Very tasty and easy recipe. Use Gabianno Chianti, and finish the bottle with dinner!

Spaghetti and Meatballs
Very easy and yummy! The meatballs don't need to be browned, they just simmer in the sauce, so it is important to use lean meat. I also like these meatballs made from ground chicken.

Ingredients:
Meatballs:
1 pound lean ground beef
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup breadcrumbs
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 eggs
Salt and pepper


Sauce:
1 cup chopped onion
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 pound mushrooms, sliced
1 can (28 oz.) stewed tomatoes
1 can (13 oz.) tomato paste
1/2 cup red wine
1 teaspoon parsley
1 teaspoon oregano
1 teaspoon basil
Salt and pepper
1 bay leaf



Directions:
Meatballs:
Mix all ingredients together. Shape into meatballs. Set aside.


Sauce:
Mix all the ingredients together in a large saucepan. Simmer, uncovered, for 20 minutes.


Add the meatballs to the sauce. Cover and simmer for 20 to 25 minutes. Remove bay leaf.

Serve over spaghetti. Top with Parmesan cheese if desired. Makes 4 servings.

 

If you add about 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg to the meatballs people will swear that you've used pork sausage--all the flavor and much lower fat!

(A little chopped parsley in the meatballs is good, too!)

 

hmmmm, meatballs.