From the chapter: COLLEGE – Roots of Forever
The night Lauren and Will had just planted the apple tree and he wanted to impress her with his grandmother’s recipe. More fun when you have your best friend to help you make and eat it.

Will’s Famous Spaghetti & Meatballs

(Perfect for impressing a girl, feeding your friends, or just making your kitchen smell amazing.)
All right, listen up. This isn’t just a spaghetti sauce recipe. This is THE spaghetti sauce—the one that simmers all day, makes your whole place smell like a cozy Italian restaurant, and ensures you’ll never have leftovers because everyone will come back for seconds.

Step 1: Get That Sauce Going

Start with a large pot and heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat.  Finely chop a medium onion—no big onion chunks messing with the sauce’s vibe. Mince a clove of garlic and throw it in with the onion. Cook until everything’s soft and golden, not burned.
Next, it’s decision time: sausage or meatballs—or both?
  • If using sausage: Brown it in the pot for about 30 minutes until golden and aromatic. Then take it out and set it aside.
  • If making meatballs (which, obviously, you are, because you’re smart), you’ll cook those later—stay tuned.
Once your meat is out, add:
  • 2 large cans of tomato purée (Redpack is great)
  • 1 tiny can of tomato paste (for richness)
  • Stir it all together, scraping up any flavor magic from the bottom of the pot. Let it simmer for an hour on low heat, stirring occasionally.

Step 2: Time to Make Meatballs

(Pro tip: This is where you roll up your sleeves, because meatballs require commitment.)
In a bowl, mix:
  • 1 lb. meatloaf mix (ground pork and ground beef)
  • 1 egg (because science)
  • 2 tablespoons chopped parsley (fancy!)
  • 1 teaspoon chopped garlic (more garlic = more love)
  • 3 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese (mandatory!)
  • ½ cup breadcrumbs (for the perfect texture)
  • ¼ teaspoon salt & ⅛ teaspoon pepper (or a pinch of each)
  • ¼ cup water, maybe (depends on the mix—don’t overdo it!)
Mix it all together with your hands. Yes, your hands. No forks. No spoons. Get in there and make it happen. Roll into golf ball-sized meatballs (you’ll get about 12) and let them sit while your sauce keeps doing its thing.

Step 3: Meat Meets Sauce

Heat a pan and brown those meatballs, but don’t cook them all the way through. They’ll finish in the sauce. Toss the meatballs (and sausage, if using) into the sauce.
Add:
  • 1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 tablespoon sugar (Yes. Trust me. It balances the acidity.)
  • ½ teaspoon dried basil (if you’re feeling fancy)
Stir gently—don’t break the meatballs! Let everything simmer for another 2.5 to 3 hours, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.

Step 4: Serve & Impress

Boil up your favorite pasta. (I won’t judge if you just go classic spaghetti.) Plate it up with a ridiculous amount of parmesan on top. Serve with garlic bread and wine (if it’s that kind of night). Bask in the glory of what you’ve created.

Bonus Tips from Will’s Kitchen:

If the sauce gets too thick, add a little water. Leftovers? Good luck having any.

Final Notes from Will:

This isn’t just dinner. It’s an experience. A meal that turns a quiet night into a memory, a kitchen into a gathering place. Trust me, you’re gonna want to make extra.

Background photo by Polina Tankilevitch

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