Grammie's Spaghetti and Meatballs

Transport your taste buds straight to Sunday dinner at Grandma's house with Grammie's Spaghetti and Meatballs, a timeless classic bursting with rich, comforting flavors. This family recipe combines tender meatballs made with a perfect blend of ground beef and pork, seasoned with fresh garlic, parsley, and Parmesan, simmered to perfection in a robust tomato sauce infused with oregano and basil. Cooked al dente spaghetti provides the ideal base for soaking up the savory sauce, making every bite downright irresistible. With just 25 minutes of prep and straightforward steps, this dish is perfect for both weeknight dinners and cherished family gatherings. A sprinkle of extra Parmesan and parsley on top makes it truly unforgettable. Whether you're feeding a crowd or indulging in nostalgic comfort food, this recipe promises to become a cherished favorite!

Nutriscore Rating: 67/100

Prep Time:25 mins

Cook Time:50 mins

Total Time:75 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 pound Ground beef (80/20 lean)
• 0.5 pound Ground pork
• 0.5 cup Breadcrumbs
• 0.25 cup Grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 large Egg
• 2 cloves Minced garlic
• 2 tablespoons Chopped fresh parsley
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
• 2 tablespoons Olive oil
• 28 ounces Canned crushed tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons Tomato paste
• 1 medium Chopped onion
• 1 teaspoon Dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon Dried basil
• 1 teaspoon Sugar
• 12 ounces Spaghetti
• 1 gallon Water (for boiling)
• 2 tablespoons Salt (for pasta water)

Directions

Step 1

In a large mixing bowl, combine ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, egg, minced garlic, parsley, salt, and black pepper. Mix gently with your hands until just combined; avoid overmixing.

Step 2

Form the mixture into meatballs about 1.5 inches in diameter. Place them on a clean plate or baking sheet.

Step 3

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the meatballs in batches, making sure not to overcrowd the pan. Brown the meatballs on all sides for about 6–8 minutes, then remove them and set aside. They do not need to be fully cooked at this stage.

Step 4

In the same skillet, add chopped onion, cooking until softened, about 3–4 minutes. Stir in tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes to enhance its flavor.

Step 5

Add canned crushed tomatoes, oregano, basil, sugar, and a pinch of salt and pepper to the skillet. Stir well to combine.

Step 6

Return the browned meatballs to the skillet, nestling them into the sauce. Cover the skillet and let the sauce and meatballs simmer over low heat for 30–35 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Step 7

While the sauce simmers, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the spaghetti according to package instructions until al dente, about 8–10 minutes. Drain and set aside.

Step 8

Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning as needed. To serve, plate the spaghetti and top with meatballs and sauce. Garnish with additional Parmesan cheese and chopped parsley, if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(5990.8g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3244.9

Total Fat 183.5g	0%
Saturated Fat 61.4g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 4.6g
Cholesterol 744.8mg	0%
Sodium 18121.2mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 222.0g	0%
Dietary Fiber 26.4g	0%
Total Sugars 55.0g
Protein 182.2g	0%

Vitamin D 81.9IU	0%
Calcium 506.4mg	0%
Iron 28.2mg	0%
Potassium 4516.3mg	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: 50.5%

Protein: 22.3%

Carbs: 27.2%