Spaghetti and Meatballs in Tomato-Basil Sauce

I really cannot take credit for this recipe, it is actually one of Rachel Ray's recipes. But I have changed a few things to my liking. If you want to see the original RR recipe here is the link http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/rachael-ray/spaghetti-meatballs-and-tomato-basil-sauce-recipe/index.html, otherwise here is my version.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees


Pesto Ingredients:

1 large bunch of flat leaf Italian parsley, leaves only
1 bunch basil, leaves only
3/4 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
2 cloves garlic, quartered
1/4 cup lightly toasted pine nuts
Salt and pepper to taste
1/3 cup Extra Virgin Light Tasting Olive Oil

Make a thick herb pesto by placing herbs, cheese, garlic, salt, pepper and pine nuts in a food processor. Turn processor on and stream in 1/3 cup olive oil. Ths will be divided for half in the sauce and half in the meatballs.


Sauce Ingredients:

Extra Virgin Light Tasting Olive Oil
1 small onion, finely chopped
1 small carrot, finely chopped or grated
1 cup beef stock (or 1 tsp. beef bouillon granules with 1 cup water)
1 (28 oz.) can crushed tomatoes
1 Tbsp. sugar
Salt and Pepper to taste
1/2 of Pesto mixture

Heat a healthy drizzle of olive oil in a sauce pot over medium-high heat. Add onions and carrots, season with salt and pepper, and saute for 5 minutes. Stir in stock, add tomatoes and cook for 5 minutes more. Then stir in remaining pesto mixture and set aside. *Another quick option for a sauce could be 1 bottle of prego sauce substituted for the tomatoes, beef broth, carrots and onion.


Meatball Ingredients:

1 pound ground beef
Salt and pepper
1 egg
1 cup bread crumbs
1/2 of Pesto mixture

Place meat in a bowl. Season the meat with salt and pepper. Add egg, bread crumbs and the other half of the pesto mixture. Mix to combine and form 16 balls and place in a hot skillet. Sprinkle with a little olive oil and brown the meatballs. Take them out of the skillet and place in a baking dish and add half of the sauce on top of the meatballs. Place in preheated 400 degree oven for 30 minutes, or until done.

While meatballs are cooking, boil some water and cook your desired amount of spaghetti noodles. Spoon remaining sauce over cooked noodles and cooked meatballs and wahla! Enjoy!!!