Name: Spaghetti and Waffled Meatballs
Total time: 1 h 30 min
Yield: 4
Ingredients: 4 clove garlic; 2 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil; 2 can whole plum tomatoes; 1/4 tsp. red pepper flakes; salt; Freshly ground black pepper; 12 oz. spaghetti; 1 lb. lean ground beef or turkey; 10 oz. frozen chopped spinach; 1 large egg; 1/4 c. plain bread crumbs; 1/4 c. finely chopped onion; 1/4 c. grated Parmesan cheese; 2 clove garlic; 1/2 tsp. salt; nonstick cooking spray

Step 1To make this all come together, begin preparing the sauce first, so it can simmer, and let the water come to a boil while you work on the meatballs. Then you can cook the meatballs and the pasta at the same time. (Or cook the meatballs first and keep them warm in the preheated oven while you cook the pasta.) Make the marinara sauce: Cut each clove of garlic in half and flatten it with the flat side of a knife blade, pressing down with your palm to crush the garlic. Remove the garlic peel. (It should come off easily.)

Step 2Place the 2 tablespoons of olive oil and the crushed garlic cloves in a large saucepan over medium-low heat. Cook until the garlic is fragrant and just beginning to turn golden, about 3 minutes.

Step 3While the garlic is cooking, partially drain the tomatoes by pouring off only the liquid at the top of the can. Use a fork or kitchen shears to rip the tomatoes into large, uneven chunks in the can.

Step 4Add the tomatoes and red pepper flakes to the saucepan, taking care to guard against splashing as the tomatoes meet the hot oil.

Step 5Cook over medium heat until the sauce begins to bubble, about 5 minutes. Simmer on medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until the tomatoes break down, 45 minutes. You should be left with a thick, somewhat chunky sauce. Taste and adjust the seasoning by adding salt and pepper.

Step 6Make the pasta: Bring a large pot of water to a boil over high heat.

Step 7Preheat the waffle iron on medium. Preheat the oven on its lowest setting.

Step 8While the sauce simmers and the pasta water comes to a boil, make the meatballs: In a large mixing bowl, combine all of the ingredients for the meatballs, except for the cooking spray, and mix well.

Step 9Form the mixture into 16 balls and place on a cutting board covered with waxed or parchment paper.

Step 10Add the spaghetti to the boiling water and cook according to package directions. Drain and keep warm.

Step 11Coat both sides of the waffle iron grid with nonstick spray. Place as many meatballs as will fit on the waffle iron, leaving a bit of space for each to expand when flattened.

Step 12Close the lid and cook until the meatballs are browned on the outside and cooked through, 6 minutes. You may have to cut into one to make sure that no traces of pink remain. If you have an instant-read thermometer, beef should be at least 160 degrees F and turkey should be at least 165 degrees F.

Step 13Remove the meatballs from the waffle iron. Repeat Steps 11 and 12 to cook the remaining meatballs. If the other components are not ready yet, keep the meatballs warm in the preheated oven.

Step 14Serve a generous portion of pasta with 4 waffled meatballs, topped sparingly with sauce. Drizzle with extra-virgin olive oil and dust with Parmesan. Serve extra sauce at the table.

Spaghetti and Waffled Meatballs

Ingredients

Marinara Sauce and Pasta

Waffled Meatballs

Directions

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