Lidia's Spaghetti and Meatballs

Savor the comforting flavors of Lidia's Spaghetti and Meatballs, a classic Italian-American dish that brings hearty, homemade goodness to the table. This recipe combines a savory blend of ground beef and pork with garlic, parsley, and Parmesan cheese to create tender, flavorful meatballs, perfectly browned for a rich depth of taste. Simmered in a robust tomato sauce infused with aromatic herbs like oregano and basil, these meatballs pair beautifully with al dente spaghetti for a meal that feels both indulgent and effortless. Finished with a sprinkling of Parmesan and fresh parsley, this time-honored recipe is ideal for family dinners or special occasions. Ready in just over an hour, it’s a delectable way to bring authentic Italian flavors to your kitchen. Perfect for fans of classic spaghetti recipes, comfort food, and rich tomato-based pasta dishes!

Nutriscore Rating: 65/100

Prep Time:25 mins

Cook Time:45 mins

Total Time:70 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 lb Ground beef
• 0.5 lb Ground pork
• 0.5 cup Breadcrumbs
• 0.25 cup Milk
• 2 large Eggs
• 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• 3 cloves Garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons Parsley, chopped
• 1.5 teaspoons Salt
• 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
• 2 tablespoons Olive oil
• 2 cups Canned crushed tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons Tomato paste
• 1 medium Onion, finely chopped
• 1 teaspoon Dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon Dried basil
• 1 teaspoon Sugar
• 1 lb Spaghetti, dried
• 0 for boiling Water
• 2 tablespoons Salt

Directions

Step 1

In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, milk, eggs, Parmesan cheese, garlic, parsley, salt, and black pepper. Mix with your hands until just combined, being careful not to overmix.

Step 2

Using a tablespoon or an ice cream scoop, shape the mixture into 1 1/2-inch meatballs. Set aside on a plate.

Step 3

Heat olive oil in a large sauté pan over medium heat. Add the meatballs in batches and cook for about 5-6 minutes, turning occasionally, until they are browned on all sides. Remove and set aside.

Step 4

In the same pan, add the chopped onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in the garlic, oregano, and basil, and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.

Step 5

Add the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, and sugar to the pan. Stir to combine and bring to a simmer.

Step 6

Return the meatballs to the pan, nestling them into the tomato sauce. Cover and let the sauce simmer for 25-30 minutes, occasionally stirring gently.

Step 7

While the meatballs are cooking, bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the salt and the spaghetti. Cook according to package instructions until al dente, usually 9-11 minutes.

Step 8

Drain the spaghetti and transfer to a large serving bowl. Pour some of the meatball sauce over the spaghetti and toss to coat.

Step 9

Serve the spaghetti topped with meatballs and more sauce. Garnish with grated Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(4106.8g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	4384.3

Total Fat 189.4g	0%
Saturated Fat 67.8g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 942.7mg	0%
Sodium 20551.2mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 438.9g	0%
Dietary Fiber 28.8g	0%
Total Sugars 52.4g
Protein 241.3g	0%

Vitamin D 108.8IU	0%
Calcium 1130.4mg	0%
Iron 26.2mg	0%
Potassium 4557.6mg	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: 38.5%

Protein: 21.8%

Carbs: 39.7%