She’s a Lady and he’s a Tramp

Everytime I eat spaghetti I think of Lady & The Tramp – the romance story of a sheltered Cocker Spaniel and a streetwise downtown mutt….huh.  I guess you could compare Grumpy & I the same way….and believe me, I was sheltered.  I do like to think that I’ve taught Grumpy some finesse, while I am certain he has opened me up to the world of what’s real out there too!

This spaghetti is a recipe I saw on my blogging buddy Katrina’s blog, Baking with Boys.  I’m crazy about pasta dishes – and I admit I am much happier when the pasta is the fresh kind and not out of a box….but this time I did cook the pasta from the box.  I heard from Grumpy the exclamation “you didn’t use fresh?!” and knew then and there that he is totally spoiled.  ha!

I didn’t have ground chicken or turkey, but I did have ground 90% lean beef so I went ahead and used that. Next time however I would go with the ground chicken or turkey for sure. I made a some changes in how it was assembled also – make sure you check out Katrina’s blog for her version!

Uptown Spaghetti & Meatballs
adapted from Baking and Boys

Meatballs:
Cooking Spray
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 cups (firmly packed) arugula finely chopped (Katrina steamed hers, I didn’t)
1 pound 90% lean ground beef (I suggest you go with the chicken as I will next time!)
½ cup seasoned italian bread crumbs
½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1 large egg, lightly beaten
Salt and freshly ground pepper

Sauce:
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 large shallots, minced
¼ cup white wine (you can use chicken stock)
3-14.5 ounce cans diced fire roasted tomatoes with garlic, whizzed in a food processor
Salt and freshly ground pepper

Mix meatball ingredients all together and fry in a pan coated with cooking spray until browned on all sides.  Remove from pan and set aside.

Saute shallots in olive oil until softened.  Add white wine and tomatoes and bring to a boil.  Reduce heat and simmer on low about 20 minutes, until sauce starts to thicken some.  Season to taste with salt & pepper.

Serve over your favorite pasta.  In the future I will use fresh spaghetti!  🙂

Thanks Katrina!