Spaghetti and Meatballs - The 1 Ingredient You Should NEVER Leave Out

Today we're making spaghetti and meatballs. These meatballs are super tender because of the ricotta addition. The sauce is super flavorful too and the best part is the whole recipe can be made in under 75 minutes! We hope you enjoy this spaghetti and ricotta meatballs recipe!

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****PRINT RECIPE WITH INSTRUCTIONS AND PROCESS SHOTS****
SPAGHETTI AND MEATBALLS PRINT RECIPE:

INGREDIENTS WITH GRAM AMOUNTS (Gram amounts are estimates)

For The Sauce
1 pound (454g) spaghetti
¼ cup (56g) extra virgin olive oil
8 cloves garlic - sliced
2 small anchovy fillets - optional
½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
½ cup (120g) dry white wine
1 28-ounce (794g) can plum tomatoes - hand crushed or blender pulsed
2 24-ounce (680g per jar) jars passata
salt and pepper - to taste
¼ packed cup basil - hand torn
1 cup (240g) water - optional - For thinning sauce if needed
For The Meatballs
4 slices white bread - ends removed and cubed
1 cup (120g) ricotta
1 pound (454g) ground chuck
1 pound (454g) ground pork
1 cup (100g)Pecorino Romano - grated
½ cup flat-leaf Italian parsley - minced
2 large eggs
2 cloves garlic paste
1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt
½ teaspoon black pepper

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[SipandFeast]

As I said in the video, I often change up my sauce. It keeps things interesting in the kitchen and I encourage you to experiment often as well. Ricotta makes a very tender meatball and I recommend adding it to your meatballs. I'm pretty sure you will love it. The print recipe and ingredients are linked in the description. As always, thanks so much for liking and sharing our videos!

[alphabravoh]

Love how he can't describe perfection, but knows when it isn't perfect. Love his honesty though. Great kid you've got there.

[MHarenArt]

Tara does a GREAT job being your videographer! I'll bet she does a lot more than just record the videos!!! Bravo Tara!!

[waldopepper]

"take a breath" "chew, chew" - your relationship with your son is great - and hilarious. and he's a typical teenager. not sure if you can see it, but he's proud of his dad. and your producer / camera man wife chimes in - "james, what could dad have have done to make it a ten ?" - "um, i dont know mum, maybe up my allowance". just hilarious. what a great channel. god bless you all.

[franniemelville]

Kids love what they're used to...there's no way you could have topped your original meatball recipe in his eyes! lol. So sweet. Those meatballs look and sound amazing! I'll definitely try it with ricotta!

[candy]

James is such a recipe trooper. What kid doesn't adore spaghetti and meatballs? Great video!

[vincentcardilloiv]

I'm 63 and still eat spaghetti and meatballs like James. Love your channel and have incorporated your recipes with mine thanks for sharing.

[momma]

🍝I have made many of your recipes and they are always delicious! I have to say the best part of your channel is how you light up when James comes in the kitchen, what a great dad you are! And momma behind the camera! Super nice family! My family sends love to your family we live in New York! ❤️🇮🇹😘💯%🇮🇹❤️🇮🇹❤️

[oscarchagoya]

What I love most is how you love your family. They all are beautiful.

[vires-et-honore]

Like the idea of adding ricotta to the meatballs. I do that with meat filling for cannelloni. Adding an extra egg can also soften the meatballs. Great editing.

[pardefarmeaurx]

I love how James devours an entire dish in 2 minutes speechless and gives it an 8.5 🤣

[rachaelbubnov]

I love to see you so carefully presenting the meatballs to James and awaiting his critique like you’re in front of Gordon Ramsey 😊

[wesleyzain]

For meatballs: You should combine all ingredients except the meat; you can mix them thoroughly without risking toughening up the meat mix. Plus, you get even distribution of flavors when you add the meat. That’s how most professional kitchens do it. Thank you for your recipes & your dedication to Italian-American cuisine!

[jbjacobs]

I have used ricotta before in meatballs! I love it! It adds a wonderful creamy, sweet flavor and adds depth. I grew up with meatloaf and meatballs always with the trio (when we could afford) beef, pork, and veal. No one ever uses it now and the people I speak to don't know about the veal for some reason. They were/are missing out! When I was growing up, my grandma did potted meatballs, so they were much softer (they were not in tomato sauce; more stew type sauce). My mom made more traditional meatballs as I mentioned and they were a bit denser than my grandma's. Personally I love either but I like them softer - easier to eat and juicier, more flavorful.

[otstan]

If you ever come out with a cook book I will buy it immediately. There was a time in my last cycle of depression where for months I ate nothing but pasta and had no energy to eat anything else. Your videos saved me.

[julias]

I love how you love feeding and pleasing James. You’re all great together.

[ellengordon]

I love watching your videos, but James is the star! He cracks me up!

[docschweitz]

Some of the BEST and most Practical GOURMET instructional recipes to be found ANYWHERE on the Internet. I simply have NEVER EVER seen one of your videos that DID NOT DELIVER! EVER! Your videos are TRULY INSTRUCTIONAL!!!! I have not followed your video instruction and had a BAD result. Your Videos are SO SO SO informative!!! Julia Child would be PROUD of your efforts. A Great Family, great concept, involving your is just BEAUTIFUL!!!! TY for your efforts and recipes. You are a GREAT SECRET. I cannot express in words how GREAT it is what you do. KEEP EM
Your channel is as important as any cooking show I have EVER seen in my 64 years. TRUTH!

[dantesnow]

You are a wonderful chef. I love the way you include your family.

[danhansen]

Honestly I think you've got the best cooking channel on youtube!! The food is great and the instructions and explanations of fundmentals have really helped my cooking. Thanks!!