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.

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:

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.

Instructions:

Step 1: Preheat and Prepare

  1. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F.
  2. Lightly oil a 9×9 baking dish or coat it with nonstick spray.

Step 2: Mix and Shape the Meatballs

  1. 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.
  2. Use a wooden spoon or clean hands to stir the mixture until well combined.
  3. 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

  1. Heat olive oil in a large stockpot or Dutch oven over medium heat.
  2. Add the meatballs in batches and cook until all sides are browned, which takes about 2-3 minutes per batch.
  3. Transfer the browned meatballs to a paper towel-lined plate and set them aside.

Step 4: Cook the Spaghetti

  1. In a large pot of boiling, salted water, cook the spaghetti according to package instructions.
  2. Drain the cooked spaghetti well and stir in the marinara sauce.

Step 5: Assemble and Bake

  1. Add the cooked spaghetti to the prepared baking dish.
  2. Top the spaghetti with the browned meatballs.
  3. Sprinkle mozzarella cheese over the top.
  4. 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

  1. Serve the Baked Spaghetti and Meatballs immediately.
  2. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley leaves if desired.

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