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1
Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
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2
Combine the carrot, celery, and onion in a food processor, pulsing to make a fine-textured paste or pestata.
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3
Scrape the pestata into a large bowl, and add the three meats, eggs, oregano, parsley, bread crumbs, and salt, mixing with your hands to combine well.
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4
Roll the meat into golf-ball-sized balls, and place on baking sheets lined with parchment paper.
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5
(You should get about forty-eight meatballs.)
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6
Bake the meatballs until browned all over, about 18 to 20 minutes.
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7
(They do not need to be entirely cooked through, because they will cook more in the sauce.)
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8
While the meatballs are baking, bring a large pot of salted water to boil for pasta.
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9
Slip the spaghetti into the boiling water and cook until al dente.
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10
Drain the pasta, reserving 1/2 cup of pasta water.
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11
Begin the sauce: heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
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12
Toss in the onion, and saute until it turns transparent, about 2 to 3 minutes.
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13
Ladle in the reserved pasta water, and simmer the onion to break it down, about 2 to 3 minutes.
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14
Once the water has cooked away, sprinkle in 1 teaspoon of the salt, the bay leaves, and peperoncino.
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15
Let the peperoncino toast for a minute, then pour in the tomatoes.
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16
Slosh out the tomato cans and bowl with 4 cups hot water, add to the pot, and stir.
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17
Stir in the remaining teaspoon of salt, and bring the sauce to a simmer while the meatballs finish baking; simmer sauce about 10 minutes more.
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18
When the meatballs have finished baking, gently add them to the sauce and return to a simmer.
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19
Simmer, shaking the pan periodically to move (but not break) the meatballs, until the sauce is thick and flavorful, about 1/2 hour.
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20
Plop the spaghetti back into the empty pasta cooking pot.
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21
Add half of the sauce (with no meatballs) and toss.
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22
Set in a hot bowl, and top with meatballs and additional sauce if necessary.
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23
Serve immediately, offering the remaining sauce and meatballs at the table with the grated cheese.