Spaghetti and Meatballs
Make classic spaghetti and meatballs from scratch with this quick and easy recipe. Perfect for meal prep, weeknight family dinners and kid-friendly!
Meatballs are super versatile and can be served in many tasty ways! Try Turkish meatballs with potatoes for a savory, satisfying dish, or enjoy a comforting Romanian meatball soup, perfect for cosy dinners. For a lighter option, bake turkey meatballs for a healthier take on this classic. Whether as an appetizer, main course, or in a soup, meatballs are always a hit!
For more family-friendly Italian recipes (everybody loves Italian!), try my canned tuna pasta (ready in 15 minutes), my creamy shrimp gnocchi, my homemade pizza recipe or my preferred focaccia bread. For an alternative to beef meatballs, try my favourite turkey meatballs.
Craving something else? Enjoy a classic tiramisu, a comforting potato frittata, creamy risotto, or rich baked gorgonzola pears. These recipes are simple, tasty, and perfect for any occasion!
There’s something magical about a plate of spaghetti and meatballs. It’s comforting, filling, and always a crowd-pleaser. Whether cooking for your family or just craving a hearty meal, this recipe saves the day.
The best part? It’s super easy to make! You don’t need to be a pro in the kitchen to whip up this classic dish. With a few simple ingredients and some love, you’ll have a meal that feels like a warm hug. Let’s get started!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This recipe is a winner for so many reasons. First, it’s made with simple, wholesome ingredients you probably already have in your pantry. Second, it’s customizable—you can tweak it to suit your taste. And finally, it’s a one-pan wonder (well, almost), which means less cleanup for you.
Plus, the meatballs are tender, the sauce is rich, and the spaghetti soaks up all that goodness. It’s a meal that brings everyone to the table with a smile.
Ingredients
For the Meatballs
For the Sauce
Substitutions
- Beef Mince: You can use pork, turkey, or a mix of meats.
- Breadcrumbs: Gluten-free breadcrumbs work just as well.
- Red Wine: If you don’t have wine, skip it or use a splash of balsamic vinegar for depth.
- Passata: Crushed tomatoes or tomato puree are great alternatives.
Step by Step Instructions
Start by prepping all your ingredients. Prepare the ground beef meat, measure the breadcrumbs and seasonings, and prepare the tools like a pan, mixing bowl, and wooden spoon.
Having everything ready before you begin makes cooking smooth and stress-free. A little prep ensures your spaghetti and meatballs come together quickly and easily, with delicious results!
Make the Meatballs:
In a bowl, mix ground beef, diced onion, garlic, eggs, parsley, breadcrumbs, salt, and pepper. Roll into golf ball-sized meatballs.
Cooking:
Bring salted water to a boil. Drop in the meatballs and cook until they float. Remove with a slotted spoon.
Browning:
Heat olive oil and butter in a pan over medium heat. Brown the meatballs on all sides.
Make the Sauce:
Add chopped tomatoes, passata, garlic, oregano, basil, parsley, sugar, and red wine (optional) to the pan. Simmer on low-medium heat for 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally.
A full list of ingredients and instructions can be found in the recipe card below.
Variations
- Spicy Kick: Add a pinch of chilli flakes to the sauce for some heat.
- Cheesy Twist: Stir in some mozzarella or ricotta into the sauce for extra creaminess.
- Veggie Boost: Add diced carrots, zucchini, or bell peppers to the sauce.
Storage Tips
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Freeze the meatballs and sauce separately for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
- Reheating: Warm it up on the stovetop or in the microwave, adding a splash of water if the sauce is too thick.
Serving Suggestions
- Pair with a crisp green salad, garlic bread or artisan bread.
- Add a sprinkle of red pepper flakes for a spicy twist.
- Serve with a glass of red wine or a refreshing lemonade.
Tips and Tricks
- Simmer: Letting the sauce simmer on low heat helps the flavours meld together.
- Fresh Parmesan: Grate your own Parmesan for the best taste and texture.
FAQs
You May Also Like
- Romanian Meatball Soup (Ciorba de perisoare)
- Butternut Squash Lasagne
- Swedish Meatballs
- Few people cook cabbage like this! A cabbage pasta recipe!
- Turkish Meatballs with Hasselback Potatoes
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Spaghetti and Meatballs
Equipment
- Large mixing bowl
- Shallow lidded pan
- Pot for boiling spaghetti
- Wooden spoon or spatula
Ingredients
For the Meatballs:
- 1.1 lbs beef mince organic
- 1 white onion finely diced
- 5 garlic cloves grated or crushed
- 2 eggs
- 4 tbsp fresh parsley chopped
- 2 cups breadcrumbs
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp pepper
- 4 tbsp olive oil extra virgin, for sautéing
- 3.5 tbsp butter salted or unsalted, for sautéing
For the Sauce:
- 1 can chopped tomatoes 14 oz
- 2 cups passata
- 3 garlic cloves crushed or grated
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried basil or a few fresh basil leaves
- ¼ small bunch of parsley finely chopped
- 1 tsp sugar
- ½ cup red wine (optional)
To Serve:
- Spaghetti about 3.5 oz or 100 g per portion
- Parmesan to garnish
Instructions
Make the Meatballs:
- In a large bowl, combine the beef mince, diced onion, grated garlic, eggs, chopped parsley, breadcrumbs, salt, and pepper. Mix everything together until well combined. Roll the mixture into balls about the size of a golf ball.1.1 lbs beef mince, 1 white onion, 5 garlic cloves, 2 eggs, 4 tbsp fresh parsley, 2 cups breadcrumbs, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp pepper
Cook the Meatballs:
- Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Gently drop the meatballs into the water and let them cook until they float to the surface. This means they’re done! Remove them with a slotted spoon and set aside.
Brown the Meatballs:
- Heat olive oil and butter in a large, shallow pan over medium heat. Add the meatballs and sauté until they’re golden brown on all sides.4 tbsp olive oil, 3.5 tbsp butter
Make the Sauce:
- Add the chopped tomatoes, passata, grated garlic, oregano, basil, parsley, sugar, and red wine (if using) to the pan with the meatballs. Stir everything together, then let it simmer on low-medium heat for 20-25 minutes with the lid on. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.1 can chopped tomatoes, 2 cups passata, 3 garlic cloves, 1 tsp dried oregano, 1 tsp dried basil, 1/4 small bunch of parsley, 1 tsp sugar, 1/2 cup red wine
Cook the Spaghetti:
- While the sauce is simmering, cook the spaghetti in a pot of boiling, salted water according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.Spaghetti
Serve:
- Spoon the sauce and meatballs over the spaghetti. Garnish with grated Parmesan and a few fresh basil leaves if you like.Parmesan
Notes
- If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of water or broth to thin it out.
- If the meatball mixture feels too firm, add a splash of water to soften it.
I love a good, comforting dish like this—especially in this cold Wisconsin weather of ours! Spaghetti and meatballs is exactly the kind of cozy meal I need right now. 🙂
Enjoyed these meatballs last night for dinner – super easy to make and we also took your suggestion to add veggies to the sauce. We simply grated some courgette and carrots in for extra nutrition. Will definitely make these again!
Enjoyed these meatballs for dinner last night – super simple to make, and we took your suggeston to add some carrots and courgette to the sauce for extra nutrition. Will definitely make them again!
This recipe made the perfect “Lady and the Tramp” version of this dish. So easy and yummy!
My family loved this!