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Easy Buffalo (Bison) Meatball Spaghetti And Marinara

White plate of meatballs with red sauce and spaghetti with grated parmesan cheese and a fork.
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EatSimpleFood.com

This easy and delicious ground buffalo meatball and spaghetti recipe is served in an Italian marinara sauce (with a little red wine) and garnished with grated Parmesan cheese.

Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 2lb ground buffalo / bison (or beef, chicken, or turkey)
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 cup bread crumbs
  • 1/2 cup fresh basil, chopped & divided
  • ~1 1/2 Tbsp vegetable oil
  • 3/4 cup onions, diced
  • 1 Tbsp garlic, minced
  • 28 ounces chunky tomato sauce or pasta sauce
  • 2/3 cup red wine
  • 1 lb spaghetti, regular or gluten free or zucchini noodles
  • 1 cup Parmesan cheese - optional as garnish

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 375F.
  • In a large bowl mix: ground beef, salt, pepper, 1/4 cup basil, eggs, and bread crumbs or food processed oats.  Roll meat mixture into 1 1/2" balls and place on a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil (no oil is necessary).  Bake ~ 12 minutes.  The meatballs don't have to be fully cooked as you will be cooking them some more in the sauce.
  • Bring a pot of lightly salted water to a boil and add 1lb pasta.  Break the pasta in half if you're pot is too small.  Boil for ~ 10-12 minutes or until pasta is too desired tenderness.  Strain and set aside.
  • Make the marinara:  Bring a large pan to medium high heat and add enough vegetable oil to lightly coat the bottom of the pan. Add onions and cook ~ 4 minutes or until translucent.  Add garlic and cook until fragrant (~ 1-2 minutes).  Add red wine, bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer, and cook ~ 5 minutes.  Add tomato sauce, bring to a boil, add meatballs, and cook uncovered on low simmer ~ 20 minutes.
  • Serve meatballs and sauce over drained pasta.  Garnish with basil and Parmesan cheese to taste.  Happy eating!  Beckie