- 1/4 cup plain bread crumbs
- 1/2 cup milk or water
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 garlic cloves, smashed
- 2 (28 ounce) cans crushed tomatoes
- Salt
- 1 pound lean ground sirloin
- 1 garlic clove, chopped
- 2 tablespoons chopped flat-leaf parsley
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, plus more for serving
- 1 large egg
- 4 ounces mozzarella cheese, cut into (1/2-inch) cubes
- 1 pound spaghetti
- In a medium bowl, soak the bread crumbs in the milk.
- In a large, wide saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the smashed garlic and cook until golden, about 2 minutes. Add the tomatoes, season to taste with salt and let the sauce simmer over low heat, stirring occasionally.
- Add the beef, chopped garlic, parsley, Parmigiano-Reggiano, egg and 1 teaspoon of salt to the soaked bread crumbs and stir with a fork until combined. Place about 2 tablespoons of the mixture in your hand and press a mozzarella cube into the center. Shape the meat around the cheese, forming a ball. Repeat with the remaining meat and mozzarella.
- Stir the sauce and raise the heat to medium- low. Carefully place the meatballs in the sauce, submerging them completely. Bring the sauce to a simmer and cook without stirring for 20 minutes.
- Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti, cook until al dente, about 8 minutes, and drain. Toss the spaghetti with the tomato sauce and meatballs, sprinkle with Parmigiano-Reggiano and serve.