The Heartwarming Classic Spaghetti and Meatballs Recipe

Crafting a classic spaghetti and meatballs recipe brings pure comfort straight to your dinner table.

Generations of home cooks have perfected this hearty Italian-American staple.

Tender meatballs nestled in rich tomato sauce create a symphony of flavors that dance across your palate.

Fragrant herbs and perfectly seasoned meat promise an unforgettable dining experience.

Each bite tells a story of culinary tradition passed down through careful preparation.

Warm plates await this soul-satisfying meal that connects us to cherished memories.

Savor every moment as you transform simple ingredients into a masterpiece that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Ingredients You’ll Need for Classic Spaghetti and Meatballs

• Ground Beef: The main protein that provides a rich, meaty texture and flavor for the meatballs.
• Egg: Helps bind the meatball ingredients together and adds moisture.
• Parmesan Cheese: Adds a salty, nutty flavor to the meatballs and enhances their overall taste.

• Breadcrumbs, Parsley, Garlic, Salt, Pepper: These ingredients add texture, freshness, depth of flavor, and basic seasoning to the meatballs.

• Crushed Tomatoes: The primary base for the classic tomato sauce with a smooth and rich consistency.
• Onion, Garlic: Provide aromatic depth and foundational flavor to the sauce.
• Oregano, Sugar, Salt, Pepper: Enhance the sauce's flavor profile with herbal notes and balanced seasoning.

• Spaghetti: The traditional pasta that serves as the perfect base for the meatballs and sauce.

• Fresh Parsley, Additional Parmesan Cheese: Optional toppings that add color, freshness, and extra flavor to the dish.

Cooking Guide for Traditional Spaghetti and Meatballs

Step 1: Craft Flavorful Meatball Mixture

In a large mixing bowl, blend together ground beef, breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, beaten egg, minced garlic, chopped parsley, salt, and black pepper.

Gently mix the ingredients until they just come together, avoiding overmixing.

Shape the mixture into 12 evenly sized meatballs, creating compact rounds that will hold their shape during cooking.

Step 2: Sear Meatballs to Golden Perfection

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.

Carefully place the meatballs into the hot pan, allowing them to cook for 5-7 minutes.

Rotate the meatballs occasionally to ensure even browning on all sides.

Once they develop a rich, golden-brown exterior, transfer them to a clean plate and set aside.

Step 3: Build Rich Tomato Sauce

Using the same skillet, sauté finely chopped onions until they become translucent and soft.

Add minced garlic and cook for an additional minute, releasing its aromatic flavors.

Pour in crushed tomatoes, then sprinkle dried oregano, a pinch of sugar, salt, and pepper.

Stir the sauce and bring it to a gentle simmer, allowing the flavors to meld together.

Step 4: Marry Meatballs with Sauce

Carefully return the seared meatballs to the simmering tomato sauce.

Cover the skillet and let the meatballs gently cook in the sauce for approximately 20 minutes.

This slow-cooking process allows the meatballs to become tender and absorb the rich, savory sauce.

Step 5: Prepare Perfect Pasta

While the meatballs simmer, cook spaghetti in a large pot of salted boiling water according to package instructions.

Aim for al dente texture, which means the pasta should be tender but still have a slight firmness when bitten.

Once cooked, drain the spaghetti thoroughly.

Step 6: Plate and Garnish

Arrange the cooked spaghetti on serving plates.

Top the pasta generously with the succulent meatballs and rich tomato sauce.

For an extra touch of flavor, sprinkle additional grated Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh parsley over the dish before serving.

Tips to Make Better Classic Spaghetti and Meatballs

• Gently mix meatball ingredients to avoid dense, tough meatballs – use light hands and mix just until combined for tender results.
• Roll meatballs with slightly wet hands to create smooth surfaces that won't stick to your palms during shaping.
• Add a splash of red wine to the tomato sauce for enhanced complexity and rich, deeper taste profile.
• Swap breadcrumbs with ground almond meal or gluten-free breadcrumbs to make the recipe suitable for gluten-sensitive diners.
• Simmer sauce uncovered if you want thicker texture, or add a little pasta water to thin if sauce becomes too dense during cooking.

How to Store and Reheat Spaghetti and Meatballs

• Store leftover spaghetti and meatballs in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
• Transfer cooled spaghetti and meatballs to freezer-safe containers or zip-lock bags. Freeze for up to 3 months, ensuring minimal air exposure to prevent freezer burn.
• Gently warm the dish in a skillet over medium-low heat. Add a splash of water or extra sauce to prevent drying out. Stir occasionally until heated through.
• Place portions in a microwave-safe dish, cover with a damp paper towel. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each to ensure even warming.

Side Dishes That Complement Classic Spaghetti and Meatballs

• Elevate Spaghetti and Meatballs Pairings
• Savor Full-Bodied Red Wine: Choose a robust Chianti or Sangiovese that complements the rich tomato sauce and meaty flavors, cutting through the dish's richness with its tannic structure.
• Toss Fresh Herbed Salad: Create a crisp arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette to balance the hearty pasta, adding bright, zesty notes that refresh the palate between bites.
• Pair Crusty Garlic Bread: Serve warm, golden-brown garlic bread to soak up extra sauce, providing a crunchy texture contrast and enhancing the meal's overall Italian comfort food experience.
• Select Smooth Italian Amarone: Upgrade your wine choice with a velvety Amarone, featuring deep, complex flavors that perfectly match the depth of the meatball and tomato sauce combination.

Easy Ways to Customize Spaghetti and Meatballs

• Gluten-Free Meatball Pasta: Replace breadcrumbs with gluten-free breadcrumbs or almond meal. Use gluten-free spaghetti to make the entire dish celiac-friendly.
• Vegetarian Protein Swap: Substitute ground beef with plant-based meat alternatives like lentil, mushroom, or impossible meat. Add extra herbs to enhance flavor complexity.
• Low-Carb Zucchini Noodle Version: Replace traditional spaghetti with spiralized zucchini noodles. Keep meatball and sauce recipe identical for a lighter, lower-carbohydrate meal.
• Mediterranean Herbed Meatballs: Incorporate feta cheese into meatball mixture. Add oregano, mint, and dill for a Greek-inspired flavor profile. Serve with kalamata olives as garnish.

FAQs

• Why is mixing the meatball ingredients just until combined important?

Overmixing can make the meatballs tough and dense. Gently mixing keeps them tender and light, ensuring a more delicate texture when cooked.

• Can I use different types of ground meat for the meatballs?

Yes, you can substitute ground beef with a mix of ground pork, veal, or turkey. Each meat brings a unique flavor and texture to the meatballs, allowing for versatile customization.

• How do I know when the meatballs are fully cooked?

Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. Meatballs should reach 160°F (71°C) to ensure they are safely cooked through without becoming dry or overcooked.

• What makes the sauce taste so rich and balanced?

The combination of crushed tomatoes, a touch of sugar, and herbs creates a deep, well-rounded flavor. The sugar helps cut the acidity of the tomatoes, while herbs add complexity to the sauce.

Why Classic Spaghetti and Meatballs Feels Like Home

• Meatball Magic Unlocked
• Spaghetti and meatballs spark joy around the dinner table, bringing everyone together with its hearty, crowd-pleasing flavors that appeal to both kids and adults.
• By using the same skillet for meatballs and sauce, you'll minimize cleanup and maximize flavor, creating a streamlined cooking experience that saves time and reduces dish washing.
• Easily adapt the recipe by switching ground meats, adjusting seasonings, or adding personal touches like extra herbs or cheese to make this classic dish uniquely yours.

Classic Spaghetti and Meatballs Recipe

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4.9 from 18 reviews

• Total Time: 47 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Hearty classic spaghetti and meatballs bring Italian comfort straight to dinner tables across America. Tender meatballs nestled in rich tomato sauce atop perfectly cooked pasta promise a satisfying meal that connects generations through delicious simplicity.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein and Meat:

• 500 g (17.6 ounces) ground beef

Meatball Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 egg
• 2 cloves garlic (minced)
• 1 tablespoon fresh parsley (chopped)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Sauce and Pasta Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 onion (chopped)
• 2 cloves garlic (minced)
• 1 can (400 g/14.1 ounces) crushed tomatoes
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 400 g (14.1 ounces) spaghetti

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Instructions

1. Craft savory meatballs by thoroughly blending ground beef with breadcrumbs, Parmesan, egg, minced garlic, chopped parsley, salt, and pepper. Gently form mixture into uniform spherical portions.
2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium temperature. Carefully sear meatballs for 5-7 minutes, rotating to achieve golden-brown exterior on all surfaces. Transfer cooked meatballs to a separate plate.
3. Utilize the same skillet to sauté diced onions until translucent, approximately 5 minutes. Introduce minced garlic and cook for an additional minute, releasing aromatic flavors.
4. Pour crushed tomatoes into the skillet, incorporating oregano, sugar, salt, and pepper. Allow sauce to reach a gentle simmer, creating a rich, harmonious blend of ingredients.
5. Delicately reintroduce meatballs into the simmering sauce. Cover and let them gently cook for 20 minutes, allowing flavors to meld and meatballs to become thoroughly heated.
6. Simultaneously prepare spaghetti in boiling water according to package guidelines until perfectly al dente. Drain pasta thoroughly.
7. Artfully arrange spaghetti on serving plates, generously top with meatballs and sauce. Optionally enhance with additional grated Parmesan and freshly chopped parsley for a vibrant finish.

Notes

• Avoid overmixing the meatball mixture to prevent tough, dense meatballs that lose their tender texture.
• Use a light touch when forming meatballs, gently rolling them to maintain a soft, delicate consistency.
• Choose high-quality ground beef with a bit of fat content (80/20 blend) to ensure juicy, flavorful meatballs that won’t dry out during cooking.
• Consider adding a splash of milk or water to the meat mixture to keep the meatballs extra moist and tender.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 32 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 600
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 25 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 70 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 100 mg