Spaghetti with a Giant Meatball

Ingredients

• Meatballs

  • 1/2 cup (125 ml) Japanese panko breadcrumbs (or regular breadcrumbs)
  • 1/4 cup (60 ml) milk
  • 1 cup (250 ml) finely chopped leek
  • 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
  • 1/4 teaspoon (1 ml) crushed red pepper flakes, or to taste
  • 1/4 teaspoon (1 ml) fennel seeds, ground
  • 3 tablespoons (45 ml) olive oil
  • 1 lb (454 g) ground meat mixture (veal, beef, and pork)
  • 1 egg, lightly beaten
  • Salt and pepper

• Tomato sauce

  • 1 clove garlic, lightly crushed
  • 2 tablespoons (30 ml) olive oil
  • 2 1/2 cups (625 ml) tomato sauce (or canned crushed tomatoes)
  • 1/4 cup (60 ml) chopped fresh basil

• Spaghetti

  • 3/4 lb (375 g) spaghetti
  • 1/4 cup (60 ml) grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese