Incredible Spaghetti and Meatballs (RTB.com Tailgate)

[porkchop]

I know that every guy (every single guy anyway) makes spaghetti. It's like a right of passage or something? Spaghetti or Ramen noodle soup, or else, we'd all starve. But I gots one that will knock your sox off it's so good. Make your toes curl up!!!!

Ingredients

1 lb gr beef
1/2 lb ground Italian sausage
linguini (NOT SPAGHETTI)
3 large tomatoes
1 lg can whole tomatoes
3-5 tblspns tomato past (depending on taste)
garlic powder (to taste)
Italian herbs (to taste)
milk
2 slices loaf bread
flour
olive oil

Basically, you can alter this recipe at any point to taste, but I'm giving you mine.

Meatballs

Combine the ground sausage and beef together. Soak the bread slices in milk until soft. Tear the bread into small pieces, then fold in. Make meatballs, size depending on your tastes.

Heat the oil, flour the meatballs, and brown on all sides. Remove and store.

Rough cut your tomatoes, add to the pan with the paste. Add the canned whole tomatoes, along with the juices. You should bring to a boil, then cover and simmer until sauce is breaking down. It may take an hour to 90 minutes.

Once sauce is breaking down, add the meatballs and garlic/onion powder/spices.

Remember, however you choose to do this recipe; garlic is stronger when added later. Sauce is better, the longer and lower it cooks, so take your time with this.

Cook the linguini to package directions, drain, and reserve until the sauce is done.

 

[reger60]

My first wife was Italian. Nice to look at, but hell to live with.

When we divorced, just about the only thing I came away with was her homemade sauce recipe. I call it my $150,000 Pasta Sauce. It's incredibly authentic. It's a lot of work, but well worth the effort. (To be honest, I make it better than she ever did.) I typically make an enormous pot (about 2-3 gallons) and it can be used for everything from pasta, to lasagna, to chicken or veal parm. I usually make a few dozen meatballs and let a half dozen Italian sausages cook in the pot with the sauce.

When I have a little more time, I'll post the recipe. In the meantime, I'll try Porkchop's recipe. He makes his a little differently than I do -- i use a stock pot instead of a pan -- but it sounds pretty good.