The Classic Comfort: Spaghetti and Meatballs Recipe Everyone Loves

Mouthwatering spaghetti and meatballs dance with rich, hearty flavors that instantly transport you to an authentic italian kitchen.

Memories of sunday dinners flood back with each carefully crafted bite.

Classic comfort wraps around tender pasta and perfectly seasoned meat spheres.

Generations have cherished this timeless dish, passing down secret techniques from grandmother to grandchild.

Fragrant herbs and slow-simmered sauce create a symphony of taste that feels like a warm embrace.

Simple ingredients combine in magical ways to craft a meal that speaks directly to your soul.

Come explore this classic recipe that promises to become your new favorite comfort food.

Spaghetti And Meatballs That Make You Smile

• Craft Hearty Comfort Food: Dive into a classic dish that wraps you in warmth with its rich, meaty meatballs and tangy tomato sauce, perfect for satisfying deep hunger.
• Master Simple Cooking Techniques: Learn fundamental skills like shaping uniform meatballs, browning meat, and creating a robust sauce that will boost your culinary confidence.
• Enjoy Versatile Meal Potential: Serve this crowd-pleaser for family dinners, potlucks, or casual gatherings, knowing it appeals to both kids and adults with its familiar, delicious flavors.
• Create Restaurant-Quality Dish at Home: Recreate a beloved Italian-American staple without complicated ingredients, proving gourmet meals can be achievable in your own kitchen.

What Goes Into Spaghetti And Meatballs

• Ground Beef: A classic protein base that provides rich flavor and tender texture for the meatballs.
• Ground Pork: Adds extra moisture and depth to the meatball blend.
• Eggs: Helps bind the meat mixture together and provides structure.
• Parmesan Cheese: Contributes a savory, salty flavor to the meatball mixture.
• Breadcrumbs: Provides texture and helps absorb moisture in the meatballs.
• Milk: Keeps the meatballs moist and tender during cooking.

• Parsley, Salt, Pepper: Enhances the overall flavor profile of the meatballs with fresh and seasoned notes.

• Olive Oil: Creates a perfect base for browning meatballs and sautéing garlic.
• Garlic: Adds aromatic and pungent flavor to the sauce.
• Tomato Sauce, Crushed Tomatoes: Forms the rich, classic base for the traditional Italian-style sauce.

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

• Parmesan Cheese, Fresh Parsley: Optional toppings that add extra flavor and visual appeal to the final dish.

How To Pull Off Spaghetti And Meatballs

Step 1: Blend Meaty Mixture

Create a flavor-packed base by combining ground beef, ground pork, eggs, parmesan cheese, breadcrumbs, milk, parsley, salt, and pepper in a large mixing bowl. Gently fold ingredients together until they form a harmonious blend.

Step 2: Shape Perfect Spheres

Roll the meat mixture into uniform meatballs, aiming for a consistent size around 1.5 inches in diameter. This ensures each meatball cooks evenly and looks appetizing.

Step 3: Brown Meatballs

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Carefully place meatballs into the hot pan, sizzling each side for 3-4 minutes until they develop a gorgeous golden-brown crust.

Step 4: Create Aromatic Sauce Base

Remove meatballs and set aside. In the same pan, sauté minced garlic until it releases its fragrant aroma, which takes about 30 seconds.

Step 5: Simmer Savory Sauce

Pour tomato sauce and crushed tomatoes into the skillet. Stir to combine and bring the sauce to a gentle simmer, allowing flavors to develop.

Step 6: Merge Meatballs With Sauce

Return meatballs to the sauce, reducing heat to low. Cover and let simmer for 15-20 minutes, allowing the meatballs to absorb the rich tomato flavors and cook completely.

Step 7: Cook Pasta Perfectly

Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add spaghetti and cook according to package instructions until it reaches that perfect al dente texture, typically 8-10 minutes.

Step 8: Plate With Flair

Drain pasta and transfer to a serving platter. Carefully ladle meatballs and sauce over the spaghetti, creating an enticing presentation.

Step 9: Final Flourish

Sprinkle additional parmesan cheese and fresh parsley on top. Serve immediately while the dish is piping hot and bursting with flavor.

Tips For Great Spaghetti And Meatballs Every Time

• Perfect Meat Mixing: Gently fold ingredients with your hands to prevent overworking the meat, which can make meatballs tough and dense.
• Uniform Meatball Size: Use a small ice cream scoop or tablespoon to create consistently sized meatballs for even cooking and professional presentation.
• Sauce Simmering Secret: Allow sauce to develop rich flavors by letting meatballs simmer slowly, which helps tenderize the meat and infuse deep taste.
• Pasta Perfection Tip: Cook spaghetti just until al dente to maintain a slight firmness, preventing mushy noodles that can ruin the dish's texture.
• Flavor Boost Option: Add a splash of red wine to the tomato sauce while simmering for an extra layer of depth and complexity in the final dish.

Try New Takes On Spaghetti And Meatballs

• Mediterranean Meatballs: Replace ground pork with lamb, add crumbled feta cheese, and mix in dried oregano for a Greek-inspired flavor profile.
• Spicy Arrabiata Meatballs: Incorporate red pepper flakes into the meat mixture, use a spicy marinara sauce, and top with fresh basil for extra heat.
• Herb-Infused Meatballs: Mix in fresh chopped rosemary, thyme, and sage instead of parsley, creating a more aromatic and earthy version of the classic recipe.
• Lean Turkey Alternative: Substitute ground beef and pork with ground turkey, adding grated zucchini to keep the meatballs moist and nutritious.

Side Dishes That Shine With Spaghetti And Meatballs

• Elevate Flavor Pairing: Choose a robust Chianti or Sangiovese red wine to complement the rich, meaty tomato sauce and enhance the dish's hearty profile.
• Texture Contrast Partner: Serve a crisp arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette to cut through the heaviness of the meatballs and provide a refreshing counterpoint.
• Bread Companion: Add garlic bread or crusty Italian ciabatta to soak up the delicious sauce and provide a crunchy texture alongside the soft spaghetti and tender meatballs.
• Palate-Cleansing Side: Prepare a light cucumber and mint salad to refresh the taste buds between bites of the rich, savory spaghetti and meatballs.

How To Store Spaghetti And Meatballs Just Right

• Place leftover spaghetti and meatballs in an airtight container, keeping them fresh for 3-4 days. Seal tightly to prevent moisture and odors from affecting the dish.
• Transfer cooled meatballs and sauce to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Label with the date and store for up to 3 months. Separate pasta from sauce to maintain optimal texture.
• Thaw frozen meatballs in the refrigerator overnight. Warm gently in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of water or extra sauce to prevent drying. Alternatively, microwave in short intervals, stirring between each to ensure even heating.
• Prepare meatballs and sauce in advance, storing separately from pasta.

All You Need To Know About Spaghetti And Meatballs

• Why use both ground beef and ground pork?

The combination creates a more complex flavor and juicier texture compared to using just one type of meat.

• Can I prepare meatballs in advance?

Yes, you can mix and shape meatballs up to 24 hours before cooking, storing them covered in the refrigerator to maintain freshness.

• How do I know when meatballs are fully cooked?

Use a meat thermometer to check that internal temperature reaches 160°F, ensuring they are safely cooked through without becoming dry.

• Is it necessary to brown meatballs before simmering?

Browning helps develop a rich, caramelized exterior and adds deeper flavor to the meat before finishing in the sauce.

Spaghetti And Meatballs Recipe

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4.8 from 21 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Hearty Italian-American classic spaghetti and meatballs brings comfort and rich flavors to dinner tables across the United States. Savory beef meatballs nestled in zesty tomato sauce over perfectly cooked pasta promise a satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 1 lb ground beef
• 0.5 lb ground pork
• 2 eggs
• 0.25 cup parmesan cheese

Pasta and Sauce:

• 1 lb spaghetti
• 2 cups tomato sauce
• 1 can (14.5 oz) crushed tomatoes
• 2 cloves garlic

Seasonings and Extras:

• 0.5 cup breadcrumbs
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley
• 1 tsp salt
• 0.5 tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 0.25 cup milk

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Instructions

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine ground beef, ground pork, eggs, parmesan cheese, breadcrumbs, milk, parsley, salt, and pepper. Gently mix until ingredients are evenly incorporated.
2. Shape the meat mixture into uniform meatballs, approximately 1.5 inches in diameter, ensuring consistent size for even cooking.
3. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Carefully place meatballs into the hot pan, browning each side for about 3-4 minutes until golden and crisp.
4. Remove meatballs from skillet and set aside. In the same pan, sauté minced garlic until fragrant, approximately 30 seconds.
5. Pour tomato sauce and crushed tomatoes into the skillet. Stir to combine and bring the sauce to a gentle simmer.
6. Return meatballs to the sauce, reducing heat to low. Cover and let simmer for 15-20 minutes, allowing flavors to meld and meatballs to cook thoroughly.
7. Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add spaghetti and cook according to package instructions until al dente, typically 8-10 minutes.
8. Drain pasta and transfer to a serving platter. Carefully ladle meatballs and sauce over the spaghetti.
9. Garnish with additional parmesan cheese and fresh parsley if desired. Serve immediately while hot.

Notes

• Meat Mixture Matters: Use a light touch when mixing ingredients to prevent dense, tough meatballs that can ruin the dish’s texture.
• Temperature Control: Ensure medium-high heat when browning meatballs to develop a golden crust without burning, which locks in juicy flavors.
• Protein Flexibility: Swap ground beef and pork with ground turkey or chicken for a leaner version that’s equally delicious and diet-friendly.
• Gluten-Free Adaptation: Replace traditional breadcrumbs with gluten-free alternatives like almond meal or crushed gluten-free crackers to accommodate dietary restrictions.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 680
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 720 mg
• Fat: 30 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 70 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 36 g
• Cholesterol: 130 mg