Spaghetti and Meatballs Recipe
My Spaghetti and Meatballs recipe with homemade marinara sauce is so easy to make and always gets rave reviews! This Italian comfort meal is perfect for a weeknight meal, but is a crowd-favorite for your next dinner party. You'll make everything from scratch, from the juicy Italian Meatballs - so tender and big - to the perfectly seasoned marinara sauce. This is truly the Best Homemade Spaghetti Meatballs. Serve with garlic bread and a Caesar Salad for the perfect meal!
Ingredients
Ingredients for Meatballs (makes 22-23 meatballs):
- 3 slices white bread, (crusts removed), diced or torn to pieces
- 2/3 cup cold water
- 1 lb lean ground beef, (7%-15% fat)
- 1 lb Sweet Ground Italian sausage, casings removed
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese, plus more to serve
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp sea salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 large egg
- 3/4 cup all-purpose flour, to dredge meatballs
- 3 Tbsp Light olive oil to saute, or use vegetable oil
Ingredients for Sauce:
- 1 medium yellow onion, (1 cup chopped)
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 56 oz crushed tomatoes, (from 2 - 28 oz cans)
- 2 bay leaves, optional
- Salt & pepper , to taste
- 2 Tbsp basil, finely minced, plus more to garnish
Other Ingredients:
- 1 lb spaghetti
Instructions
How to Make the Best Italian Meatballs:
- Soak - Combine bread pieces with 2/3 cup water and set aside for 5 minutes, then mash with a fork.
- Mix - In a large mixing bowl or a stand mixer with paddle attachment, add: 1 lb ground beef, 1 lb sausage, 1/4 cup parmesan, 4 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, 1 egg, and mashed breadcrumbs. Mix until well combined.
- Brown the meatballs - Form into 1 1/2" meatballs (about a flat ice cream scoop of meat). Dredge/roll meatballs in flour, dusting off excess. Heat a deep, large, heavy skillet or a Dutch oven over medium heat with about 3 Tbsp oil. Add meatballs in 2 batches without crowding the pan and saute until browned on all sides (about 6 min total or 2 min per side). Remove meatballs and set aside (don't worry about cooking through at this point).
How to Make Marinara Sauce:
- Saute onion - In the same skillet over medium heat, add more oil if needed and saute 1 cup chopped onion, stirring often until soft and golden (5 min). Add 4 cloves minced garlic and stir 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- Stir in crushed tomatoes and 2 bay leaves. Bring to a light boil (stir to make sure it's actually boiling and not just sending bubbles to the surface).
- Add meatballs back into the pan with tomato sauce, partially cover and cook at a gentle simmer for 30 minutes, turning the meatballs occasionally. Meatballs will be tender, and the sauce will be thickened. A few minutes before the sauce is done, stir in chopped fresh basil and season with salt and pepper to taste. While meatballs simmer, make the pasta.
How to Make Spaghetti and Meatballs:
- Cook pasta according to package instructions in salted water until al dente (or to desired doneness), drain, and return to the empty pot.
- Toss together - Pour sauce and meatballs over spaghetti and toss gently to combine. To serve family-style, transfer to a large platter, garnish with parmesan cheese and fresh basil, and serve hot.
Notes
Timing: Cook the pasta as the sauce and meatballs are halfway through simmering. The pasta should be finished just in time.
Make Ahead - Spaghetti and Meatballs store well for meal planning or make-ahead meals. If you plan to freeze the meatballs and sauce with the spaghetti, undercook the spaghetti slightly so it doesn't become mushy when reheated.
Storage - Cool spaghetti and meatballs and pack them into an airtight container. Refrigerate for up to 4 days, or freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight, and reheat portions in the microwave, stirring until warmed through, or in a large pot on the stove.
Nutrition Facts
Spaghetti and Meatballs Recipe
Amount per Serving
Calories
696
% Daily Value*
Fat
29
g
45
%
Saturated Fat
9
g
56
%
Cholesterol
101
mg
34
%
Sodium
1112
mg
48
%
Potassium
1110
mg
32
%
Carbohydrates
73
g
24
%
Fiber
6
g
25
%
Sugar
11
g
12
%
Protein
35
g
70
%
Vitamin A
520
IU
10
%
Vitamin C
21.5
mg
26
%
Calcium
167
mg
17
%
Iron
6.4
mg
36
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
