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La Piña en la Cocina

Embracing my Mexican heritage and sharing all the wonderful flavors, colors and foods I grew up with. Join me on this journey as I also learn new foods and cooking techniques. Dedicated to my parents Ramiro and Blanca.

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Home » Beef~Res » Spaghetti with Meatballs- Espagueti!

Spaghetti with Meatballs- Espagueti!

June 18, 20202 Comments

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Espagueti con albondigas translates to spaghetti with meatballs! I have to be honest that traditional spaghetti with meatballs was not a dish I grew up with. I did grow up enjoying mom albondiga soup and it’s still one of my favorites today. You know that I had to add my own Mexican twist, right?

Spaghetti with meatballs close up

Homemade meatballs are worth the effort!

I think my whole married life, I may have only purchased frozen pre-made meatballs once. That says it all, lol! The great thing is that you can add what you like and make it your own recipe. That is the beauty of cooking at home.

Spaghetti and Meatballs plated close up

Raw onion or sauteed onion?

Definitely sauteed for me! Just those few minutes of saute time on the onions and jalapeño realyl add so much flavor. And same goes with cooking or frying salsa or sauces. Adds a whole other level of flavor!

Collage photo of ingredients used to prepare meatballs

Pantry Staples!

Canned tomato products, chicken bouillon(or chicken base) and dried chiles are just a few of the pantry items that I have all of the time. Many times when I prepare red chile sauce, I prepare extra to store in my freezer. It comes in handy for recipes like this or more traditional dishes like chicken enchiladas.

Ingredients for the red sauce, chile sauce, whole tomatoes and chicken bouillon powder

This particular chile sauce is prepared with dried guajillo peppers ans is one of the more mild of all the dried chile varieties. See link for red chile sauce in the notes of the recipe below.

All of the sauce ingredients in the blender jar, top view

Good for a meal or an appetizer

This recipe is great for 4 hearty servings. You could make the meatballs half the size and just serve as an appetizer in the sauce. Sprinkle to plenty of cotija cheese and serve with slider rolls.

Uncooked meatballs formed in a baking dish
Browning meatballs with peppers and onions
Meatballs cooking in the sauce with a wooden spoon resting across the pot
Spaghetti and meatballs cooking in the sauce top view
Spaghetti and meatballs with cilantro garnish , plated close up

Any leftover rolls will work!

I often find myself with a few leftover homemade bolillos(rolls) and they are perfect for preparing quick garlic bread slices. Simply drizzle with olive oil. Rub a cut clove of garlic all over the surface of bread. Toaste on preheated skillet for a few minutes per side.

Quick garlic bread slices toasted in a shallow bowl
Top view of plated spaghetti and meatballs
Pinterest image of Spaghetti and Meatballs
Spaghetti and meatballs plated front view
Spaghetti and Meatballs plated close up

Spaghetti with Meatballs-Espagueti con Albondigas

I added a Mexican twist to classic spaghetti!
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Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Fusion, Mexican-Style
Prep Time: 30 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes minutes
Resting Time For Meatballs: 20 minutes minutes
Total Time: 1 hour hour 35 minutes minutes
Servings: 4 Servings

Ingredients

  • 28 ounce can whole tomatoes
  • 2 cups chile sauce- see link below in notes
  • 3 large cloves of garlic chopped
  • 3/4 tsp Mexican Oregano
  • 2 1/2 tsps chicken bouillon powder
  • Oil Olive oil, grapeseed oil
  • 2/3 cup onion diced
  • 1 jalapeno minced
  • 1 pound ground chuck
  • 1 tsp granulated garlic
  • 1/2 tsp cumin
  • 1 tsp pepper
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp parsley or cilantro
  • 1/3 tsp red pepper flakes
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/3 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 1/3 cup milk
  • Dash of hot sauce your choice
  • 12-14 ounces spaghetti previously cooked according to package
  • 1/2 cup Cotija Cheese finely crumbled
  • small green bell pepper diced

Instructions

  • In the blender add the can of whole tomatoes, chile sauce, 1 tsp oregano, 3 cloves of garlic, 2 1/2 tsps bouillon and 2 cups of water. Blend until smooth, Taste for salt and set aside.
  • In a small saute pan, heat 1 tablespoon of oil to medium heat. Add the 1/3 cup of onion and jalapeño. Reserve the remaining onion. Saute for 5 minutes, Remove from heat and let cool completely.
  • In a bowl, add the cooled sauteed onions and jalapeño. Also mix in the ground chuck, granulated garlic, cumin, pepper, salt, parsley, red pepper flakes, egg, panko, milk and hot sauce. Mix well and shape 12 meatballs. Transfer onto baking sheet(or pan) and chill for 20 minutes.
  • After 20 minutes, add 2-3 tablespoons of oil to large pot and preheat for a few minutes. Remove meatballs from refrigerator. Brown the meatballs in the hot oil for 7-10 minutes, turning as needed. Add the reserved onion and green bell pepper. Saute for another 2 minutes.
  • Pour in the blended sauce from the blender to the meatballs. Reduce heat slightly and cook at a steady simmer for 20 minutes. Fold in the cooked spaghetti and cook for just another 5 minutes. Serve right away. Garnish with cotija cheese and chopped cilantro

Notes

A red  chile sauce is easier than you think! Minimal ingredients is all it takes! A basic red chile sauce is a good addition when you just want to add some nice rd chile pepper flavors to any dish.
 
 
Tried this recipe?Mention @pinaenlacocina or tag #pinaenlacocina!

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Filed Under: Beef~Res, Pasta, Sauces Tagged With: Albondigas, Beef Recipes, Espaghetti, Meatballs, Sauces

Previous Post: « Beef Skirt Barbacoa (Barbacoa de Arrachera)
Next Post: Chile Piquin Aguachile »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. David

    June 21, 2020 at 11:55 pm

    It was delicious!! Will definitely make again, thank you.

    Reply
    • Sonia

      June 22, 2020 at 1:04 pm

      Thank You David!

      Reply

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Welcome!

Hi, my name is Sonia Mendez Garcia. My parents Ramiro and Blanca Mendez moved to the United States from Monterrey, Mexico in 1963. I am first generation Mexican American born in Los Angeles, California. Cooking has always been one of my passions in life. This is my journey and I can't wait to see what the future holds. Read More…

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