Classic Spaghetti and Meatballs

Savor the comforting flavors of Italy with this Classic Spaghetti and Meatballs recipe! Featuring tender beef-and-pork meatballs infused with garlic, herbs, and Parmesan, simmered to perfection in a rich tomato-basil sauce, this dish is the epitome of hearty homestyle cooking. Every bite of al dente spaghetti coated in the luscious, slow-cooked sauce is pure comfort food bliss. Ideal for family dinners or a cozy date night, this recipe combines simple pantry staples with fresh ingredients for a satisfying, crowd-pleasing meal. Garnish with extra basil and Parmesan for a flavorful finish that will transport your taste buds straight to a rustic Italian kitchen.

Nutriscore Rating: 70/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 500 g ground beef
• 250 g ground pork
• 100 g breadcrumbs
• 50 g parmesan cheese, grated
• 1 large egg
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 20 g fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp salt
• 0.5 tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 800 g canned crushed tomatoes
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 10 g fresh basil leaves, chopped
• 1 tsp sugar
• 400 g spaghetti
• 3 L water
• 1 tbsp salt for pasta water

Directions

Step 1

In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese, egg, 2 minced garlic cloves, chopped parsley, oregano, 1 tsp of salt, and 0.5 tsp of black pepper.

Step 2

Mix the meatball mixture by hand until all ingredients are evenly incorporated.

Step 3

Shape the mixture into 16-18 meatballs, each about the size of a golf ball, and set them aside.

Step 4

In a large skillet, heat 1 tbsp of olive oil over medium heat.

Step 5

Add the meatballs in batches, being careful not to overcrowd the pan, and brown them on all sides. This should take about 5-7 minutes per batch.

Step 6

Once browned, remove the meatballs from the skillet and set them on a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess oil.

Step 7

In a large pot or the same skillet, heat the remaining 1 tbsp of olive oil over medium heat.

Step 8

Add the finely chopped onion and the remaining minced garlic clove. Sauté until the onion is translucent and garlic is fragrant, about 3-4 minutes.

Step 9

Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, and sugar into the onion and garlic mixture.

Step 10

Add the browned meatballs into the tomato sauce along with 5 g of chopped basil. Stir to combine.

Step 11

Reduce the heat to low, cover, and let the sauce simmer for 25 minutes until the meatballs are cooked through and the sauce thickens. Stir occasionally.

Step 12

While the sauce is simmering, bring a large pot of water to a boil and add 1 tbsp of salt.

Step 13

Add the spaghetti to the boiling water and cook according to package instructions until al dente, usually about 8-10 minutes.

Step 14

Drain the spaghetti and return it to the pot.

Step 15

Add some of the tomato sauce to the spaghetti to prevent it from sticking.

Step 16

To serve, place a portion of spaghetti on a plate, top with meatballs and sauce, and garnish with the remaining fresh basil and additional grated parmesan cheese if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(7900.2g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3375.0

Total Fat 195.3g	0%
Saturated Fat 69.3g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 4.6g
Cholesterol 784.8mg	0%
Sodium 11449.9mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 214.1g	0%
Dietary Fiber 26.3g	0%
Total Sugars 48.9g
Protein 198.7g	0%

Vitamin D 81.9IU	0%
Calcium 1455.1mg	0%
Iron 30.9mg	0%
Potassium 4350.0mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 51.6%

Protein: 23.3%

Carbs: 25.1%