The Best Spaghetti And Meatballs Recipe

I absolutely love this recipe because it combines the comfort of homemade meatballs with the rich flavors of a classic tomato sauce, instantly taking me back to cozy family dinners. Plus, the smell of garlic and herbs simmering makes my whole kitchen feel like an authentic Italian trattoria, and who doesn’t love a meal that brings both nostalgia and a touch of travel adventure?

While I was investigating classic comfort foods, I developed what I consider to be the ultimate Spaghetti and Meatballs. The meatballs, made with ground beef, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, and fresh parsley, are about as far as you can get from the pre-cooked frozen variety.

And simmered in a sauce of crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, and a covert ingredient or two, these meatballs and their sauce have “healthy” and “irresistible” both written all over them.

Ingredients

Ground Beef:
Rich in protein and iron; contributes deep, complex flavor.

Bread Crumbs:
Contributes variety; assists in holding meatballs together.

Parmesan Cheese:
Contributes umami and a deliciously cheesy taste.

Garlic:
Improves flavor with scented and strong ingredients.

Olive Oil:
Fats that are good for your health; supply a smooth mouthfeel.

Crushed Tomatoes:
Delivers powerful tomato taste and texture.

Oregano and Basil:
Crucial Italian herbs that provide depth and aroma.

Spaghetti:
Base rich in carbohydrates; retains sauce well.

Ingredient Quantities

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
• 1 large egg
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes
• 1 can (15 ounces) tomato sauce
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
• 1 pound spaghetti
• Salt for pasta water

Instructions

1. In a big bowl, mix together ground beef, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, parsley, egg, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper. Combine gently until everything is nicely integrated.

2. Form the mixture into about 1 1/2-inch-round meatballs and position them on a plate or baking sheet.

3. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add meatballs in batches and brown them on all sides—about 5 to 7 minutes. Remove from skillet and set aside.

4. In the same frying pan, measure in the diced onion and cook until just translucent, about 5 minutes.

5. Crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, dried oregano, dried basil, and red pepper flakes (if using) are added to the skillet. These ingredients are mixed well and brought to a simmer.

6. Ensure the meatballs are submerged in the sauce when returning to the skillet. Cover and let simmer on low heat for 20-25 minutes until meatballs are cooked through.

7. At the same time, place a big pot of salted water over high heat and bring it to a rolling boil. Add the spaghetti and cook it according to the package directions until it is al dente. Be sure it is not too soft; you don’t want mushy pasta! Drain well.

8. Present the prepared spaghetti in single servings, either in bowls or on plates.

9. Ensure each individual portion gets a very healthy amount of meatballs and sauce on top.

10. Before serving, add some extra grated Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley. Enjoy!

Equipment Needed

1. Large mixing bowl
2. Measuring cups
3. Measuring spoons
4. Cutting board
5. Knife
6. Plate or baking sheet
7. Large skillet
8. Spatula or tongs
9. Wooden spoon
10. Large pot
11. Colander
12. Serving bowls or plates
13. Grater for Parmesan cheese

FAQ

• Q: Can I use ground turkey instead of beef?Q: Can you use ground turkey instead of beef in the recipes?

  You may use ground turkey in the recipes instead of beef.

• Q: How long should I cook the meatballs?A: Prepare the meatballs by cooking them for approximately 15-20 minutes, maintaining a vigilance to see that they are thoroughly browned on the outside and completely cooked through.
• Q: Can I make the meatballs ahead of time?Sure, the meatballs can be made ahead and kept in the fridge for a day before you need to cook and serve them.
• Q: Is fresh basil a suitable substitute for dried basil?A: Instead of dried basil, use fresh basil. You should use about 2-3 times the amount of fresh basil as dried.
• Q: How can I make the sauce thicker?A: To thicken the sauce, you can reduce it further by simmering it longer or adding a tablespoon of tomato paste.
• Q: Should I cover the meatballs while cooking?A: For best results, cook without a cover so that the meatballs can achieve a nice brown surface. If the sauce thickens too much, cover partially.
• Q: Can the crushed tomatoes be substituted with something else?A: Whole tomatoes from a can may be used and crushed by the user, or one may use puree made from tomatoes.

Substitutions and Variations

Lean ground beef: Swap it for ground turkey or ground chicken for a lighter option.
Panko breadcrumbs give a crunchier texture, but you can also use crushed-up crackers if you prefer.
Pecorino Romano cheese: Substitute with Parmesan cheese for a milder flavor.
Parsley that is fresh: Dried parsley may be used, but in half the amount.
Canned whole tomatoes can be blended and used as a substitute for crushed tomatoes.

Pro Tips

1. Meatball Uniformity Use a small ice cream scoop or a tablespoon to portion the meat mixture for even-sized meatballs. This ensures they cook evenly and look professionally prepared.

2. Chill for Firmer Meatballs After forming the meatballs, let them rest in the refrigerator for 15-20 minutes. Chilling them helps maintain their shape when browning and simmering.

3. Enhance Sauce Flavor For deeper flavor, consider deglazing the pan with a splash of red wine after browning the meatballs and before adding the onions. This adds richness to your sauce.

4. Control Pasta Cooking Make sure to salt the pasta water generously—it should taste like the sea. This is your only chance to season the pasta itself, enhancing its flavor as it cooks.

5. Fresh Herb Garnish For a fresh twist, consider adding a sprinkle of fresh basil in addition to parsley when serving. The freshness of the basil will complement the rich tomato sauce wonderfully.