By
eHow Food & Drink Editor
Difficulty: Moderately Easy
Things You’ll Need:
- Groceries
- Colanders
- Food Processors
- Measuring Cups
- Measuring Spoons
- Pasta Bowls
- Stockpots
- 1/4 c. freshly chopped basil
- 1/2 c. fresh bread crumbs
- 1 tbsp. unsalted butter
- 2 medium carrots - peeled and finely chopped
- 1 large rib of celery - finely chopped
- 1 c. chicken broth
- 1/2 tsp. freshly cracked black pepper
- 1 large egg - beaten
- 1 1/4 lbs. ground beef
- 1/4 c. olive (not virgin) oil
- 1 small onion - peeled and finely chopped
- 1/2 c. freshly grated Parmesan cheese plus more for garnish
- freshly chopped Italian parsley for garnish
- 2 lbs. plum tomatoes - cored, seeded and diced (or canned tomatoes, drained)
- 3/4 c. red wine
- 1 1/2 tsp. salt
- 1 lb. spaghetti noodles
Step1
Heat the butter, olive oil, celery, carrots and onion in a large pot over medium heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables start to soften.
Step2
Add the wine and cook until the wine is almost completely evaporated. Add the tomatoes, 1 tsp. salt, 1/4 tsp. of the pepper and broth and simmer for two hours. Break up the tomatoes with the back of a wooden spoon, if necessary.
Step3
Stir the sauce occasionally and watch for signs of drying out. Add more broth if the sauce becomes too dry.
Step4
Place the meat, bread crumbs, cheese, basil, egg, 2 tbsp. water, remaining salt and pepper in a food processor. Process until smooth.
Step5
Using your hands, form the meat mixture into bite-sized balls.
Step6
Taste the sauce and add more seasoning if desired. Add the meatballs to the sauce and cook for 15 to 20 minutes. There should be no red showing when a meatball is cut open.
Step7
Cook the pasta according to package directions and drain.
Step8
Serve in large bowls with pasta on the bottom and some sauce with the meatballs over the top. Sprinkle on some of the parmesan and parsley as well.
