Baked Spaghetti and Meatballs
Are you craving a hearty and satisfying meal that’s a twist on a beloved Italian classic? Look no further! In this article, we’ll take you on a culinary journey through the world of Baked Spaghetti and Meatballs. This dish combines the comforting flavors of spaghetti and savory meatballs, baked to perfection. Whether you’re a seasoned chef or a novice in the kitchen, this recipe is sure to impress your taste buds and satisfy your cravings.
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Ingredients:
Before we dive into the preparation, let’s gather our key ingredients. These are the building blocks of our delectable Baked Spaghetti and Meatballs:
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| Ingredients | Amount |
|---|---|
| Spaghetti | 12 ounces |
| Marinara Sauce | 3 cups (homemade or store-bought) |
| Mozzarella Cheese | 2 cups |
| Fresh Parsley Leaves | 2 tablespoons |
| Ground Beef | 8 ounces |
| Ground Pork | 8 ounces |
| Large Egg | 1 (beaten) |
| Panko | 1/4 cup |
| Parmesan Cheese | 1/4 cup (freshly grated) |
| Garlic Powder | 1/4 teaspoon |
| Onion Powder | 1/4 teaspoon |
| Ground Allspice | 1/4 teaspoon |
| Pinch of Nutmeg | A pinch |
| Salt and Pepper | To taste |
| Olive Oil | 1 tablespoon |
Now that we have our ingredients ready, let’s move on to the preparation.
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Instructions:
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare
- Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F.
- Lightly oil a 9×9 baking dish or coat it with nonstick spray.
Step 2: Mix and Shape the Meatballs
- In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, ground pork, beaten egg, Panko, freshly grated Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, ground allspice, a pinch of nutmeg, and season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Use a wooden spoon or clean hands to stir the mixture until well combined.
- Roll the mixture into meatballs, about 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 inches in size, forming around 18-20 meatballs.
Step 3: Brown the Meatballs
- Heat olive oil in a large stockpot or Dutch oven over medium heat.
- Add the meatballs in batches and cook until all sides are browned, which takes about 2-3 minutes per batch.
- Transfer the browned meatballs to a paper towel-lined plate and set them aside.
Step 4: Cook the Spaghetti
- In a large pot of boiling, salted water, cook the spaghetti according to package instructions.
- Drain the cooked spaghetti well and stir in the marinara sauce.
Step 5: Assemble and Bake
- Add the cooked spaghetti to the prepared baking dish.
- Top the spaghetti with the browned meatballs.
- Sprinkle mozzarella cheese over the top.
- Place the dish into the preheated oven and bake until the dish is bubbly and heated through, approximately 15-20 minutes.
Step 6: Serve and Garnish
- Serve the Baked Spaghetti and Meatballs immediately.
- Garnish with freshly chopped parsley leaves if desired.
