rigatoni and meatballs

31 Pinches 1 Photo
Dolores, CO
Updated on Jul 24, 2014

I found this recipe in Ree Drummonds cookbook " Food from my Frontier". She mentioned that her husband didn't care for traditional spaghetti and my husband feels the same way. So this recipe fit him to a "T". I took a few liberties to make it my own, but basically its all hers. Thanks, Ree for all the recipes in your book.

prep time 30 Min
cook time 50 Min
method Stove Top
yield 10-12 serving(s)

Ingredients

  • 6 slices crusty bread
  • 3/4 pound ground beef
  • 3/4 pound ground pork
  • 3 - garlic cloves,chopped
  • 2 - eggs, beaten
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
  • 3/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
  • 1/4 cup milk
  • - salt and pepper, to taste
  • 1/2 cup olive oil
  • SAUCE
  • 1 - yellow onion, chopped
  • 3 - garlic cloves, chopped fine
  • 1 can 28 oz. crushed tomatoes
  • 1 can 28 oz.diced tomatoes
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1/4 cup chopped parsley
  • 12 - fresh basil leaves, cut in chiffonade
  • 2 pounds rigatoni,cooked al dente

How To Make rigatoni and meatballs

  • Step 1
    place bread on a baking sheet and bake for 30 min at 200 or until completely dry. Break bread in chunks and grind into bread crumbs
  • Step 2
    Put meat in a large bowl, add garlic, bread crumbs, eggs, parsley, cheese, milk, salt and pepper
  • Step 3
    mix until well combined, use a scoop to retrieve a small amount of meat mixture, roll into a ball, and refrigerate until firm.
  • Step 4
    Heat the olive oil in large pan, add meatballs and fry until brown on all sides. Set aside.
  • Step 5
    Add onions and garlic to the same pan and sauté until golden, At this time you can add 1/4 cup of red wine, its your choice, let simmer for a few minutes.
  • Step 6
    Add the two cans of tomatoes, salt, pepper and sugar, parsley and basil. Let simmer for about 30 minutes, covered,
  • Step 7
    Then add the meatballs and simmer till they are done. At this time , I added a box of sliced mushrooms and some sliced black olives.
  • Step 8
    While sauce is cooking, cook the rigatoni. Then combine, and add chopped parsley and grated parmesan cheese. Serve with warm garlic toast and a glass of nice red wine.

Discover More

Category: Beef
Category: Pasta
Culture: Italian
Ingredient: Beef
Method: Stove Top

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