Fake-Out Recipe: Spicy Sausage and Cheese Meatball Spaghetti

I’ve always really enjoyed cooking; I find that it helps me unwind at the end of the day. But now, I also enjoy spending time with JD when I get home from work, so I’ve come up with a couple of ways to do both. On days where a meal will take longer to make, I place JD in his highchair in the kitchen (away from the stove, I can already see my dad panicking at the thought of JD in the kitchen) and I include him in everything I do, I give him things to hold and taste and I explain everything I’m doing as I cook. On other days like last night, I’m a bit sneakier, I make meals that may taste like they took a long time to make but they don’t like this fake-out recipe.

Shopping List:

• 2 pounds hot Italian sausage, casings removed
  
• 1/2 pound fresh mozzarella cheese, cut into small cubes
• 1 jar marinara sauce (I recommend TJ’s Giotto's Rustico Sauce)
• 1 package spaghetti
• 1 French or sourdough baguette
• Olive oil
• Grated or shredded Parmesan cheese

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 400°. Remove casing from sausage; divide each sausage into 4 equal portions. Form each portion into a ball then put 1 piece of the fresh mozzarella cubes into the center of each meatball and seal the meat around it. Place the meatballs in a large bowl and gentle toss with olive oil. Place meatballs on a greased baking sheet and roast until firm, about 20-30 minutes. Cook spaghetti according to the directions on the package. Pour ready made marinara sauce into a large sauce pan, add cooked meatballs and bring sauce to a simmer. Plate spaghetti, add sauced meatballs, Parmesan cheese and serve with warm French bread.

Spicy Sausage and Cheese Meatball Spaghetti

Wine Pairing: BV Coastal Cabernet Sauvignon ($6.99 Trader Joe's)