One Pot "Spaghetti" and "Meatballs"

So one of my New Years Resolutions was to make some new foods - and I really wanted to aim to make four new things each month (about one per week).  I cook a lot, but I tend to cook dishes that I could make in my sleep - meaning things that we eat all the time.  I was really looking to make a spaghetti type dish, and so I came up with this great and easy one pot recipe (my favorite kind)!

You might notice that I put the words spaghetti and meatballs in quotations.  First because I didn't really use spaghetti.  I used bucatini which is essentially spaghetti but thicker with a hole in the middle!  I like this better, but you could use spaghetti or linguini.  I also didn't want to take the time to make meatballs.  So I used Italian sausage and crumbled it into about the size of mini meatballs while I browned it in the pan.

Your Shopping List for the One Pot "Spaghetti" and "Meatballs"

• 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1 pound Sweet Italian Sausage (I used chicken sausage)
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can San Marzano Tomatoes
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp pepper
• pinch red pepper flakes
• 4 cups Low Sodium Chicken Broth
• 1 pound uncooked Bucatini Pasta (spaghetti or linguine works too) 
• 1 cup grated parmesan cheese plus more for garnish

Now Let's Make the One Pot "Spaghetti" and "Meatballs"

1. Heat the olive oil in a large, heavy bottom pot - I used my dutch oven
2. Add the sausage, browning and crumbling into small meatball sized pieces - cook through
3. Add the garlic and cook one minute until fragrant and golden
4. Add the can of tomatoes, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes
5. Simmer sauce for 5 - 10 minutes, breaking up the tomatoes as much or as little as you like
   
6. Add the uncooked pasta and the chicken broth
7. Cover with a lid and simmer until pasta is just shy of al dente and most liquid has been absorbed, stirring occasionally 
8. Stir in the grated parmesan cheese
9. Plate and serve, adding extra parmesan cheese for garnish

I cook this meal in a large Dutch Oven Pot: