Favorite Spaghetti and Meatballs
My favorite spaghetti and meatballs recipe is an Italian classic that is a truely comforting, satisfying and delicious meal.
Ingredients
Meatballs
- 1-2 tsp olive oil
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 1 1/2 lbs ground beef (80/20 is best so you have a little fat to make meatballs juicy)
- 3/4 cup bread crumbs (Panko or Italian style)
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 egg, beaten
- 2 tbsp Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 1/2 tsp fine sea salt
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano leaves
- 1/4 tsp pepper
Pasta Sauce
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 28 oz can diced or crushed tomatoes (Italian style with basil are good)
- 1 6 oz can tomato paste
- 1/2 cup water or red wine
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1 tsp fine sea salt
- 1/2 tsp dried basil leaves (or 10 leaves fresh basil, chopped)
- 1/4 tsp pepper
- 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional to add a little heat)
- 1 16 oz package spaghetti noodles
- Grated Parmesan cheese as desired to top spaghetti and meatballs
Instructions
Prepare meatballs:
- Saute the finely chopped onion, stirring frequently, in a small frying pan with about 1-2 tsp olive oil until they are softened. Make sure you don't burn the onions
- Mix all of the meatball ingredients together in a large bowl. You can mix with wooden spoon or your hands.
- Shape the meatballs by hand or use a 1 1/2 inch cookie scoop. You should have about 18 meatballs.
- Place the meatballs in a large 18"x13" ungreased sheet pan with 1" sides. Leave some space in between the meatballs so they cook evenly. Bake uncovered at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes or until the meatballs are lightly browned.
- While meatballs are baking make the pasta sauce.
Prepare pasta sauce:
- Heat the olive oil in a large Dutch oven pan and add the chopped onion. Saute until the onions are tender and then add the minced garlic. Cook for about 1 minute.
- Add the tomatoes with all the liquid, tomato paste, water or red wine, parsley, sugar, salt, basil and pepper and crushed red pepper flakes. Let sauce come to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Cover and simmer, stirring occasionally, for about 30 minutes.
- Add the meatballs to the sauce and cover again. Simmer for another 15 minutes.
- Cook the spaghetti per package directions to al dente. Make sure you salt your pasta water well. When pasta is done drain it well. Do not rinse the pasta.
- Serve the spaghetti and meatballs over the pasta. Top with additional grated parmesan cheese.
Nutrition
Calories: 320kcal
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!