Vegan Spaghetti and (Beyond) Meatballs

Ingredients and Weight:

• Spaghetti: 500g
• Vegan meatballs: 12 pieces (store-bought or homemade)
• Red onion: 1 large, chopped
• Garlic: 3 cloves, minced
• Crushed tomatoes: 2 cups
• Oregano: 1 tsp dried or 1 tbsp fresh, chopped
• Basil: 1 tbsp fresh, chopped
• Salt and pepper: to taste
• Extra virgin olive oil: 3 tbsp

Preparation Time:

• Preparation: 20 minutes
• Cooking: 30 minutes
• Total: 50 minutes

Difficulty Level:

Level 3 (Moderate difficulty)

Preparation Method Steps:

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (if making homemade meatballs).
2. Bring a large pot of water to a boil for the spaghetti.
3. In a separate pan, heat the olive oil and add the chopped red onion and minced garlic. Sauté until fragrant.
4. Add the crushed tomatoes and let it simmer for 10 minutes.
5. Add the vegan meatballs to the tomato sauce and let them cook for another 10-15 minutes or until heated through.
6. Meanwhile, cook the spaghetti according to package instructions.
7. Season the tomato sauce with oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Adjust seasoning as needed.
8. Drain the spaghetti and transfer to a serving dish. Top with the vegan meatballs and sauce.

Nutritional Information:

(Based on the ingredients provided and without specific nutritional values for the vegan meatballs)

• Calories: Approx. 500-600 calories per serving (assuming meatballs are around 100 calories each)
• Carbohydrates: From spaghetti and tomato sauce
• Fat: From olive oil and meatballs (if not oil-free)
• Protein: From spaghetti and vegan meatballs

Dish Characteristics:

• Vegan-friendly
• American-style comfort food
• Rich in flavor and texture with the combination of spaghetti and meatballs

User Comments:

1. "The vegan meatballs were a great surprise! Couldn't taste the difference."
2. "The sauce was delicious, and the spaghetti cooked to perfection."
3. "A great vegetarian option for a restaurant-style meal at home."

Special Precautions and Tips:

• Make sure to use a good quality vegan meatball that closely mimics the taste and texture of regular meatballs.
• Adjust seasoning according to personal preference.
• If homemade meatballs are made, pre-cook them before adding to the sauce to ensure they are fully cooked through.