Tempt My Tummy Tuesday

A couple times a month (or more) we have spaghetti.  I have a friend who is 100% Italian and this is how she makes her spaghetti and how I make mine now.  Normally I use ground beef, but I recently found another way to make it.  A way that I never thought I would like! But I do!!  So without further ado, I give you…

Spaghetti and Meatballs (this will feed 6-8)

What you need:

• 2-3 (26.5) cans spaghetti sauce (depending on how “saucy” you like your spaghetti)
• 2-4 (14.5) cans diced tomatoes, whatever variety you enjoy (depending on how many tomatoes you like in your sauce)
• fresh or canned mushrooms, as many as you like or NONE!
• basil, oregano, salt pepper and  any other Italian seasoning you like, to taste
• meatballs (either make home-made or you can use store bought Italian or home-style)
• 12 to 16 ounces spaghetti noodles (can use any pasta you like)

**Meatball recipe**

1 beaten egg; 3/4 c. soft bread crumbs (about 1 slice); 1/4 c. chopped onion; 1/4 t. dried oregano, crushed; 1/4 t. salt; 12 ounces ground beef.  mix well; shape into a 6x 4 inch rectangle on wax paper.  cut into 1 inch squares.  roll squares into balls.  arrange meatballs in a 15x10x1 inch baking pan.  bake at 350° oven 15 to 20 minutes or until no longer pink.  drain well.  this will make approx. 24- 1 inch meatballs

What to do:

• simply add all ingredients EXCEPT pasta to a large pot.  Heat almost to boiling, reduce heat and simmer at least 15 minutes to allow to come to full flavor
• cook pasta according to package directions
• serve sauce and meatballs over hot pasta

My favorite sides with this meal include salad and rolls or garlic toast and sometimes another vegetable.

For more Tempt My Tummy goodness…go see Lisa!