mama's spaghetti and meatballs

Cooper now in Columbus Ga., TX
Updated on Jun 22, 2013

My mother was NOT Italian but she made a heck of a spaghetti and meatballs. Sometimes I just saute 1 pound hamburger and 1 pound Sweet Italian sausage and just make meat sauce as is pictured but I have included the meatball recipe. Growing up I loved her 'sketti' so much, I used to spoon some on bread and slice up a couple of meatballs to make a 'sammich' for lunch till they were all gone. She did not make them often cause it had to simmer for so long and that was before crock pots so I never let it go to waste.

prep time 20 Min
cook time 6 Hr
method Stove Top
yield 6 serving(s)

Ingredients

  • 1 can (12 ounce) tomato paste
  • 1 can (3 ounce) tomato paste
  • 1 can tomato soup
  • 1-2 cup water (see note)
  • 4 cloves garlic or 2 teaspoons garlic powder
  • 1 - bay leaf
  • 1 teaspoon oregano or 1 tablespoon fresh
  • 1 teaspoon basil or 1 tablespoon fresh
  • 1 tablespoon parsley or small handful of chopped fresh
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt or 3/4 teaspoon table salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper
  • 1-2 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon dried minced onion or 1/2 small fresh onion diced
  • 1 bunch sliced mushrooms, optional
  • 1 pound spaghetti cooked al dente or as desired
  • MEATBALLS
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 pound ground italian sausage, i use sweet but can use hot if preferred
  • 1/2 cup bread crumbs
  • 2 - eggs, slightly beaten
  • 3 cloves garlic, crushed
  • 1/2 - small onion diced
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt or 3/4 teaspoon table salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon basil
  • 1/2 teaspoon oregano
  • 1 tablespoon parsley dried
  • 3 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese
  • 2 ounces finely chopped prosciutto

How To Make mama's spaghetti and meatballs

  • Step 1
    Saute onions in olive oil for maybe 5 minutes till translucent. Add mushrooms and saute just a couple of minutes. Add these and all ingredients except pasta to crock pot. Add sauteed ground meat or meatballs and cook on low for 4-6 hours. Serve over pasta with plenty of freshly grated parmesan cheese.
  • Step 2
    Meatballs: Mix all ingredients together and shape into 1-2 inch meatballs. Add them to sauce.
  • Step 3
    Notes: Crock-pots were not around until after my mama passed away. She did not make spaghetti often because it needed to be simmered for 4-5 hours and she had to keep a watchful eye and add water as needed. Today I use a crock-pot and cook it on low all day. I use as much water as I need to make it the right consistency. So the amount of water will vary greatly between stove top and crock-pot. The above pictured was made with just browned ground beef but the meatballs that go with it is fantastic.

Discover More

Category: Beef
Category: Pasta
Culture: Italian
Keyword: #crockpot
Ingredient: Vegetable
Method: Stove Top

Comment & Reviews

ADVERTISEMENT
Just A Pinch Sweepstakes