Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C). Set a wire rack over a baking sheet and grease with nonstick spray.
2. Step
Make the marinara sauce: Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the onions and garlic and season with salt, pepper, and the red pepper flakes. Cook until soft and caramelized, about 15 minutes.
3. Step
Set aside ⅓ cup (50 G) of the cooked onions and garlic for the meatballs and let cool.
4. Step
Stir the tomato paste into the onions and cook until browned and aromatic, 3-5 minutes.
5. Step
Add the crushed tomatoes, dried basil, dried oregano, and dried parsley. Stir together and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for at least 30 minutes.
6. Step
Make the meatballs: In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, ground pork, reserved onion and garlic mixture, bread crumbs, ricotta, parsley, eggs, Parmesan, milk, salt, and pepper. Mix with your hands until well combined.
7. Step
Shape about 2 ounces (55 G) of meat at a time into balls and set on the prepared wire rack.
8. Step
Bake the meatballs for 20 minutes, until the outsides are browned and the centers are tender and juicy and reach about 155˚F (68˚C).
9. Step
Bring a large pot of water to boil and add a generous pinch of salt. Cook the pasta according to the package instructions, 7-10 minutes, until al dente. Stir occasionally to keep the noodles from sticking together.
10. Step
Drain the pasta and add it directly to the simmering marinara sauce. Reserve some pasta water, in case you need it to loosen the sauce. Stir the pasta into the sauce until fully coated.
11. Step
Add the pasta to serving bowls, top with the meatballs, and garnish with Parmesan, fresh basil, and cracked pepper.
