Spaghetti with Meatballs

From Everyday Food. This is good for those times you want to make spaghetti and meatballs a little more special than opening a jar of sauce and heating it while you cook the pasta (which I've done quite a bit myself!).

Ingredients

Serves 4.

* 1 medium onion, grated (1 cup)
* 4 teaspoons Italian seasoning
* 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving (optional)
* 1/4 cup plain dried breadcrumbs
* 1 large egg
* Coarse salt and ground pepper
* 1 pound ground beef sirloin
* 1 tablespoon olive oil
* 1 medium carrot, grated
* 1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes
* 1 can (15 ounces) tomato sauce
* 12 ounces spaghetti


Directions

1. Heat broiler with rack 4 inches from heat source. In a medium bowl, mix 1/4 cup onion, 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning, Parmesan, breadcrumbs, egg, 1 teaspoon coarse salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper until combined. Add beef; mix gently until combined. With moistened hands, form beef mixture into 16 balls (each equal to 2 level tablespoons). Place on a rimmed baking sheet, and broil until lightly browned, 10 to 12 minutes.
2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium. Add carrot, remaining 3/4 cup onion, and remaining 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning; season with salt and pepper. Cook until vegetables are tender, 3 to 4 minutes. Add crushed tomatoes and tomato sauce; bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer, and add meatballs. Cook, stirring occasionally, until sauce has thickened, 20 to 25 minutes.
3. Ten minutes before meatballs are cooked, add pasta to boiling water; cook until al dente, according to package instructions. Drain and return to pot. Add meatballs and tomato sauce to pasta; toss to combine. Serve, with additional Parmesan if desired.