Step 1

Place the tomatoes in a blender and pulse for a few seconds.

Step 2

Heat olive oil in saucepan over medium heat. Stir in onion and cook for about 4-5 minutes.

Step 3

Pour in tomatoes, garlic salt, pepper, crushed red pepper, sugar and basil leaves.

Step 4

Bring to a boil, then lower the heat, stirring occasionally for 30 minutes.

Step 5

Place ground beef in large mixing bowl. Sprinkle with bread crumbs, parmesan cheese, garlic, parsley, egg, salt, and pepper.

Step 6

Mix the ingredients with clean hands (dig in there!) just until blended together. Shape the meat mixture into 1 1/2 inch balls.

Step 7

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Place as many meatballs that you can fit into the pan without overcrowding. Cook until golden brown on all sides, turning as necessary, about 5-6 minutes. Remove the meatballs and repeat with others.

Step 8

Add the browned meatballs to tomato sauce and cook gently over low heat until fully cooked through -- about 30 minutes.

Step 9

Bring water to boil. Generously salt water. Once boiling, add spaghetti and cook according to package instructions. Drain the pasta and return to pot.

Step 10

Top with sauce and meatballs and sprinkle with cheese.

Step 11

Right before serving, spoon more sauce over pasta and meatballs.