Classic Spaghetti Meatballs Recipe: Homemade Comfort Magic

Comfort food reaches new heights with this classic spaghetti and meatballs recipe that brings authentic Italian flavors right to your dinner table.

Tender, juicy meatballs nestled in rich, aromatic tomato sauce create a symphony of taste that warms every corner of your heart.

Each bite promises a perfect balance of herbs, spices, and perfectly cooked ground meat.

The secret lies in selecting quality ingredients and allowing them to meld together seamlessly.

Handcrafted with love, these meatballs promise a hearty meal that transforms an ordinary evening into a memorable dining experience.

The combination of ground beef, breadcrumbs, and carefully chosen seasonings ensures a mouthwatering result that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Prepare to savor a timeless dish that celebrates simplicity and deliciousness.

FAQs

• Can I use ground turkey instead of beef for the meatballs?

Yes, ground turkey is a great lean alternative. Just ensure it’s not too dry by adding a bit more moisture with extra milk or an egg.

• How do I prevent my meatballs from falling apart?

Mix ingredients gently and avoid overworking the meat. Use breadcrumbs and eggs as binding agents, and let the meatballs rest before cooking to help them hold their shape.

• What if I don't have passata?

You can substitute with crushed tomatoes or tomato sauce. Just make sure to adjust the water content and seasoning accordingly to maintain the sauce’s consistency and flavor.

Spaghetti and Meatballs: The Comfort Classic

• This spaghetti and meatballs recipe delivers pure homestyle comfort with rich, traditional flavors that remind you of family dinners.
• Learn professional culinary skills like browning meatballs, creating marinara sauce, and achieving perfect meat texture without complicated steps.
• Easily adapt the recipe by switching ground beef for turkey, adding different herbs, or adjusting spice levels to match your personal taste preferences.
• Minimize kitchen cleanup with a recipe that uses the same skillet for browning meatballs and creating sauce, making cooking and washing up super convenient.

Ingredients for Timeless Spaghetti and Meatballs

• Ground Beef: A classic protein that forms the base of tender, flavorful meatballs.
• Parmesan Cheese: Adds rich, savory depth and helps bind the meatballs together.

• Onion, Garlic: Provide a robust and aromatic foundation for the meatballs and sauce.
• Parsley, Dried Italian Herbs: Bring fresh and herbal notes to enhance the overall flavor profile.

• Bread Cubes, Milk: Create a soft, moist texture and help the meatballs hold their shape.
• Salt, Black Pepper, Nutmeg: Add essential seasoning and subtle warmth to the meatball mixture.

• Tomato Passata: Provides a smooth, rich base for the classic marinara sauce.
• Water, Sugar, Vinegar: Balance and round out the sauce's flavor and consistency.
• Olive Oil: Used for browning meatballs and sautéing aromatics.

• Spaghetti: The traditional pasta that serves as the perfect base for meatballs and sauce.

Pasta Night Equipment for Success

• Large mixing bowl: Essential for combining meatball ingredients and mixing thoroughly.
• Cutting board: Perfect for chopping onions, garlic, and parsley.
• Sharp knife: Needed for precise ingredient preparation.
• Skillet or large frying pan: Critical for browning meatballs and cooking sauce.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: Great for stirring sauce and mixing ingredients.
• Measuring spoons: Helps accurately measure salt, herbs, and seasonings.
• Pasta pot: Required for boiling spaghetti in salted water.
• Colander: Used for draining cooked spaghetti.
• Cheese grater: Helpful for freshly grating Parmesan cheese.
• Tongs: Useful for handling and turning meatballs while browning.

How to Make Classic Spaghetti & Meatballs

Step 1: Create Meatball Magic

• Grated onion
• Soft bread cubes
• Milk

Let the bread soak and soften, then mash everything into a smooth blend.

Sprinkle in parsley, minced garlic, Parmesan cheese, salt, black pepper, and a whisper of nutmeg.

Mix until the ingredients dance together harmoniously.

Step 2: Shape Perfect Meatballs

Gently fold ground beef into the mixture, being careful not to overwork the meat.

Roll the mixture into delightful round meatballs, each about the size of a golf ball.

Step 3: Golden Brown Transformation

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.

Carefully place meatballs in the pan, turning them to create a beautiful golden-brown crust.

Cook for about 6-8 minutes until they look irresistibly crispy.

Transfer the browned meatballs to a waiting plate.

Step 4: Craft Spectacular Marinara

Using the same skillet, sauté minced garlic and chopped onion until they release their aromatic magic.

Pour in tomato passata, add a splash of water, dried Italian herbs, a pinch of sugar, a dash of vinegar, and a sprinkle of salt.

Let the sauce simmer and thicken for 15-20 minutes, developing deep, rich flavors.

Step 5: Marry Meatballs And Sauce

Gently return the browned meatballs to the simmering sauce.

Let them cuddle and cook together on low heat for 15 minutes, allowing the flavors to become best friends.

Step 6: Prepare Perfect Pasta

Bring a pot of salted water to a rolling boil.

Cook spaghetti until it reaches that perfect al dente texture.

Drain the pasta, shaking off excess water.

Step 7: Create Culinary Artwork

Arrange the spaghetti on beautiful plates.

Lovingly spoon the saucy meatballs over the pasta.

Finish with a generous sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan cheese and a handful of chopped parsley.

Serve immediately and watch everyone’s eyes light up with joy.

Meatball Perfection Tips

• Handle ground beef gently and avoid overmixing to keep meatballs tender and soft.
• Add a splash of red wine to the marinara sauce for a richer, more complex taste profile.
• Use a cast-iron skillet for even, golden-brown meatball exteriors that seal in juiciness.
• Simmer sauce uncovered to naturally thicken and concentrate flavors without additional thickeners.
• Select high-quality ground beef with moderate fat content (80/20) for juicier, more flavorful meatballs.

Spaghetti and Meatball Customization Ideas

• Gluten-Free Meatball Remix: Replace bread cubes with gluten-free breadcrumbs or almond flour for a celiac-friendly version. Use ground turkey or chicken for a leaner protein option.
• Vegetarian Spaghetti Swap: Substitute meatballs with plant-based alternatives like lentil balls or mushroom-based meatless meatballs. Use vegetable broth instead of water in the marinara sauce for deeper flavor.
• Keto-Friendly Noodle Transformation: Swap traditional spaghetti with zucchini noodles or spaghetti squash. Use a low-carb marinara sauce and skip the sugar for a ketogenic-friendly meal.

Serving Up Spaghetti for Family Night

• Family Feast Night: Gather everyone around the table and create a warm, nostalgic dinner experience with this classic Italian-American comfort dish.
• Rustic Side Companions: Serve with crusty garlic bread, crisp Caesar salad, or roasted vegetables to complement the rich, savory meatballs and sauce.
• Wine Pairing Delight: Enhance the meal with a medium-bodied red wine like Chianti or Sangiovese, which beautifully balances the robust tomato and meat flavors.
• Leftover Magic: Transform extra meatballs and sauce into delicious meatball subs or use as a hearty topping for homemade pizza, maximizing your culinary creativity.

How to Keep Spaghetti and Meatballs Fresh

• Store leftover spaghetti and meatballs in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep in the refrigerator for 3-4 days, ensuring the dish is completely cooled before sealing.
• Transfer the meatballs and sauce to a freezer-safe container, removing excess air. Freeze for up to 3 months. Separate pasta from sauce to prevent soggy noodles.
• Place portions in a microwave-safe dish, cover with a damp paper towel to retain moisture. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until thoroughly warmed to 165°F.
• Pour sauce and meatballs into a skillet over medium-low heat. Add a splash of water or broth to prevent drying.

Classic Spaghetti Meatballs Recipe

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4.9 from 28 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Hearty classic spaghetti meatballs recipe brings Italian comfort to dinner tables with rich, savory flavors. Tender beef and pork blend seamlessly with aromatic herbs, creating a memorable meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Proteins:

• 1 pound (454 grams) ground beef
• 1 egg

Pasta and Bread Base:

• 1 pound (454 grams) spaghetti
• 2 slices sandwich bread
• 3 tablespoons milk

Sauce and Seasoning Ingredients:

• 28 ounces (794 grams) can tomato passata
• 1 medium onion
• 3 cloves garlic
• 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon vinegar
• 1/2 cup water
• Fresh parsley
• Pinch of nutmeg (optional)
• Red chili flakes (optional)

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Instructions

1. Craft a flavorful base for meatballs by mixing grated onion, milk-soaked bread cubes, and mashing into a smooth consistency. Incorporate parsley, garlic, Parmesan, salt, pepper, and nutmeg for enhanced depth of flavor.
2. Gently fold ground beef into the seasoned mixture, carefully avoiding overworking the meat. Shape into uniform 1.5-inch spherical meatballs with light, delicate touches.
3. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high temperature (375°F). Carefully brown meatballs on all surfaces until achieving a crispy, golden exterior, approximately 6-8 minutes. Transfer browned meatballs to a separate plate.
4. Using the same skillet, sauté garlic and onion until aromatic. Pour in tomato passata, water, Italian herbs, sugar, vinegar, and salt. Simmer sauce for 15-20 minutes, allowing it to reduce and thicken.
5. Reintroduce browned meatballs into the simmering sauce. Cook on low heat for an additional 15 minutes, enabling flavor integration and ensuring complete meatball cooking.
6. Simultaneously, prepare spaghetti in heavily salted boiling water. Cook until perfectly al dente, following package instructions. Drain pasta thoroughly, reserving a small amount of cooking water.
7. Elegantly plate spaghetti, generously top with meatballs and rich marinara sauce. Finish with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and chopped parsley. Serve immediately while piping hot.

Notes

• Achieve tender meatballs by gently mixing ingredients and avoiding overworking the meat, which prevents them from becoming tough and dense.
• Use a combination of ground beef and ground pork for added richness and more complex flavor profile in the meatballs.
• Consider preparing meatballs ahead of time and freezing them, allowing for quick and convenient meal preparation on busy nights.
• Enhance the marinara sauce’s depth by adding a splash of red wine during simmering or incorporating a small amount of anchovy paste for umami complexity.

• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 600
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 70 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg