Smiling Spaghetti

Look closely and you'll surely see a smile in the plate of spaghetti and meatballs below:

The hidden "smile" was completely unintentional - I only noticed it after I took the picture.

This recipe is straightforward and quick - somewhere between 30 minutes and 1 hour of total prep/cooking time.

Ingredients:

     (MEATBALLS)

• 1/2 lb ground beef (85-15 or 90-20 works best)
• 2 cloves garlic (minced)
• 1/2 cup bread crumbs
• 1 egg (large)
• 1/2 - 1 tsp. salt
• 1 tsp. black pepper
• 1 tsp. thyme
• 1 tsp. rosemary 
• 1/4 cup cilantro (finely chopped)
• 1/4 cup romano cheese
• 2 tbsp (or thereabouts) oil

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(SAUCE)

• 1 can crushed tomatoes
• 2-3 fresh tomatoes (medium "chop" using blender)
• 1/2 - 1 tsp. salt
• 1/4 fresh basil leaves (or 1 1/2 tsp. dried)
• 1/2 tbsp. thyme
• 1 tbsp. rosemary
• 1 tbsp. red chili flakes
• 2 tbsp. olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic (minced or thinly sliced)

*INSTRUCTIONS*

1. Combine ingredients for meatballs.
2. Form meatballs using 2 tablespoon-sized scoops of meat mixture.  Set aside.
3. Heat 2 tbsp. oil in a large skillet/pan/large pot on medium-high heat.  Place meatballs in skillet (about 6 - 8 at a time) in order to get a golden brown sear on all sides.
4. Set aside seared meatballs.
5. In the same pot used to sear the meatballs, use an additional 2 tbsp. oil (medium - medium/high heat) to sauté garlic until oil achieves a garlicky aroma.
6. Add the tomatoes, followed by the salt, rosemary, thyme, red chili flakes, and basil.
7. Allow sauce to simmer (medium heat) for approximately 15 minutes, then add the meatballs.
8. Let meats and sauce simmer for an additional 15 to 30 minutes.
9. During the last 15 minutes of step 8, add spaghetti noodles to a pot of boiling salted water.
10. Once pasta, sauce, and meatballs are done, generously ladle sauce and meatballs over a plate of pasta.  Garnish with parmesan cheese and cilantro (or parsley) if desired.