Italian Pork Meatballs with Spaghetti and Feta
Herb-seasoned pork meatballs browned in olive oil with sauteed onion and tomato pasta sauce, tossed with spaghetti and finished under the grill with crumbled feta and fresh basil. Quick weeknight pasta with Italian flavors and a crispy cheese topping.
Ingredients
- 4 pork sausagesground pork1 lbprotein
use 1 lb ground pork mixed with herbs instead
- ½ oz Italian herb mix, finely choppedfresh sage, oregano, rosemary1:1seasoning
fresh herbs as listed in source
- 1 ¾ oz lemon and pepper breadcrumbspanko1:1binderadds gluten
plain panko breadcrumbs
- 7 oz spaghetti
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 1 lb tomato pasta saucecrushed tomatoes1:1sauce
use canned crushed tomatoes with salt and oregano
- fresh basil, chopped, plus reserved leaves
- 1 ¾ oz feta, crumbled
Instructions
- 1
Remove meat from sausage casings, discard skins. Combine meat with mixed herbs and breadcrumbs in a bowl.
- 2
Shape mixture into 8 equal balls, place on a plate, and freeze for 5 minutes.
- 3
Preheat grill to medium-high.
- 4
Cook spaghetti according to packet instructions, then drain.
- 5
Heat olive oil in a large frying pan and cook onion for about 5 minutes.
- 6
Add meatballs to pan and cook for 5 minutes, turning frequently, until browned.
- 7
Stir in tomato sauce and chopped basil, then simmer for 10 minutes.
- 8
Transfer cooked spaghetti to a baking dish.
- 9
Add meatballs and sauce to the dish.
- 10
Sprinkle feta over top.
- 11
Grill for 5 minutes.
- 12
Serve scattered with reserved basil leaves.
Tips
Freeze meatballs briefly to help them hold their shape during browning.
Turn meatballs frequently while cooking to ensure even browning on all sides.
Good to Know
Refrigerate leftover meatballs and sauce in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Do not store grilled assembled dish.
Prepare and freeze meatballs (after 5-minute chill) for up to 1 month. Thaw before cooking. Make sauce ahead and refrigerate for up to 2 days.
Serve immediately while meatballs are warm and feta is soft from grilling. Reserved basil adds fresh finish.
Common Mistakes
Do not skip the freezer step to avoid meatballs breaking apart during browning.
Do not overcrowd the pan to avoid steaming meatballs instead of browning them.
Do not grill longer than 5 minutes to avoid drying out the meatballs.
Substitutions
Dairy-Free Swaps
General Alternatives
fresh herbs as listed in source