Description
A comforting Italian-American classic, Homemade Spaghetti and Meatballs delivers tender, juicy meatballs simmered in a rich tomato sauce, served over perfectly cooked spaghetti. It’s a dish loved by all ages and ideal for cozy family dinners or casual entertaining.
Ingredients
1 lb ground beef (80/20)
1/2 cup breadcrumbs
2 large eggs
1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons chopped parsley
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons olive oil (plus more if needed)
1 small onion, finely chopped
1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
12 oz spaghetti
Additional grated Parmesan and parsley for garnish
Instructions
1. In a large bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, eggs, Parmesan, garlic, parsley, salt, and pepper. Mix gently with clean hands until just combined.
2. Shape the mixture into evenly sized meatballs.
3. Heat olive oil in a skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Brown the meatballs in batches, turning to brown all sides. Set aside.
4. In the same pan, add more olive oil if needed. Sauté chopped onion until soft, then add garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
5. Add crushed tomatoes to the pan. Season with salt and pepper. Let the sauce simmer for 10–15 minutes.
6. Return the meatballs to the sauce. Simmer, partially covered, for 20–25 minutes until the meatballs are fully cooked.
7. While the sauce simmers, cook the spaghetti in salted boiling water according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
8. Toss spaghetti with some of the sauce, then plate and top with meatballs and more sauce. Garnish with Parmesan and parsley.
Notes
Don’t overmix the meatball mixture—this keeps the meatballs tender, not tough.
For deeper flavor, brown the meatballs well before simmering in sauce.
Use high-quality canned tomatoes for the best sauce base—San Marzano if available.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate (approx.)
- Calories: 640
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 890mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 58g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 34g
- Cholesterol: 140mg