• The process of creating this delicious dish is simple and straightforward. Get ready to tantalize those taste buds with a few easy steps. Let’s get cooking!

Step 1: Soak the Bread

• Start by combining the torn pieces of bread and cold water in a bowl. Set this aside for about 5 minutes. The goal is to let the bread soak up the water. Once it's nice and soggy, use a fork to mash it to a pulp. This is your base for the meatballs, adding moisture and texture.

Step 2: Prepare the Meatball Mixture

• In a large mixing bowl, or if you're feeling fancy, use a stand mixer with a paddle attachment. Add the soaked bread (after mashing), the ground beef, sweet Italian sausage, grated Parmesan cheese, minced garlic, sea salt, black pepper, and egg. Mix everything together until it's well combined, but try not to overwork it. The more you mix, the denser the meatballs can become, and that's not what we want.

Step 3: Shape and Brown the Meatballs

• Using your hands, scoop out the mixture to form meatballs about 1.5 inches in diameter—the size of a generous flat ice cream scoop works great. Once shaped, roll them in flour, giving them a light coat. Next, heat the oil in a deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. When the oil shimmers, add the meatballs in batches. Make sure not to overcrowd the pan! Brown them for about 6 minutes, turning occasionally—it's okay if they aren't fully cooked through yet. Remove them from the pan and set them aside.

Step 4: Sauté the Onion and Garlic

• Using the same skillet, add a bit more oil if needed. Toss in your chopped onion, stirring often until it becomes soft and golden, about 5 minutes. Then, mix in the minced garlic and stir for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant.

Step 5: Create the Marinara Sauce

• Now it’s time to introduce the crushed tomatoes and bay leaves to the pan. Bring this to a light boil—just making sure it’s bubbling nicely.
• Step 6: Combine the Meatballs and Sauce
• Gently add the browned meatballs back into the pan and partially cover it with a lid. Let everything simmer for about 30 minutes. Occasionally give those meatballs a turn so they soak up all the goodness. As the sauce thickens, it’ll hug those meatballs perfectly. Just before finishing, stir in the fresh basil and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to taste.

Step 7: Cook the Spaghetti

• While the meatballs are doing their thing in the sauce, fill a large pot with water, sprinkle in a generous amount of salt, and bring it to a boil. Toss in the spaghetti and cook according to package instructions until it’s al dente. Drain the pasta but keep a small amount of pasta water handy—this can help adjust the sauce if you need it. Return the pasta to the pot.

Step 8: Toss and Serve

• Pour the meatballs and sauce over the spaghetti, tossing gently to combine. For a family-style presentation, transfer everything to a larger serving platter. Garnish with grated Parmesan cheese and fresh basil for that visual appeal. Serve hot and watch it disappear!