Spaghetti and Meatballs Recipe

Spaghetti and Meatballs Recipe

8 servings
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

  • white bread

    diced or torn to pieces), (crusts removed

    3 slice
  • cold water
    ⅝ c
  • lean ground beef

    7%-15% fat

    1 lb
  • Sweet Ground Italian sausage

    casings removed

    1 lb
  • parmesan cheese
    ¼ c
  • garlic

    minced

    4 clove
  • sea salt
    1 tsp
  • black pepper
    ½ tsp
  • egg
    1 large
  • all-purpose flour

    to dredge meatballs

    ¾ c
  • Light olive oil to saute
    3 tbsp
  • yellow onion

    1 cup chopped

    1 medium
  • garlic

    minced

    4 clove
  • tomatoes

    from 2 - 28 oz cans

    56 oz
  • bay leaves
    2
  • Salt & pepper
  • basil
    2 tbsp
  • spaghetti
    1 lb

Directions

How to make the best italian meatballs:

  1. 1

    Soak - Combine bread pieces with 2/3 cup water and set aside for 5 minutes, then mash with a fork.

  2. 2

    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.

  3. 3

    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:

  1. 1

    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.

  2. 2

    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).

  3. 3

    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:

  1. 1

    Cook pasta according to package instructions in salted water until al dente (or to desired doneness), drain, and return to the empty pot.

  2. 2

    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.

Spaghetti and Meatballs Recipe

Spaghetti and Meatballs Recipe

5.0(672)65 min8 servings696 cal

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Ratings & Reviews

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Based on 672 ratings

natashaskitchen.com
5.0(672 reviews)
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About this Recipe

Craving the ultimate comfort food that tastes like Sunday dinner, any day of the week? This Spaghetti and Meatballs recipe delivers truly juicy Italian Meatballs nestled in a rich, homemade marinara sauce, promising a deeply satisfying meal for all.

What sets this recipe apart is the thoughtful blend of lean ground beef with sweet ground Italian sausage, creating meatballs that are not just big, but also wonderfully tender and infused with robust flavor. Paired with a vibrant, from-scratch marinara, it's a classic combination designed for maximum deliciousness, surpassing any store-bought alternative.

Expect a hearty main course where each bite offers a perfect balance of savory meatball, tangy tomato sauce, and perfectly cooked spaghetti. The meatballs are designed to be substantial, offering a satisfying chew, while the sauce, simmered with minced garlic and bay leaves, provides a comforting depth. This is the kind of dish that warms you from the inside out, making it an instant family favorite.

Feel free to adjust the meat blend to your preference; you could use all ground beef for a more classic taste, or substitute spicy Italian sausage if you enjoy a little heat. For an extra layer of flavor, consider adding a pinch of red pepper flakes to the marinara sauce during cooking. A generous dusting of extra grated parmesan cheese on top before serving is always highly recommended.

This robust dish is perfect for a comforting family dinner, a gathering with friends, or any occasion that calls for a truly satisfying and memorable meal. Serve it with a simple green salad and crusty bread to complete the experience.

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