Description
Classic Italian Spaghetti and Meatballs featuring tender homemade meatballs simmered in a rich tomato sauce, served over perfectly cooked al dente spaghetti and topped with freshly grated Parmesan cheese. This comforting dish combines savory ground beef, fragrant herbs, and a flavorful tomato base for a timeless family favorite.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 1 lb. spaghetti
Meatballs
- 1 lb. ground beef
- 1/3 cup bread crumbs
- 1/4 cup finely chopped parsley
- 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
- 1 large egg
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- Kosher salt (1 teaspoon)
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
Sauce
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1/2 cup onion, finely chopped
- 1 (28-oz.) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 bay leaf
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook the Spaghetti: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook until al dente according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- Prepare the Meatball Mixture: In a large bowl, combine ground beef, bread crumbs, chopped parsley, 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, egg, minced garlic, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, and red pepper flakes. Mix gently until just combined to avoid tough meatballs. Shape the mixture into 16 evenly sized meatballs.
- Brown the Meatballs: Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the meatballs and cook, turning occasionally, until browned on all sides, about 10 minutes. Once browned, transfer the meatballs to a plate and set aside.
- Make the Sauce: In the same pot, add the finely chopped onion and cook until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the crushed tomatoes and bay leaf. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Bring the sauce to a simmer.
- Simmer Meatballs in Sauce: Return the browned meatballs to the pot with the sauce. Cover and let simmer gently until the sauce thickens and meatballs are cooked through, about 8 to 10 minutes.
- Serve: Plate the cooked spaghetti and spoon a generous amount of meatballs and sauce on top. Finish by sprinkling additional freshly grated Parmesan cheese over the dish. Serve hot and enjoy!
Notes
- This easy spaghetti and meatballs recipe is our best, featuring classic flavors you know and love.
- Feel free to customize by adding herbs like basil or oregano to the sauce or mixing different types of meat into the meatballs for variety.
- For a spicier kick, increase the red pepper flakes to taste.
- Leftover meatballs and sauce make excellent sandwiches or topping for baked potatoes.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approximately 1/4 of recipe)
- Calories: 938
- Sugar: 13 g
- Sodium: 1139 mg
- Fat: 36 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 23 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 101 g
- Fiber: 9 g
- Protein: 44 g
- Cholesterol: 133 mg
