Mushroom Meatballs with Classic Marinara Sauce

  • Preparation Time
    Prep:
    20 min.
  • Cooking Time
    Cook:
    40 min.
  • Serves
    Serves:
    4

These moist and tender meatballs are made with ground beef and ground mushrooms, then spiked with Better Than Bouillon® Roasted Beef Base for rich flavor.

Recipe tags: beef base, easy difficulty, beef

Ingredients

Homemade Marinara Sauce

Quantity Ingredient
3 Tbsp olive oil
½ onion chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 pinch each salt and pepper
1 jar (24 oz) puréed tomatoes
1 tsp Better Than Bouillon® Roasted Beef Base
1 bay leaf

Meatballs

Quantity Ingredient
½ lb cremini mushrooms
½ lb lean ground beef
¾ cup dry bread crumbs
1 egg
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided
2 Tbsp Better Than Bouillon® Roasted Beef Base
1 Tbsp olive oil
1 clove garlic, minced
½ tsp dried oregano
½ tsp red pepper flakes
¼ tsp pepper
¼ cup finely sliced fresh basil
12 oz spaghetti

Directions

Directions for Homemade Marinara Sauce

  • 1

    Heat oil in Dutch oven or large saucepan set over medium heat; cook onion, garlic, salt and pepper for 3 to 5 minutes or until tender. Pour in tomatoes, beef base and bay leaf; bring to boil. Reduce heat to low. Simmer for 15 to 20 minutes or until thickened slightly.

Directions for Meatballs

  • 1

    Meanwhile, preheat oven to 400°F. In food processor, grind mushrooms until very finely chopped; transfer to large bowl. Mix in ground beef, bread crumbs, egg, 2 Tbsp Parmesan, 1 Tbsp beef base, olive oil, garlic, oregano, red pepper flakes and pepper. Roll into 1-inch meatballs. Arrange in single layer on parchment paper–lined baking sheet. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until cooked through. Stir meatballs into sauce; simmer for 10 to 15 minutes or until soft and tender. Stir in basil.

  • 2

    Meanwhile, cook spaghetti according to package directions in boiling water seasoned with remaining beef base; drain, reserving 1/3 cup cooking water. Toss together spaghetti, cooking water and 1 1/2 cups sauce until well coated.

  • 3

    Divide spaghetti among 4 plates; top with meatballs, and extra sauce if desired. Serve with remaining Parmesan cheese.