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.
Ingredients
Scale
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
Instructions
- 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.
- Shape the meat mixture into uniform meatballs, approximately 1.5 inches in diameter, ensuring consistent size for even cooking.
- 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.
- Remove meatballs from skillet and set aside. In the same pan, sauté minced garlic until fragrant, approximately 30 seconds.
- Pour tomato sauce and crushed tomatoes into the skillet. Stir to combine and bring the sauce to a gentle simmer.
- 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.
- 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.
- Drain pasta and transfer to a serving platter. Carefully ladle meatballs and sauce over the spaghetti.
- 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