tomatoes, wine, crushed red pepper, and salt. Stir and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium low and simmer until reduced by  a third (about 45 minutes). Stir occasionally.
2. Preheat broiler.
3. To prepare meatballs, place bread in a food processor, and process until fine crumbs measure 1/2 cup. Combine the breadcrumbs, sausage, 1/2 cup onion, and next 8 ingredients (through sirloin) in a bowl. With wet hands, shape sirloin mixture into 34 meatballs. Place meatballs on a broiler pan.
4. Broil 15 minutes or until done. Add meatballs to sauce; simmer 15 minutes.
5. Sprinkle with 1/2 cup parsley and 1/3 cup basil. Serve over spaghetti. Sprinkle with cheese. Serve with fresh baguette, and a simple green salad if desired.