Description
Spaghetti and Meatballs is a classic Italian-American comfort food made with tender meatballs, rich marinara sauce, and al dente spaghetti. Perfect for family dinners or special occasions, this recipe is flavorful, satisfying, and easy to prepare. Try it today!
Ingredients
Scale
For the Meatballs:
- 1 lb ground beef
- ½ lb ground pork
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 egg
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
For the Marinara Sauce:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 28 oz canned crushed tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
For the Spaghetti:
- 12 oz spaghetti
- Grated Parmesan cheese and fresh basil, for garnish
Instructions
- Make the Meatballs:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, egg, minced garlic, parsley, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Mix until evenly combined.
- Shape the mixture into 1 ½-inch meatballs.
- Sear the Meatballs:
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat with a drizzle of olive oil.
- Sear the meatballs on all sides until browned, about 5–7 minutes. Remove and set aside.
- Prepare the Marinara Sauce:
- In the same skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat.
- Add chopped onion and sauté until softened, about 3–4 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute.
- Add crushed tomatoes, dried basil, oregano, red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and pepper. Stir well.
- Bring the sauce to a simmer and cook for 15 minutes.
- Cook the Meatballs in the Sauce:
- Return the seared meatballs to the sauce. Simmer for an additional 15–20 minutes, until the meatballs are fully cooked and flavorful.
- Cook the Spaghetti:
- While the sauce simmers, cook spaghetti according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- Assemble and Serve:
- Serve the meatballs and marinara sauce over a bed of spaghetti. Garnish with grated Parmesan cheese and fresh basil.
Notes
- Make-Ahead Tip: Prepare the meatballs and marinara sauce up to 2 days in advance. Refrigerate and reheat before serving.
- Freezing: Meatballs and sauce can be frozen for up to 3 months in airtight containers.
- Customize the Flavor: Add a splash of red wine to the marinara sauce for depth or adjust spices to your taste.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate (approx. ¼ of the recipe)
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 870 mg
- Fat: 16 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 48 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg
Keywords: Spaghetti and meatballs, classic meatball recipe, Italian comfort food, easy spaghetti recipe, family dinner ideas