Spaghetti with Green Chili-Pine Nut Meatballs

Spaghetti with Green Chili-Pine Nut Meatballs
Spaghetti with Green Chili-Pine Nut Meatballs
Located in a century-old coal warehouse that stoked the train coming from Albuquerque, the Zia Diner is in the National Register of Historic Places—and on many lists of favorite neighborhood restaurants. Regulars fuel up with such popular dishes as chicken-fried steak and meat loaf with green chilies and pine nuts. The latter provided the inspiration for another Zia Diner classic: spaghetti with chili and pine nut meatballs.
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Southwestern Beef Dairy Nut Pasta Pepper Tomato Dinner Parmesan Meat Ground Beef Pine Nut Fall Winter Party Noodle Bon Appétit
  • 1 pound lean ground beef
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon pepper
  • 1/4 cup chopped onion
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 1/4 cup chopped green bell pepper
  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1/3 cup red wine
  • pinch of sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon fennel seeds
  • freshly grated parmesan cheese
  • 1 large egg, beaten to blend
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 3 garlic cloves, chopped
  • Carbohydrate 35 g(12%)
  • Cholesterol 34 mg(11%)
  • Fat 11 g(17%)
  • Fiber 3 g(14%)
  • Protein 12 g(24%)
  • Saturated Fat 3 g(16%)
  • Sodium 308 mg(13%)
  • Calories 289

PreparationFor tomato sauce: Heat oil in heavy large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add garlic and sauté 1 minute. Add crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes with juices and sugar. Simmer over medium heat for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add stock and wine. Simmer uncovered until reduced to 5 cups, about 20 minutes. Remove from heat. Whisk in butter. Season with salt and pepper. (Can be made 2 days ahead. Cool. Cover and chill.) For meatballs: Preheat oven to 375°F. Combine beef, breadcrumbs, chilies, 1/4 cup tomato sauce, pine nuts, onion, bell pepper, egg, tomato paste, garlic, salt, pepper, fennel and thyme in large bowl; mix well. Using 1 heaping tablespoon for each, form mixture into balls; transfer to 2 baking sheets. Bake until cooked through, about 15 minutes. Bring tomato sauce to simmer. Add meatballs and simmer 1 minute. Meanwhile, cook spaghetti in large pot of boiling salted water until tender but still firm to bite. Drain well, reserving 1 cup cooking liquid. Transfer cooked spaghetti to large serving bowl. Add tomato sauce and meatballs and toss to coat. Add reserved cooking liquid to spaghetti by tablespoonfuls to moisten if necessary. Serve, passing Parmesan separately.

PreparationFor tomato sauce: Heat oil in heavy large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add garlic and sauté 1 minute. Add crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes with juices and sugar. Simmer over medium heat for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add stock and wine. Simmer uncovered until reduced to 5 cups, about 20 minutes. Remove from heat. Whisk in butter. Season with salt and pepper. (Can be made 2 days ahead. Cool. Cover and chill.) For meatballs: Preheat oven to 375°F. Combine beef, breadcrumbs, chilies, 1/4 cup tomato sauce, pine nuts, onion, bell pepper, egg, tomato paste, garlic, salt, pepper, fennel and thyme in large bowl; mix well. Using 1 heaping tablespoon for each, form mixture into balls; transfer to 2 baking sheets. Bake until cooked through, about 15 minutes. Bring tomato sauce to simmer. Add meatballs and simmer 1 minute. Meanwhile, cook spaghetti in large pot of boiling salted water until tender but still firm to bite. Drain well, reserving 1 cup cooking liquid. Transfer cooked spaghetti to large serving bowl. Add tomato sauce and meatballs and toss to coat. Add reserved cooking liquid to spaghetti by tablespoonfuls to moisten if necessary. Serve, passing Parmesan separately.