Recipes by Noelle

Spaghetti and Meatballs

🍝 Spaghetti and Meatballs

Spaghetti and meatballs is a comforting Italian-American classic that brings together , yummy meatballs, tomato sauce, and perfectly cooked spaghetti. It is an easy family dinner that feels special enough for a weekend meal .

Travel Inspiration:

Food has a wonderful way of connecting us with different cultures and places. Spaghetti and meatballs may be a favorite comfort food in America, but its story is part of a much bigger food journey. If you’d like to discover interesting destinations and plan your next trip, explore Globe Journey Hub for more travel inspiration.

Recipe Information

Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour
Servings: 4–6

Ingredients

For the Meatballs

  • 1 pound ground beef
  • ½ pound ground pork
  • ½ cup breadcrumbs
  • ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 cloves garlic, finely minced
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons milk
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil, for cooking

For the Tomato Sauce

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon sugar, optional
  • ¼ cup chopped fresh basil

For the Pasta

  • 12 ounces spaghetti
  • Salt, for the pasta water
  • ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese, for serving
  • Fresh basil or parsley, for garnish

Instructions

1. Prepare the Meatball Mixture

In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, egg, minced garlic, parsley, Italian seasoning, salt, black pepper, and milk.

Mix the ingredients with clean hands or a wooden spoon until everything is evenly combined in the bowl. Avoid mixing the meat too much because overmixing can make the meatballs dense instead of soften.

2. Shape the Meatballs

Divide the mixture into small pieces, evenly sized portions and roll each portion gently between your hands to form good meatballs. Aim for meatballs about 1½ inches wide.

Place the finished meatballs on a clean plate or baking sheet while you prepare the cooking surface.

3. Brown the Meatballs

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Carefully add the meatballs, leaving enough space between them so they can brown properly.

Cook the meatballs for several minutes, turning them occasionally so that multiple sides become nicely browned. They do not need to be completely cooked at this stage because they will finish cooking in the tomato sauce.

For food safety, ground meat should reach 160°F (71°C) internally.

Transfer the browned meatballs to a clean plate.

4. Make the Tomato Sauce

Using the same skillet, add the chopped onion and cook for about 3–4 minutes until softened.

Add the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds, stirring constantly so it does not burn.

Pour in the crushed tomatoes. Add Italian seasoning, salt, black pepper, and the optional sugar. Stir everything together.

Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer.

5. Simmer the Meatballs

Carefully return the browned meatballs to the tomato sauce. Reduce the heat to medium-low and cover the skillet partially.

Let the meatballs simmer in the sauce for about 15–20 minutes, turning them gently once or twice. The sauce will become richer as the meatballs finish cooking.

Stir in the fresh basil near the end of cooking.

6. Cook the Spaghetti

While the meatballs are simmering, bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add a generous amount of salt to the water.

Add the spaghetti and cook according to the package directions until al dente. The pasta should be tender but still have a slight bite.

Before draining, reserve about ½ cup of pasta water. Drain the spaghetti well.

7. Combine and Serve

You can either place the spaghetti directly into the skillet with some of the tomato sauce or arrange the pasta on individual plates and spoon the meatballs and sauce over the top.

Add freshly grated Parmesan cheese and garnish with fresh basil or parsley.

Serve immediately while everything is hot and the cheese can melt slightly over the warm sauce.

Cooking Tips

For especially tender meatballs, avoid packing the meat mixture too tightly when shaping them. A combination of beef and pork gives the meatballs a rich flavor, while breadcrumbs and milk help keep their texture tender.

If you prefer to use only beef, you can replace the pork with an equal amount of ground beef.

For a deeper tomato flavor, allow the sauce to simmer gently for a little longer. Just keep the heat low enough to prevent the sauce from sticking.

Storage and Reheating

Allow leftovers to cool before placing them in airtight containers. Store the spaghetti and meatballs in the refrigerator and enjoy within a few days.

For reheating, warm the meatballs and sauce gently in a skillet or saucepan. Add a small splash of water if the sauce has become too thick. Reheat the spaghetti until it is hot throughout.

You can also freeze the meatballs and sauce separately for convenient future meals.

Recipe Notes

This recipe is easy to customize. Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the tomato sauce if you enjoy a little heat. You can also use fresh oregano, extra Parmesan, or a mixture of different ground meats.

The most important part is to cook the meatballs gently and avoid overmixing the meat. This helps create tender meatballs that pair beautifully with the rich tomato sauce and spaghetti.

“The best meals bring good food and good company together.” 🍝❤️

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