Who doesn’t like a good spaghetti and meatball dish. When giving up pasta it can be difficult to find recipes that really satisfy that craving. I developed this simple recipe and serve it over spaghetti squash or miracle noodles and my husband loves it. I make the sauce in an Instant pot but you can do it on a stove top.
Ingredients
¼ cup avocado oil
4 cups organic tomatoes cut in quarters
2 large organic onion, peeled and chopped (divided)
3 TBSP minced garlic (divided)
1 cup organic mushrooms, sliced
2 cups chicken or beef bone broth
2 cups fresh herbs (basil, oregano, chives and/or parsley) – if you don’t have fresh herbs then add 2 TBSP of two different dried herbs.
1 or more hot jalapeno peppers (optional depending on how hot you like your sauce) cored, seeded, and chopped
1 lb ground grass-fed beef
1 egg, beaten
Salt & pepper to taste
2 packages miracle noodles or spaghetti squash
Directions
Set Instant Pot to sauté and add avocado oil until heated or heat oil in soup pot on medium-high heat. Add 3/4 of the onions and 2 TBSP of garlic and cook until fragrant and tender, about 5-6 minutes. Add mushrooms and peppers (if adding) and cook another 2 minutes. Add tomatoes and salt and pepper and cook for 5 minutes. Add bone broth and cover and set pressure cooker to 12 minutes. If using a soup pot then simmer for 30 minutes.
While marinara sauce is cooking preheat oven to 350°. Cover a baking sheet with foil. Add ground beef, the rest of the onions, and garlic to a bowl and mix well with your hands. Add egg and salt and pepper and mix until fully combined. Form into meatballs and put on baking dish. Cook for 20 minutes or until meatballs are done (depending on size).
When sauce is done release pressure and remove lid. Add herbs. Take an emulsifier and blend until you get to the consistency of the sauce you like. We like ours a little chunky so this doesn’t take long. If you’re using a blender take out half the sauce and blend (be really careful as the sauce is really hot so only blend in small batches) and then add it back to your soup pot. Keep on simmer until you’re ready to serve.
If serving over miracle noodles prepare 2 packages according to directions. If serving over spaghetti squash then make that first as it takes the longest. When done put half on each plate. Add marinara sauce and 4 meatballs and serve. Garnish with fresh parsley.