Name: Homemade Classic Spaghetti and Meatballs
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 1 h 5 min
Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients: 1 lb ground beef; 0.5 lb ground pork; 0.5 cup breadcrumbs; 0.25 cup whole milk; 0.25 cup grated Parmesan cheese 1 large egg 2 cloves garlic, minced 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley 1 tsp dried oregano; 0.5 tsp crushed red pepper flakes 1 tsp salt; 0.5 tsp black pepper 2 tbsp olive oil (for searing) 2 tbsp olive oil (for sauce) 1 small onion, finely chopped 3 cloves garlic, minced 28 oz can crushed tomatoes 14 oz can diced tomatoes 2 tbsp tomato paste 1 tsp sugar 1 tsp salt; 0.5 tsp black pepper 1 tsp dried basil; 0.5 tsp dried oregano; 0.25 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped 12 oz spaghetti Salt (for pasta water) Freshly grated Parmesan Chopped fresh parsley

Description

Rich, comforting, and bursting with homemade flavor, this Homemade Classic Spaghetti and Meatballs recipe is a must-have in your collection of easy dinner ideas. Juicy, tender meatballs simmered in a deeply savory marinara sauce and served over a bed of perfectly cooked spaghetti—this dish is everything a quick, hearty, and easy recipe should be. Perfect for weeknight meals, family dinners, or meal prep, it’s a flavorful staple you’ll return to time and time again. This is your go-to for dinner ideas, comfort food recipes, or when you just need a warm, satisfying plate of classic Italian-American goodness.

Ingredients

Scale

1 lb ground beef

0.5 lb ground pork

0.5 cup breadcrumbs

0.25 cup whole milk

0.25 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1 large egg

2 cloves garlic, minced

2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley

1 tsp dried oregano

0.5 tsp crushed red pepper flakes

1 tsp salt

0.5 tsp black pepper

2 tbsp olive oil (for searing)

2 tbsp olive oil (for sauce)

1 small onion, finely chopped

3 cloves garlic, minced

28 oz can crushed tomatoes

14 oz can diced tomatoes

2 tbsp tomato paste

1 tsp sugar

1 tsp salt

0.5 tsp black pepper

1 tsp dried basil

0.5 tsp dried oregano

0.25 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped

12 oz spaghetti

Salt (for pasta water)

Freshly grated Parmesan

Chopped fresh parsley

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Instructions

1. Soak the breadcrumbs in milk for 5 minutes in a small bowl until softened.

2. In a large bowl, combine soaked breadcrumbs, beef, pork, Parmesan, egg, garlic, parsley, oregano, red pepper, salt, and pepper. Mix gently.

3. Form into 1.5-inch balls. Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat and brown meatballs on all sides, about 5–7 minutes. Set aside.

4. In the same skillet, add more olive oil and sauté onion for 5 minutes. Add garlic, cook for 30 seconds. Stir in tomato paste.

5. Add crushed and diced tomatoes, sugar, salt, pepper, dried basil, and oregano. Simmer for 10 minutes.

6. Return meatballs to sauce, partially cover, and simmer on low for 25–30 minutes until meatballs are cooked through.

7. Meanwhile, boil salted water and cook spaghetti until al dente. Reserve 0.5 cup pasta water, then drain.

8. Toss pasta with sauce and meatballs. Use pasta water to adjust consistency if needed.

9. Garnish with Parmesan and parsley. Serve hot.

Notes

Let the sauce simmer with the meatballs for rich, developed flavor.

Don’t skip browning the meatballs—it adds a ton of depth.

Soaking the breadcrumbs keeps the meatballs juicy and tender.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Category: Dinner
Method: Stovetop, Simmered
Cuisine: Italian-American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1/6 of recipe
Calories: 620
Sugar: 8
Sodium: 980
Fat: 32
Saturated Fat: 11
Unsaturated Fat: 17
Trans Fat: 0
Carbohydrates: 48
Fiber: 4
Protein: 32
Cholesterol: 105