Sausage Meatballs and Spaghetti

This was a full weekend of soccer for the Davis family.  We kicked off our weekend by cheering on the UGA soccer team in Athens on Friday night.  Courtney played in her travel soccer season on Saturday afternoon then turned around and played another game on Sunday afternoon.  (Like I said earlier - a FULL weekend of soccer.)

After years of cheering for Courtney on the field, Ben and I have become much more educated soccer fans.  It's so much fun to watch her play the sport that she loves. 

In preparation for the beginning of soccer season, we carbo-loaded on Friday night.  (Yes, Ben and I carbo loaded with her.  Fans burn calories too, you know.)  I tried a new recipe from my Cooks Illustrated magazine for Sausage Meatballs and Spaghetti.  (One of Courtney's favorites.) 

This homemade spaghetti and meatball dinner was super quick and easy to make.  As usual, I had way too many things on my Friday afternoon "to-do" list than I would ever have the time to accomplish so I didn't even get started on this dinner until 4:00.  Within an hour of starting dinner - we were sitting at the table, enjoying this delicious meal. 

Sausage Meatballs with Spaghetti
Meatballs
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
4 teaspoons water
12 ounces ground pork
2 slices white bread
1/3 cup heavy cream
1/3 cup Parmesan cheese
2 egg yolks
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon fennel seeds
1 teaspoon oregano
1 teaspoon pepper
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
12 ounces sweet Italian sausage, casings removed

Tomato Sauce
2 Tablespoons olive oil
1 clove garlic, minced
28 ounce can crushed tomatoes
15 ounces tomato sauce
salt
1 Tablespoon minced fresh basil

1 pound spaghetti

For the meatballs:
Preheat oven to 500.  Dissolve salt and baking soda in water.  Add pork and fold gently.  Let stand 10 minutes. 

Pulse bread, cream, Parmesan, egg yolks, garlic, fennel, oregano, pepper and pepper flakes in food processor.

Add pork mixture and pulse until combined.

Transfer half of pork to now empty bowl.  Add sausage to food processor and pulse to combine. 

Transfer all meat to pork bowl and gently combine with hands.

Lightly shape into meatballs and arrange on a wire rack placed over a foil lined baking sheet.

Bake 15 minutes.

For the tomato sauce:
Heat oil in skillet.  Add garlic and cook 1 minute.

Stir in tomatoes, tomato sauce and 1/4 teaspoon salt.  Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer 10 minutes.

Add meatballs to sauce and simmer 10 minutes.  Add basil and salt to taste. 

Can we just take a moment to take in the beauty of these meatballs?

Cook pasta and spoon some sauce over the noodles.

Add meatballs and serve to your favorite soccer players - AND fans.

As for the weekend games, I'll spare you the complete collection of pictures and just post a few of my favorites from the games. 

This girl makes us proud. 

Ciao!

Click here for a printable version of this recipe