Spaghetti and Meatballs with Grandma's Sauce is a timeless Italian classic recipe. The secret marinara sauce recipe has been passed on for generations but today we are sharing it with you. Check out our recipe to learn what "special spice" takes this sauce to the next level.
A recipe that is past on from generation to generation is a timeless treasure.
It all starts out with an onion studded with cloves sautéing in a pan...and then the magic begins.
Grandma's Special Marinara Sauce
I have already started cooking the homemade tomato sauce and meatballs. Can you guess what the secret ingredient is? Yes, cloves! Mom always studded the whole cloves right into the onion so that the spice would permeate the oil while the onion sauteed.
The wonderful aroma coming from my kitchen is out of this world. The lovely savory fragrance has even stirred the teenagers from their rooms to find out the status on when dinner will be ready. Sound familiar?
Believe it or not we never ever had jarred tomato sauce throughout my childhood. Tomato Basil special sauce was always made from scratch and had that all day slow cooked delicious flavors.
Italian Meatballs
Spaghetti with tomato sauce and meatballs on the side, is a dish from Italy. These dishes have been around since the 1800's in Italy. However, In Italy, they usually never serve spaghetti with the meatballs together but as separate dishes.
American Tradition
Serving the spaghetti with the meatballs on the same plate only occurred after this dish was brought to America. This adaptation occurred to suite to the needs of the local residents in the Italian restaurants. In Italy, they generally serve many courses as part of the meal.
Meal Courses in Italy
- The Italian appetizer (Antipasto) serves cold cuts and other small regional items.
- The first course (Primo) usually serves a soup or the pasta.
- The second course or main course (Secondo) is usually meat poultry or fish.
- The side dishes (Contorni) such as a vegetable or salad.
- Dessert (Dolce) is served at the end of the meal and usually is fruit or cheese and you may also be offered an espresso coffee and/or a digestive.
I tribute the recipe, "Spaghetti and Meatballs with Grandma's Sauce" to my loving, patient and enduring mom.
More Delicious Grandma Italian Recipes
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Homemade Tagliatelle Pasta with Zucchini Blossoms
Tuscan Slow Cooked Braised Beef in Wine Sauce
How to Roast Mini Sweet Peppers
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Spaghetti and Meatballs with Grandma's Sauce
Ingredients
Grandma's Tomato Sauce (makes about 4 cups)
- 3 tablespoon olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic
peeled and sliced - 1 onion
medium peeled and cut in half. - 12-15 whole cloves
to stud the onion with. - 56 oz canned tomatoes
crushed tin tomatoes) (My kids dislike chunky tomato sauce so I blend one half of tomatoes in blender before adding to sauce) - 6 oz tomato paste
- ½ cup red wine
- 1 teaspoon sugar
or sugar alternative this helps to neutralize the acidity taste in the tomatoes. - 1 teaspoon Italian herb seasoning
(or can use dried basil, dried thyme and dried oregano mix) - salt and pepper
to taste - 6 basil fresh or 1 teaspoon dried basil
- hot pepper flakes Dash of hot pepper flakes (optional)- gives it a little sparkle
Grandma's Homemade Meatballs: (Makes about 12-15 meatballs)
- ½ pound ground veal
- ½ pound ground pork
- ½ pound ground beef
- 1.25 cups breadcrumbs ( I used gluten-free breadcrumbs)
- 3 cloves garlic
peeled and chopped or 1 teaspoon dried garlic powder. - ¾ cup chicken broth
or enough to wet the breadcrumbs (gluten free) - 2 tablespoon parsley
fresh chopped - 1 teaspoon basil
dried - ½ cup parmesan cheese
grated - 1 egg
(or if egg allergies like me then exchange with 2 tablespoons of soft tofu) - 1 cup mozzarella cheese
1 inch cubes (optional if you want your meatballs stuffed) - oil spray
- 1 pound spaghetti cooked aldente (I used gluten free but can use whole grain or regular)
Instructions
Grandma's Special Sauce
- Place the pointed end of the 12-15 cloves and pierce into peeled whole onion so that you have a "studded onion". Next put 3 tablespoons of olive oil in a large sauce pan on medium heat and then place whole clove studded onion in oil. Brown the onion over medium meat for about 5 minutes until the flavors are infused into the oil. Remove whole onion.
- Add garlic and sauté for 1 minute until golden brown. Then add crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, red wine, sugar, salt, pepper and basil. Turn down the heat to low simmer and cook nice and slow for about and hour. If sauce consistency is too thick then add more wine or water and if sauce is too thin then add more paste to suite your preference. Taste and adjust seasoning as desired. Set Aside.
Homemade Meatballs
- Preheat oven to 350 F (176 C).
- Place the ground meats, breadcrumbs, parsley, Parmesan, salt, pepper, nutmeg, egg (or tofu if egg allergies), and ¾ cup chicken broth in a bowl. Combine very lightly with a fork. Using your hands, lightly form the mixture into 2-inch meatballs. You will have 14 to 16 meatballs.
- Lightly spray a baking sheet and place meatballs a few inches apart and bake in oven for about 7 minutes just until they are slightly golden on the outside but still pink in the middle. Place the meatballs in the grandma sauce over a simmer and cook them the rest of the way in the sauce about another 7-8 minutes until they are cooked through and deliciously tender.
- Cook spaghetti noodles in boiling water until adente and serve with Grandma's homemade tomato sauce and meatballs and grate parmesean cheese on top and serve with crusty bread. Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
Walter says
Who doesn't want grandmas spaghetti?
HWC Magazine says
No doubt. You can't go wrong with that as a dinner plan.