How to Make Spaghetti & Meatballs at Home – Quick Recipe

This recipe is from my first published cookbook, Savory Trails. Delicious, rich, satisfying, perfect. Spaghetti and meatballs will make anyone smile. In the world of pasta dinners, spaghetti and meatballs can be overlooked in favor of more exciting options. If you’re looking for classic, no-frills spaghetti and meatballs, then you’ve come to the right place. Make this as-is for the best-ever version of this classic dish, or feel free to use it as a base to experiment with and make your own.

Yields             Prep Time       Cook & Prep Time

8 servings       30min               1hr 30min

Ingredients

For the meatballs:

📌3/4 lb. ground beef

📌3/4 lb. ground pork

📌3/4 cup fine breadcrumbs

📌2 whole eggs

📌3 cloves garlic, minced

📌3/4 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese

📌1/4 cup flat-leaf parsley, minced

📌1/2 cup olive oil

📌1/4 tsp. salt

📌Freshly ground black pepper

📌Splash of milk

For the sauce and pasta:

🔰1 can (28 ounces) whole tomatoes

🔰1 whole yellow onion, diced

🔰3 cloves garlic, minced

🔰1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes

🔰1/4 cup flat-leaf parsley, minced

🔰Freshly ground black pepper

🔰1/4 tsp. salt

🔰2 lb. spaghetti, cooked to al dente

🔰1 tsp. sugar

🔰1/2 cup white or red wine (optional)

🔰Crushed red pepper flakes (optional)

🔰8 whole fresh basil leaves, chopped (optional)

Directions

Step 1:

First, to make the meatballs: combine the meat, eggs, breadcrumbs, parmesan, garlic, parsley, salt, pepper, and a splash of milk in a mixing bowl. Mix together well, using your hands. Roll into 25 1½-inch balls and place on a cookie sheet. Place the cookie sheet into the freezer for 5 to 10 minutes to firm up.

Step 2:

Then, to brown the meatballs, heat the olive oil in a heavy pot or large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the meatballs, about eight at a time, turning to brown on all sides (they’ll finish cooking in the sauce later). Remove and drain on a paper towel-lined plate after each batch. 

Step 3:

After that, in the same pot, add the onions and garlic and cook for a few minutes, or until translucent. Pour in crushed tomatoes, whole tomatoes with their juices, and wine, if using. Add the red pepper flakes, parsley, salt, pepper, and sugar. Stir to combine and cook over medium heat for 20 minutes.

Step 4:

Add the meatballs to the pot and stir gently into the sauce. Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook for 30 minutes, stirring very gently a couple of times.

Step 5:

Just before serving, stir in the basil, if using. Serve overcooked spaghetti and sprinkle with extra parmesan.

Tips & tricks

• Be careful when frying the meatballs as they can fall apart if you’re not gentle.
• Browning the meatballs first is important because it adds flavour to the dish.

Try this delicious recipe, and leave me your thoughts down there. I really like to read them all.

If you loved this Spaghetti & Meatballs recipe, don't forget to try our Tomato Pasta recipe too.