INGREDIENTS
Servings: 6-8
Marinara Sauce
2 tablespoons olive oil
Half a yellow onion, diced small
4 garlic cloves, minced
1⁄2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
2 28-ounce cans crushed San Marzano Tomatoes
2 sprigs basil
1 tablespoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon ground pepper
1 teaspoon sugar
Meatballs
1⁄2 cup breadcrumbs
1⁄2 cup milk
1 egg
1⁄2 cup grated Parmesan
3 tablespoons minced parsley
1 teaspoon ground fennel
2 teaspoons salt
1⁄2 teaspoon pepper
1 pound ground beef
Pasta & Garnishes
1 pound cooked spaghetti
1 ball burrata
Torn or small basil leaves
Shaved Parmesan
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Sauce: In a large saucepan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onion, garlic, and crushed red pepper flakes. Sauté for 5–7 minutes, or until softened and translucent. Add tomatoes, basil sprigs, salt, pepper, and sugar. Let simmer, stirring occasionally, 20–25 minutes until sauce has thickened. Remove basil sprigs and discard.
2. Meatballs: In a small bowl, stir together breadcrumbs and milk and set aside. In a large bowl, whisk together egg, Parmesan, parsley, ground fennel, salt, and pepper. Stir in ground beef and wet breadcrumbs. Combine well, but do not over-mix.
3. With oiled hands, roll the meat into golf-sized balls. (If you have time, chill meatballs for 30 minutes to an hour.)
4. Heat a skillet with a drizzle of olive oil. Brown meatballs on all sides, then transfer meatballs to saucepan of marinara. Simmer meatballs in sauce until cooked through, about 7-10 minutes.
5. To serve: Plate a pile of spaghetti. Top with marinara and meatballs. Add some torn pieces of burrata, basil, and shaved Parmesan.