Spaghetti & Meatballs

A classic Italian-American dish featuring tender meatballs made with a mix of meats, served with spaghetti and marinara sauce.

Preparation Time

• Prep: 15 mins
• Cook: 25 mins
• Total: 40 mins

Ingredients

For Meatballs

• 1 large egg
• 3 tablespoons fresh basil, finely chopped (plus more for serving)
• 3 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup water
• 1 1/2 pounds meatloaf mix (equal parts ground beef, pork, and veal)
• 3/4 cup Italian style dried breadcrumbs (such as Progresso)
• 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmigiano Reggiano cheese (plus more for serving)

For Pasta and Sauce

• 32 ounces good quality marinara sauce (such as Rao’s)
• 1 pound spaghetti
• Pinch of sugar (optional)
• Additional black pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Preheat oven:

   • Set to 350°F
   • Position rack in middle

2. Make meatball mixture:

   • Whisk egg, basil, parsley, oregano, salt, pepper, garlic, and water
   • Add meat, breadcrumbs, and cheese
   • Mix until just combined (use hands)
   • Do not overwork mixture

3. Form and bake meatballs:

   • Roll into golf ball-sized meatballs
   • Place on ungreased baking sheet
   • Bake 10 minutes
   • Turn meatballs with metal spatula
   • Bake additional 10 minutes until browned

4. Prepare sauce:

   • Bring marinara to simmer in large skillet
   • Adjust seasoning (optional: add pinch of sugar and black pepper)
   • Add browned meatballs to sauce
   • Cover loosely
   • Simmer 10 minutes

5. Cook pasta:

   • Bring large pot of salted water to boil
   • Cook spaghetti until al dente
   • Drain

6. Combine and serve:

   • Toss pasta with sauce and meatballs
   • Top with fresh basil
   • Serve with additional grated cheese

Notes

• Can freeze cooked meatballs in sauce for up to 3 months
• Reheat frozen meatballs on stovetop until hot in center
• Use high-quality marinara for best results
• Don’t overwork meatball mixture to keep them tender
• Can use pasta pot for final mixing if skillet is too small

Source

Spaghetti and Meatballs