Pioneer Woman Baked Spaghetti And Meatballs Food

SKILLET SPAGHETTI AND MEATBALLS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
• Cook the spaghetti according to its package instructions, removing from the pasta water 1 minute prior to "al dente". Set aside.
• Meanwhile, combine the beef, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, cream, egg, half the garlic and 1 tablespoon oregano in a large bowl. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Using your hands or a wooden spatula, mix together until well combined. Portion into 10 meatballs. Set aside.
• Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Brown the meatballs, turning as needed, until browned on all sides, 5 to 6 minutes. Move the meatballs to the edge of the skillet.
• Reduce the heat to medium and add the onion to the center of the skillet, along with the remaining garlic and oregano. Cook to release the flavor, a minute or two. Add the tomatoes and crushed red pepper, along with 1/2 cup hot water. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper, then carefully stir the meatballs into the sauce. Simmer, allowing the sauce to reduce slightly and the meatballs to finish cooking, about 15 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
• Add the pasta to the skillet and toss with the sauce, making sure to thoroughly coat the noodles in the sauce. Arrange the meatballs on top of the pasta and sprinkle the mozzarella on top, being careful not to completely cover the meatballs and sauce (so it looks pretty after baking) and transfer to the oven. Bake until bubbly and the cheese is completely melted, about 12 minutes.
• Remove the skillet from the oven and top with Parmesan and the fresh basil. Serve straight from the skillet.

HOT AND CHEESY BAKED MEATBALLS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
• Add the arrabbiata sauce to a 12-inch cast-iron skillet and top with the peppers. Add the meatballs, then bake until the meatballs are cooked through, 18 to 20 minutes. Remove the meatballs from the oven, then turn the oven to the broiler setting.
• Sprinkle the crushed red pepper flakes over the meatballs, then lay a slice of mozzarella over the top of each meatball. Place under the broiler for 3 to 4 minutes to melt the cheese, watching closely so that nothing burns. Scatter over the torn basil.
• Serve with crusty bread and a dressed salad.

RIGATONI AND MEATBALLS

Steps:

• For the meatballs: Preheat the oven to 200 degrees F. Place the bread on a baking sheet. Bake until totally dry, about 30 minutes.
• Break the bread into chunks. Pulse in a food processor until the bread turns into crumbs. Throw in the meat into a large mixing bowl. Add the breadcrumbs, Parmesan, milk, parsley, garlic, eggs, salt and some pepper. Use clean hands to mix together until well combined.
• Use a scoop to retrieve a small amount of the meat mixture, and roll it in your hands to make meatballs (about 25). Place on a pan and put the pan in the freezer for 10 to 15 minutes, just to firm them up.
• Heat the olive oil in a heavy pot over medium-high heat. Working with 8 to 10 meatballs at a time, cook them until brown but not cooked all the way through, 2 to 3 minutes per batch. Remove from the pot to a plate while you make the sauce.
• For the sauce: Add the garlic and onions to the meatball pot. Stir and cook until the onion begins to soften, 1 to 2 minutes. Add the wine and cook for another minute. (Just omit this step if you're not using wine.) Add the crushed tomatoes, whole tomatoes, sugar, salt and pepper to taste.
• Stir the sauce to combine all the ingredients. Cover and reduce the heat to a simmer. Cook for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. If sauce needs more liquid, just add in a little water. Then throw in the parsley, basil and the meat-a-balls! Stir gently, then cover and cook for 20 more minutes, stirring once or twice until the meatballs are cooked through.
• Heap the rigatoni on a large platter and pile the meatballs and sauce on the top. Sprinkle on some extra minced parsley and serve with extra grated Parmesan.