Basil Infused Spaghetti and Meatballs | Christmas Meals

Christmas is almost here! It’s time to get into the kitchen and make all your favorite holiday meals especially my Basil Infused Spaghetti and Meatballs .Green spaghetti is certainly a bold choice of color but it undoubtedly pops on camera and in your mouth ! It is a stellar representation of festive meals and it really signals that the holidays are here.The meatballs together with the sauce and the spaghetti taste like pure heaven in your mouth. 

Enough of the chatting. I know you’re getting hungry reading this. It’s time to cook! By the way, fresh Basil plays a crucial part in this recipe so I strongly recommend that you don’t substitute it for dried Basil. Fresh Basil escalates the flavor profile of the meatballs and sauce tremendously.

Servings :4

INGREDIENTS 

• 1 packet of green spaghetti 
• Green food coloring 
• 2 basil leaves 

For the meatballs 

• 2 cups ground beef
• 1 tbsp salt
• 1 tbsp black pepper 
• 6 leaves fresh basil finely chopped
• 1 small onion finely chopped 
• 3 tbsp beef spice 

For the meatball sauce 

• 2 can chopped tomato 
• 1/4 cup sugar 
• 1 tbsp black pepper 
• 1/4 cup finely chopped Basil

For garnish 

• 1/2 cup finely grated mozzarella cheese 
• 1/2 cup finely grated cheddar cheese
• 2 lemons cut into wedges 
• Fresh parsley 

INSTRUCTIONS 

1. Add three drops of food coloring and 2 tbsp of cooking oil to the spaghetti before adding the hot water.
2. Place 2 basil leaves in the pot with the spaghetti and let the spaghetti cook for 15 minutes before draining out the excess water.
3. In a large bowl ,combine all the ingredients for the meatballs.
4. Roll the mixture into about 15 balls.
5. Heat oil in a medium sized skillet (frying pan) .
6. Place about 5 meatballs into the skillet and let them fry for at least 7 minutes before tossing ( this will ensure that they don’t break).
7. Fry them for an additional 6 minutes before removing them from the skillet.
8. After preparing the meatballs, add all the ingredients for the sauce into the same skillet.
9. Stir the sauce and let it cook for on medium-high heat for 10 minutes.
10. Add the meatballs to the sauce and cook for 7 more minutes ensuring that the meatballs are all coated in the sauce.
11. Dish the spaghetti in a column shape and add about 5 meatballs to each plate.
12. Garnish with the grated cheese, lemons, fresh basil and fresh parsley.Enjoy!