Chris Cheryls Mega Spaghetti Sauce Food

SUNNY'S SPICY SPAGHETTI WITH MEGA MEATBALLS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• To make the meatballs: In a large bowl, combine the Parmesan, bread crumbs, onion powder, sage, salt, a few grinds of black pepper, to taste, and parsley. Add the ground round, pork, eggs, and garlic and gently combine. Form into 8 equal-sized meatballs.
• In a 10-inch saute pan over medium-high heat, add the vegetable oil. When the oil begins to swirl, add the meatballs and sear until light golden on all sides, about 10 minutes. Transfer the pan to the oven and roast until cooked through, 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, make the sauce: In a large saucepan over medium heat, add the oil, onion, bell pepper, garlic, a pinch of salt, and a few grinds of black pepper, to taste. Saute until tender, then add the oregano, cayenne pepper, crushed tomatoes, and hot sauce. Taste and add sugar, if needed. Season, to taste, with salt and pepper. Bring the sauce to a simmer, and cook for about 20 minutes more.
• Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning, if necessary. Serve the cooked pasta with sauce and meatballs, divided among serving plates with 2 meatballs per serving. Garnish with Parmesan cheese.

CHEESY SPAGHETTI PIE WITH MEAT SAUCE

Steps:

• Position a rack in the lower third of the oven and preheat to 425˚ F. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Brush the bottom and sides of a 9-inch deep-dish pie plate with olive oil.
• Add the spaghetti to the boiling water and cook as the label directs for al dente. Reserve 1 cup cooking water, then drain the spaghetti and shake the colander to remove the excess water. Put the spaghetti in a large bowl and toss with 2 tablespoons olive oil and 1 teaspoon salt. Add the beaten eggs and 1/2 cup Parmesan, then toss.
• While the spaghetti cooks, heat the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and zucchini and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook until softened, 1 more minute. Crumble in the beef, season with 1/2 teaspoon salt and cook, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, until browned, 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in the oregano and red pepper flakes, then clear a spot in the center of the skillet and add the tomato paste. Let it toast for 30 seconds, then stir into the beef mixture. Add the tomato sauce, 1/2 cup of the reserved cooking water and 1/4 teaspoon salt, then bring to a simmer and cook until very thick, 3 to 5 minutes. Season with more salt to taste.
• To assemble the pie, transfer the spaghetti mixture to the pie plate and press to form a crust with a flat bottom and slightly higher sides. Spread the ricotta in the spaghetti crust, leaving a border around the edges. Spoon the meat sauce on top, then sprinkle with the mozzarella and the remaining 2 tablespoons Parmesan. Bake until the bottom and sides of the pie are golden and the cheese is browned, about 25 minutes. Transfer to a rack and let cool 5 minutes before slicing.

CROWD-SOURCED SPAGHETTI AND MEATBALLS

Steps:

• Make the meatballs: Combine the beef, breadcrumbs, cheese, garlic, parsley, basil and 3/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper in a large bowl. Whisk together the milk, egg and Worcestershire sauce in a small bowl. Pour over the meat and gently mix with your hands until well blended. Roll into 12 golf ball-size meatballs. Refrigerate until chilled, at least 20 minutes.
• Heat the olive oil in a large Dutch oven or other pot over medium-high heat. Add the meatballs in a single layer and cook, turning, until well browned all over, 6 to 8 minutes. Remove the meatballs to a plate and set aside. Discard the oil and gently wipe out the pot with a paper towel.
• Make the sauce: Heat the olive oil in the same pot over medium heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring, until translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in the garlic, parsley, basil and 1/2 teaspoon each salt and pepper; cook 1 minute. Add the wine and cook, scraping up the browned bits from the bottom of the pot, until the wine is nearly evaporated, about 2 minutes. Stir in the tomatoes, chicken broth, sugar and 1/2 cup water.
• Add the meatballs to the sauce. Bring to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low and cook until the meatballs are cooked through and the sauce thickens slightly, 18 to 20 minutes; season with salt and pepper.
• Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook as the label directs for al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup cooking water, then drain. Return the spaghetti to the pasta pot, ladle in about half of the sauce and toss well to coat, adding more sauce if necessary. Divide the spaghetti and meatballs among bowls. Top with Parmesan and serve with the remaining sauce.