Prep time:5-8 minutes or 15 minutes depending on method
Everyone and their nonna has their own way of doing this Italian-American classic. Ours involves tender beef & cheese meatballs, spaghetti and a savory scratch-made tomato sugo spiked with garlic, basil & fennel. Buon appetito, Fam!
In your bag
Spaghetti
6 beef & ricotta meatballs
Tomato sugo
Grated Parmesan
Fresh broccoli & garlic butter
At home
Aluminum foil OR microwave-safe dish
Medium pot
Microwave-safe bowl
Saute pan and butter (optional for plain pasta)
The Meatballs & Tomato Sugo
Warm your meatballs!
Option #1 (in the microwave): Add meatballs to a microwave-safe dish and pour about half of the tomato sugo on top. Cover with a damp paper towel & microwave until warmed to your liking.
Option #2 (in the oven): Preheat oven to 350°F. Place the meatballs in the wooden eco tray with half of the tomato sugo poured over top. Cover the tray with foil and heat for 15 minutes or until meatballs are warmed to your liking.
The Spaghetti & Tomato Sugo
Add the remainder of your sauce to a medium pot. Warm the sauce over medium heat for several minutes until the sauce is simmering.
Toss your noodles directly into the sauce. Add a splash of water if the sauce is looking thick. Season with S&P.
For Plain Pasta:
Don’t want your pasta in the sauce? Warm your saute pan on the stove over medium heat. Add your pasta and a pat of butter or a tablespoon of water. Warm the pasta over medium heat for ~5 minutes until the pasta is heated through.
The Broccoli
Place your broccoli in a microwave-safe bowl, add a few tablespoons of water, and cover with a plate or microwave-safe lid. Microwave for about 3 minutes, until the broccoli is bright green and tender.
Drain excess water from the bowl and add the garlic butter to the broccoli. Microwave until the butter is just melted, then toss to coat and season with S&P.
Use a fork (or tongs if you like) to twirl your spaghetti into your bowl, creating a noodle nest. Pop a few meatballs on top, and garnish with a sprinkling of grated Parm. Broccoli goes on the side!
Freezing for later? The spaghetti, meatballs, tomato sugo and parmesan can be frozen for up to 3 months. When ready to eat, thaw in the fridge overnight, then follow the stovetop or microwave instructions above! Your broccoli is best enjoyed fresh ;)