Mozzarella Meatballs with Spaghetti Sauce

 I'm not sure this is worth the effort. Just regular meatballs would have been fine. Printable Version

Ingredients for Sauce:
2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
6 oz. pancetta, diced
1 small yellow onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
Pinch red pepper flakes
1 can crushed tomatoes
3/4 teaspoon salt and pepper
1/2 cup Romono cheese
Meatballs:
1 small onion, grated
2/3 teaspoon + 1/4 cup grated Parmesan
1 large egg
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
2 oz. mozzarella, cubed
3/4 cup parsley
1/3 cup bread crumbs
2 tablespoons ketchup
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
16 oz. ground beef
1 lb. long pasta
Method for sauce:
Heat oil and add pancetta. Cook 5-7 minutes. Remove pancetta and set aside. Add onion and cook 5 minutes. Stir in garlic and red pepper flakes for 30 seconds. Add tomatoes, salt, pepper, and pancetta. Simmer 15 minutes. Stir in cheese and season with salt and pepper.Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line baking sheet with foil and place in lower 1/3 of the oven. Combine onion, 1/2 cup parsley, 2/3 cup Parmesan, bread crumbs, egg, Ketchup, garlic, red pepper flakes, salt and pepper. Add meat. Combine and make into meatballs. Make a depression in center of meatball and place a cube of mozzarella in the center. Bake 15 minutes. Cook pasta. Drain, and add sauce and 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese. Serve meatballs separately.