Italian Sausage Meatballs

Sunday dinners to me usually consist of spaghetti and meatballs because, as a child, my parents used to take us to the Old Spaghetti Factory in Downtown, San Diego. Unfortunately, the restaurant is closed now but my childhood memories still prevail. Last night I made my husband's favorite: Spaghetti and meatballs. I bought the ready-made meat sauce at the Mona Lisa deli counter. I also picked up about a pound of ground sausage--if you don't have an Italian deli near you, just get your favorite red pasta sauce and a package of Italian Sausages. Remove the casings from the sausages and mush it all together like ground meat). First turn on oven to 400 F. Then mix the ground sausage with 1 egg, 1/2 cup bread crumbs, 2 TBSP pasta sauce, 1/2 TSP. kosher salt, and ground garlic, oregano, basil and red pepper flakes to taste. If the mixture is too loose, add a bit more breadcrumbs. You want the consistency to make 8 large (about 1-1/2" diameter) meatballs. Fry the meatballs on medium-high heat for about 2 minutes per side. You don't need to add oil to the skillet because the sausage meat should have enough fat in it. (If you are using lean sausage, then add one teaspoon of olive oil). Next, line a baking pan with aluminum foil and lightly spray with PAM or olive oil. Place the meatballs in the pan and bake in the hot oven for 15 minutes, or until cooked through.

While the meatballs are baking, start to boil a large pot of water for the spaghetti. Make sure to season the water with a large dash of kosher salt. Once the water boils, add your pasta (1/2 lb for 2 people, 1 lb for 4 people) and cook based on package directions.

Place the of meat sauce (or your favorite pasta sauce) in another sauce pan and start to simmer it on low.

Take the meatballs out of the oven and add them to the simmering sauce and simmer for another 10 to 15 minutes.

Your pasta should be done by now, make sure to drain it well. Once drained, place the pasta back into the same pot it was cooked in and add about a teaspoon of olive oil to keep it separated. Now you are ready to serve. Place a mound of spaghetti and top with your meat sauce and two meatballs. Garlic bread goes well with this meal and so does Lambrusco wine. Believe me, this will be your favorite Sunday meal!

This meal will serve 4 very hungry Minnesotans.