Super Simple Spaghetti and Meatballs with Sautéed Veggies Side Dish

Recipe is for 10 servings

Are you preparing for a Go in Peace Weekend, small retreat or simply looking for a quick and easy Spaghetti and Meatballs recipe? Well this blog is for you. It includes the Super Simple Spaghetti and Meatballs recipe along with instructions for a great Sautéed Veggies side dish, a complete shopping list for a Go in Peace Weekend or small retreat for 10 people, as well as a few pointers to help your weekend event go smoothly. So let’s begin with the Meatballs.

Meatballs

• 2-3 pounds Ground Beef
• 2 cloves Garlic
• 4 Eggs
• 2 teaspoons Salt
• 2 cups Dried Bread Crumbs
• 1/2 teaspoon Oregano
• 1 cup Parmesan Cheese
• 1/2 teaspoon Black Pepper
• 1/2 cup Parsley (Snipped)
• 4 tablespoons Olive Oil

 

 

Mix together all the ingredients except for the olive oil. Roll meat mixture into small balls. Heat olive oil and brown meatballs in the oil. These can be made a head of time. For more help planning your weekend event scroll down to see the instructions titled: For Go in Peace Weekend or Small Retreat.

 

Spaghetti Sauce

• 2 Onions (Chopped)
• 2 (28 oz.) cans Tomatoes-Petite Diced
• 4 teaspoons Salt
• 2 teaspoons Sugar
• 2 (12 oz.) cans Tomato Paste
• 1-2 (15 oz.) cans Tomato Sauce
• 1 teaspoon Basil
• 1/2 teaspoon Oregano
• 1 cup Water
• 1/2 teaspoon Black Pepper
• 2 Bay Leaves 
• 2 (1 pound boxes) Thin Spaghetti

Add everything to a large pot. Cover and simmer gently for 30 minutes. (If you desire you can brown the onion in a little olive oil first. I don’t do this if I am making this in a crockpot for a Go in Peace Weekend. Scroll down to see the instructions titled: For Go in Peace Weekend or Small Retreat.)

 

Side Dish— Sautéed Veggies 

• 3 Crookneck Squash (Medium Sliced)
• 2 Large Onions (Large Sliced and Quartered)
• 1 pound Mushrooms (Medium Sliced)
• 3 tablespoons Olive Oil
• Salt and Pepper

 

Throw the veggies in a saute pan with the olive oil. Sauté over medium heat until the onion is transparent. Salt and pepper to taste.

 

The Spaghetti and Meatballs are great recipes to make ahead and freeze. I freeze the meatballs separately from the sauce.

 

 

For Go in Peace Weekend or Small Retreat:

If I am preparing the meatballs for a Go in Peace Weekend or small retreat I prepare them the day before the weekend and store them in a Ziploc bag. The sauce I simply do in the crockpot the day of the event. As the meatballs are browning I pack up all the ingredients I need for the spaghetti sauce, including measuring and setting aside all the spices and sugar in a Ziploc Bag. Don’t forget the crockpot, large pot to boil the spaghetti in, ladle and an opener for the cans!

 

 

On the day of the event, while the women are spending quite time with the Lord (after session 4) I throw everything for the spaghetti sauce in the crockpot and turn it to low. If there are any vegetarians in the group I keep the meatballs out. Just before dinner I warm the meatballs in a separate saucepan (or in a microwave) with enough sauce to cover them. This way I can serve both Spaghetti and Meatballs or Vegetarian Spaghetti as the main course. (If there are no vegetarians in the group I add the meatballs to the crockpot as well when I first throw it all together.)

 

Side Dish:

As a side dish I simply throw the sliced crookneck squash, largely chopped onions, and sliced mushrooms into some olive oil and sauté until the onion is transparent. This can be done just a few minutes before dinner is to be served. Quick and Easy! (To prepare this for the weekend as well, I slice the squash, chop the onions and slice the mushrooms the day before the event and store them in separate Ziploc baggies as well.

 

When you are packing for the event don’t forget to throw in the bottle of olive oil and a sauté pan.

 

Salad & Bread:

If you would like you can also serve with sliced French bread, butter and a salad. We usually do this because we want the women to feel special. Since we plan on serving dinner around 6 PM we ask 2 ladies who desire to serve the Lord to come around 5 PM to help set up for dinner and to serve the ladies. The salad and bread are included in the Go in Peace Weekend Shopping List. Click on the link below for the Shopping List.

 

Shopping List for Go in Peace Weekend with Spaghetti & Meatballs

 

Have Fun:

If you want the ladies to feel real special you could also have sparkling grape juice at dinner and for dessert have vanilla ice cream with strawberries on top. Just remember to keep it simple so you don’t get overwhelmed with everything. (This is not included in the Shopping List.)

 

Staying the Night:

If the ladies are staying the night (something we haven’t been able to do for awhile but I really love—it’s the best) simply add Costco muffins, yoghurt, fresh fruit and juice to the shopping list. Don’t forget the coffee. Enjoy!