Spaghetti with Meatballs and Tomato Sauce:

 

Certainly! A good option for a date night dish that's relatively easy to cook and generally well-received is a simple pasta dish. One classic and versatile choice is spaghetti with homemade tomato sauce and meatballs. Here's a basic recipe:

Ingredients:

1. Spaghetti noodles
2. Ground beef (or a mix of beef and pork)
3. Bread crumbs
4. Grated Parmesan cheese
5. Egg
6. Garlic (minced)
7. Onion (finely chopped)
8. Canned crushed tomatoes
9. Tomato paste
10. Olive oil
11. Salt and pepper
12. Italian seasoning (optional)

Instructions:

1. Make the Meatballs:

   • In a bowl, combine the ground beef, bread crumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, minced garlic, chopped onion, egg, salt, and pepper.
   • Mix until well combined, and then shape the mixture into meatballs.

2. Cook the Meatballs:

   • Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
   • Brown the meatballs on all sides until cooked through. Remove them from the skillet and set aside.

3. Make the Tomato Sauce:

   • In the same skillet, add a bit more olive oil if needed.
   • Sauté chopped onions until they are translucent.
   • Add crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, minced garlic, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning (if using).
   • Simmer the sauce for about 15-20 minutes until it thickens.

4. Cook the Spaghetti:

   • Meanwhile, cook the spaghetti noodles according to the package instructions. Drain.

5. Combine and Serve:

   • Add the cooked meatballs to the tomato sauce and let them simmer together for a few minutes.
   • Serve the meatballs and sauce over the cooked spaghetti.

Feel free to customize the recipe based on your date's preferences. You can add vegetables to the sauce, use a different type of pasta, or adjust the seasonings to suit their taste. This dish is not only delicious but also allows for a cozy and casual dining experience.