Penny's Spaghetti Sauce and Meatballs

Experience the ultimate comfort food with Penny's Spaghetti Sauce and Meatballs, a timeless classic bursting with rich, homemade flavor. This hearty recipe combines a slow-simmered tomato sauce infused with aromatic garlic, onions, basil, and oregano, paired with tender, juicy meatballs made from a savory blend of ground beef and pork, Parmesan cheese, and fresh parsley. The meatballs are lightly browned for a golden crust before finishing in the flavorful sauce, ensuring a melt-in-your-mouth texture. Served over perfectly cooked spaghetti and garnished with Parmesan, this dish brings all the warmth and nostalgia of a family-style Italian dinner. Perfect for weeknight meals or special gatherings, this satisfying recipe will quickly become a household favorite. Keywords: homemade spaghetti sauce, traditional meatballs, Italian dinner recipes, comfort food pasta dishes, family-style meals.

Nutriscore Rating: 72/100

Prep Time:25 mins

Cook Time:60 mins

Total Time:85 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 large, diced yellow onion
• 4 cloves, minced garlic
• 28 ounces (1 can) crushed tomatoes
• 6 ounces (1 can) tomato paste
• 1 cup water
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 pound ground beef
• 0.5 pound ground pork
• 0.5 cup breadcrumbs
• 0.25 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 tablespoons milk
• 1 large egg
• 2 tablespoons, chopped fresh parsley
• 1 pound spaghetti

Directions

Step 1

Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another 1–2 minutes until fragrant.

Step 2

Add the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, and water to the pot. Stir well to combine.

Step 3

Season the sauce with sugar, dried basil, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper. Reduce heat to low, cover, and let it simmer while you prepare the meatballs.

Step 4

In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, milk, egg, and chopped parsley. Mix gently with your hands until well combined, but do not overmix.

Step 5

Form the meat mixture into 1.5-inch meatballs, placing them on a plate or sheet as you go.

Step 6

Heat a large skillet over medium heat and drizzle with a little olive oil. Brown the meatballs on all sides, working in batches if necessary. The meatballs do not need to be fully cooked at this stage as they will finish cooking in the sauce.

Step 7

Transfer the browned meatballs into the simmering sauce. Gently stir to coat them in the sauce, then cover the pot and let simmer for 30–40 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Step 8

While the meatballs are simmering, cook the spaghetti according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.

Step 9

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

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2554.5g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3334.7

Total Fat 176.0g	0%
Saturated Fat 61.5g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 713.8mg	0%
Sodium 4169.7mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 254.6g	0%
Dietary Fiber 24.4g	0%
Total Sugars 54.1g
Protein 193.8g	0%

Vitamin D 54.0IU	0%
Calcium 702.1mg	0%
Iron 27.3mg	0%
Potassium 3577.6mg	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: 46.9%

Protein: 23.0%

Carbs: 30.2%