Spaghetti sauce with meatballs

16 years ago

We had a great lunch on Saturday (tiramisu was great). To save time, I added a few premade items from Trader Joe's.

I decided to try something new with my spaghetti sauce by adding some Italian prosciutto de parma and it turned out great. Here's what I did for 10 servings. I started this at 10:00 am

EVOO heated in a very large pot

2 finely chopped shallots saute until transparent

add 1 bag frozen Trader Joe's mini meatballs to brown

add favorite seasonings (garlic, dried basil, oregano, etc.)

add 3 slices of prosciutto (roll them together, slice to make small pieces). Don't let it get crispy.

add a good red wine to cover 1/2 depth of meatballs

reduce wine

add 1 can tomato paste

add 1 28 oz can crushed tomatoes

add 1 jar of favorite pasta sauce (I used TJ's roasted garlic)

bring to slow boil, then reduce heat (taste and adjust seasonings)

Transfer to a large crock pot set on high to simmer for 2 hours.

I served it over whole wheat thin spaghetti. (I put it all in a large bowl and tossed so that it was served on the table).

Had parmeseano reggiano (sliced not grated) and gorgonzola (cut in cubes) in small bowls for guests to choose from. The gorgonzola was a big hit as it is great with prosciutto.

Salad was butter lettuce and roma tomatoes with TJ's Balsamic dressing.

Since we had one picky eater, I had separate bowls of artichoke hearts, olives, tapenades, and bruschetta available. I also had parmesean crisps (TJ's) for him since he didn't want the softer bread.

Bread was TJ's Tuscan Pane (comes sliced). I drizzled good EEVO down into the slices, wrapped in aluminum foil and put in preheated 375 oven for 10-15 minutes. You don't have to watch it that way.

Beverage was San Pellegrino sparkling water with lemon slices.

Espresso with the tiramisu.

Cameron

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (5)

lindac
16 years ago
Sounds good and easy.....
Just wondering, why a jar of premade sauce rather than another can of crushed tomatoes and more seasonings?
Linda C...who's looking at Italian sausage, ground pork and ground beef...just daring her to make tham into meatballs....and 3 cans of tomatoes sitting on the counter...alas, no proscuitto!
DYH
Original Author
16 years ago
LindaC -- Since I didn't know when my guests would arrive I added the premade sauce to speed up the simmer time. (They were sending a daughter off on a flight to another country to study abroad and you never know about time schedules!)

I also could have simmered on the range, but I put it in the (pre-heated) slow cooker so that I didn't have to stir and watch it.

I also make a variation on this sauce where I don't use meatballs or premade sauce, but use shitake mushrooms. When I have no picky eater, I stir in crumbled gorgonzola. With that variation, I use penne instead of spaghetti.

Cameron
Related Discussions
Anyone have a favorite spaghetti squash recipe?
Q
Comments (13)
During our kitchen remodel I craved pasta, but with only a microwave and toaster oven it wasn't happening. So spaghetti squash became the great pretender. This was my favorite dish ... fresh uncooked tomato sauce ... diced tomatoes, minced garlic, lemon zest, olive oil, fresh basil. Let that sit at room temp for a couple hours then toss with the spaghetti squash.
...See More
What are your most 'Repeated' meals?
Q
Comments (50)
I make a lot of pasta with marinara, ragu bolognese, pesto etc. We just finished having a broccoli, bacon, onion and gruyere quiche for dinner that makes regular appearances around here. Another favorite is stir fry, I make that once a week or so. I also bbq throughout the year because our weather here is relatively mild. Other than that, tacos, nachos, salads, soups, stews and pot pies get made often around here depending on the weather. Based on the frequency of its appearance in this thread, I'm going to have to work on my roasted chicken method. When I tried Ann's high heat method the results were wonderful, but I spent more time cleaning the oven than I did cooking the bird. Note to self, when remodeling the kitchen get a self cleaning oven! :)
...See More
What's for Dinner #268
Q
Comments (101)
Sharon, I'm sorry your kitties are not doing well. It's so hard to watch our furbabies be sick. I'd love your take out meal, on your patio of course. Here's what our freezer fiasco led me to make for dinner (and I lost very little from the freezer - just a few things on the narrow top shelf of the side by side fridge/freezer in the garage.) Thirty three minutes in the PC for the lamb shanks and the white beans and a Tuscan influenced dinner emerged. The cooking and natural cool down allowed plenty of time for me to shape and bake two rolls from my refrigerated dough in the TO and make a simple salad. Dinner was good. We had a Spanish red wine, Reyla garnacha-merlot single estate with the lamb. There is one lamb shank left over and enough beans that I can cut up the meat and add a few veggies and make soup for tomorrows lunch. Lee
...See More
LOOKING for: Meatballs for spaghetti, who has a great recipe?
Q
Comments (12)
I think that the best basic meatball recipe is this one. I use it as my guideline but adjust the seasoning to suit my own taste. Don't be afraid to use the eggs. Home Cookin Chapter: Recipes From Thibeault's Table ================================== adapted from: Nicolina DiSpirito Serves 4 to 6 My own Sauce 1 tablespoon olive oil 1/4 onion, chopped 2 or 3 cloves of garlic minced 2 cans of quality tomatoes season with basil, salt and pepper. Rocco's Mama's Meatballs 1/2 cup chicken stock 1/2 large sweet onion, rough chopped 4 cloves garlic, rough chopped 1/2 bunch parsley, chopped 1/2 pound ground beef 1/2 pound ground pork 1/2 pound ground veal 1/2 cup breadcrumbs 5 eggs, lightly beaten 1/2 cup grated Parmigiano Reggiano cheese 2 to 3 pinches chili flakes 2 to 3 pinches salt Olive oil, to coat hands and for browning meatballs Cooked spaghetti (optional) (Note: add Basil, oregano, rosemary, fennel seed, etc.) Make the sauce: Heat oil in a large saucepan. When oil is hot, sautÃ© onions until translucent.Add the garlic and the tomatoes. Simmer. when the meatballs have been browned add them to the sauce and simmer for at least one hour. Make the meatballs: Place the chicken stock, onion, garlic and parsley in a blender and purÃ©e. Set aside. Place the meat, breadcrumbs, eggs, grated cheese, chili flakes and salt in a large bowl. Add the purÃ©ed chicken-stock mix. Using your hands, gently but thoroughly combine all ingredients, being careful not to overmix the meat. Coat your hands with a little olive oil and form the meatballs. Pour oil in a large skillet to a depth of about 1/2 inch and place over medium-high heat. When the oil is hot, brown the meatballs, turning once. Add as much of the tomato sauce as you desire, and bring to a simmer. Cook until meatballs are done. Serve over spaghetti, if desired
...See More
hawk307
16 years ago
Cameron: I have a lot of Store Bought Sauce on hand for different things.
Sometimes I don't feel like defrosting a large container,so i use them.
You don't have to explain, or feel guilty about how you cook, to me.
But nobody will tell me how they got that name Shitake,
terrible.
I know where the first part originated!in Ancient Shipping.
If you want another easy recipe for Sauce I'll post it.
LOU
deborah_ps
16 years ago
My cousin adds crispy bacon to her pre-made sauce and it does add another dimension. With a pile of kids to tend, she just doesn't make her sauce like Nonna did. Not the prosciutto for sure, but in a pinch, ya gotta do what you've gotta do.
DYH
Original Author
16 years ago
I prepare 3 meals a day, 7 days a week. We may eat out for one lunch, but it is rare. So, I'll take shortcuts any day when the quality isn't compromised!

Trader Joe's has been the best thing that's happened to our food budget, quality of premade foods, and our health. I've lost 6.5 lbs since I started eating 100% TJ's food and beverages on January 9th! It took so long for our town to get one recently, and now it has made a big difference.

Lou...I love making Italian sauces. My DH and sons say that my best sauces are those that I call "pantry pasta" meaning whatever I have in the pantry may be used! What sauce recipe do you want to share?

Thanks,
Cameron

Spaghetti sauce with meatballs

Comments (5)

lindac

DYH
Original Author

Related Discussions

hawk307

deborah_ps

DYH
Original Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Spaghetti sauce with meatballs

Comments (5)

lindac

DYHOriginal Author

Related Discussions

hawk307

deborah_ps

DYHOriginal Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

DYH
Original Author

DYH
Original Author