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Spaghetti and Meatballs Recipe

Classic spaghetti and meatballs, made with tender, juicy meatballs and a rich marinara sauce, is the ultimate comfort food. Perfect for a family dinner!
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Ingredients Equipment Method

Ingredients
  

  • For the Meatballs:
  • 1 pound ground beef or a mix of beef and pork
  • ½ cup breadcrumbs plain or Italian seasoned
  • ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley chopped (or 1 teaspoon dried)
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • For the Sauce:
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 small onion finely diced
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 can 28 ounces crushed tomatoes
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • ½ teaspoon sugar optional, to balance acidity
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • For the Pasta:
  • 12 ounces spaghetti
  • Salt for boiling water

Equipment

  • Large mixing bowl
  • Baking sheet
  • Large skillet or Dutch oven
  • Medium pot (for boiling spaghetti)
  • Slotted spoon
  • Measuring cups and spoons

Method
 

  1. Instructions:
  2. Prepare the Meatballs:
  3. In a large mixing bowl, combine ground meat, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, egg, garlic, parsley, salt, and pepper. Mix gently until just combined.
  4. Roll the mixture into 1½-inch meatballs and place them on a baking sheet.
  5. Cook the Meatballs:
  6. Heat olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the meatballs in batches and cook until browned on all sides, about 6–8 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside.
  7. Make the Sauce:
  8. In the same skillet, sauté onions in the remaining oil until softened, about 3 minutes. Add garlic and cook for another minute.
  9. Stir in crushed tomatoes, basil, oregano, and sugar. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Simmer for 10 minutes.
  10. Simmer the Meatballs in Sauce:
  11. Add the browned meatballs to the sauce, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the meatballs to cook through.
  12. Cook the Spaghetti:
  13. While the meatballs simmer, cook spaghetti in a pot of salted boiling water until al dente according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
  14. Assemble and Serve:
  15. Toss the cooked spaghetti with a portion of the sauce for even coating. Serve meatballs and extra sauce over the spaghetti. Garnish with fresh parsley and grated Parmesan, if desired.