Mozzarella Meat Balls And Spaghetti

Description
This is a recipe found a few years ago in "The Cook's Kitchen Collection". I made it for a dinner with friends and we loved it. Although I'm often tempted to use prepackaged meatballs for myself, when I cook spaghetti & meatballs for guests this is my favorite meatball recipe. If you have kids let them mix up and make the meatballs - it's easy and they'll have fun. Feel free to vary the seasoning for both the meat or the sauce.



Ingredients

 * 1 	 lb   lean ground beef
 * 1 	cup fresh white breadcrumbs
 * 1 	clove garlic, crushed
 * 2 	tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
 * salt and pepper (optional)
 * 1 	egg, beaten
 * 5 	ounces mozzarella cheese
 * 1 	tablespoon vegetable oil
 * 1 	onion, chopped
 * 1 (14 	ounces) can tomatoes, chopped
 * 12 	ounces spaghetti (or preferred pasta)

Directions

 * Put the beef, breadcrumbs, garlic, half the parsley, salt& pepper into a bowl.
 * Add the egg and mix well.
 * Cut the mozzarella cheese into 16 small cubes.
 * ake a heaped teaspoonful of beef mixture and form it into a ball around each cube of cheese.
 * Heat the oil in a large covered pan, add the meat balls to the pan, cover and cook until brown on all sides.
 * Add the onion to the pan, cook for 2 to 3 minutes, then add the tomatoes and juice.
 * Bring up to a simmering point, cover and cook for 30 minutes.
 * Uncover pan and cook for a further 10 minutes to allow the sauce to reduce and thicken slightly.
 * While the meatballs are cooking, cook the spaghetti in boiling water until done to your preference.
 * Drain well and divide among 4 warmed plates.
 * Divide the sauce among the plates of spaghetti and then sprinkle with the remaining parsley.