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.
Ingredients
Scale
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
Instructions
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Simultaneously prepare spaghetti in boiling water according to package guidelines until perfectly al dente. Drain pasta thoroughly.
- 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