Spaghetti with Small Meatballs

Dive into comfort food heaven with this irresistible Spaghetti with Small Meatballs recipe—a classic dish elevated by tender, flavorful homemade meatballs and a rich tomato sauce. Made with a perfect blend of ground beef and pork, Parmesan cheese, aromatic garlic, and fresh parsley, these bite-sized meatballs are browned to perfection before simmering in a fragrant sauce of crushed tomatoes, onions, and oregano. Tossed with al dente spaghetti and finished with a sprinkle of grated Parmesan and fresh basil, this hearty, family-friendly meal comes together in just under an hour. Whether you’re cooking for a casual weeknight dinner or a special gathering, this recipe spotlights the comforting simplicity of Italian-inspired cuisine.

Nutriscore Rating: 68/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:35 mins

Total Time:55 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 500 grams Ground beef
• 250 grams Ground pork
• 100 grams Breadcrumbs
• 50 grams Parmesan cheese, grated
• 1 large Egg
• 60 milliliters Milk
• 2 tablespoons Fresh parsley, finely chopped
• 3 cloves Garlic, minced
• 1.5 teaspoons Salt
• 1 teaspoon Black pepper
• 2 tablespoons Olive oil
• 1 medium Onion, finely chopped
• 800 grams Canned crushed tomatoes
• 1 teaspoon Dried oregano
• 400 grams Spaghetti
• 4 liters Water
• 2 tablespoons Salt for pasta water
• 5 leaves Basil leaves, torn (optional)

Directions

Step 1

In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, egg, milk, parsley, 1 minced garlic clove, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Mix gently until evenly combined.

Step 2

Using your hands, roll the meat mixture into small meatballs, about 2-3 cm in diameter. Place them on a tray and set aside.

Step 3

Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the meatballs, in batches if necessary, and brown them on all sides. Remove the browned meatballs and set them aside (they don’t have to be cooked through at this stage).

Step 4

In the same skillet, add the remaining olive oil and the chopped onion. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened.

Step 5

Stir in the remaining minced garlic (2 cloves) and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.

Step 6

Add the canned crushed tomatoes, dried oregano, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Stir well to combine.

Step 7

Reduce the heat to a simmer and gently add the browned meatballs to the sauce. Cover the skillet and let the meatballs cook in the sauce for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Step 8

While the meatballs cook, bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add 2 tablespoons of salt to the boiling water, then cook the spaghetti according to the package instructions until al dente (usually 8-10 minutes).

Step 9

Drain the spaghetti and transfer it to the skillet with the sauce and meatballs. Toss gently to combine, ensuring the pasta is well-coated in the sauce.

Step 10

Serve immediately, garnished with additional grated Parmesan cheese and torn basil leaves if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(6474.7g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3724.6

Total Fat 203.7g	0%
Saturated Fat 73.8g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 4.6g
Cholesterol 854.1mg	0%
Sodium 19393.6mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 268.0g	0%
Dietary Fiber 27.4g	0%
Total Sugars 52.2g
Protein 226.9g	0%

Vitamin D 81.0IU	0%
Calcium 1386.5mg	0%
Iron 31.1mg	0%
Potassium 4519.8mg	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: 48.1%

Protein: 23.8%

Carbs: 28.1%