Homemade Spaghetti and Meatballs

Recipe View Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). (5 minutes)

Recipe View In a large, heavy-bottomed pot, combine the whole peeled tomatoes (crushing them slightly with your hands), tomato juice, tomato paste, chopped onion, dried parsley, salt, red pepper flakes, black pepper, dried thyme, and ground cloves. Bring the mixture to a vigorous boil over high heat, then immediately reduce the heat to low. Cover and let simmer gently for 1 to 1 1/2 hours, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. (90 minutes)

Recipe View While the sauce simmers, prepare the meatballs. In a large bowl, combine the lean ground beef, crushed soda crackers, beaten eggs, grated Parmesan cheese, crushed garlic clove, dried parsley, and dried thyme. Gently mix all ingredients until just combined; be careful not to overmix, as this can result in tough meatballs.

Recipe View Shape the mixture into large meatballs, about 2 inches in diameter. Place the meatballs in a single layer on a broiler pan. (15 minutes)

Recipe View Transfer the broiler pan to the preheated oven and bake for approximately 30 minutes, or until the meatballs are browned and cooked through, with no pink remaining in the centers. An internal temperature of 160°F (71°C) is recommended. (30 minutes)

Recipe View Once the meatballs are baked, gently transfer them to the simmering sauce. Continue to simmer the sauce and meatballs together for an additional 2 to 2 1/2 hours, stirring occasionally. This extended simmering time allows the flavors to meld and deepen, resulting in a truly exceptional sauce. (150 minutes)

Recipe View Approximately 15 minutes before serving, bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a rolling boil. Add the spaghetti and cook according to package directions, usually around 12 minutes, or until the pasta is al dente – tender yet firm to the bite. (12 minutes)

Recipe View Drain the spaghetti well and serve immediately, generously topped with the homemade sauce and meatballs. Garnish with extra Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley, if desired.