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Classic Spaghetti and Meatballs

A close-up of a white plate filled with spaghetti and meatballs in marinara sauce, topped with parsley and parmesan.
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A comforting and nostalgic recipe for tender, juicy meatballs simmered in a rich tomato sauce, served over spaghetti. Perfect for a family dinner.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound ground beef (80/20)
  • 1/2 pound ground pork
  • 1 cup breadcrumbs, preferably stale
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • 2 (28 ounce) cans crushed tomatoes
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1 pound spaghetti
  • Fresh basil leaves, for garnish

Instructions

  1. In a large bowl, combine breadcrumbs and milk. Let sit for 5 minutes.
  2. Add ground beef, ground pork, eggs, Parmesan cheese, parsley, minced garlic, salt, and pepper to the breadcrumb mixture. Mix gently with your hands until just combined. Do not overmix.
  3. Form the mixture into meatballs, about 1.5 inches in diameter. You should have about 18-20 meatballs.
  4. Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Brown the meatballs in batches, turning occasionally, until browned on all sides. Remove meatballs from the pot and set aside.
  5. Add chopped onion to the pot and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
  6. Pour in crushed tomatoes, oregano, and basil. Stir to combine. Bring the sauce to a simmer.
  7. Carefully return the browned meatballs to the sauce. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for at least 30 minutes, or up to 1 hour, stirring occasionally.
  8. While the sauce simmers, cook spaghetti according to package directions. Drain well.
  9. Serve the meatballs and sauce over the cooked spaghetti. Garnish with fresh basil leaves.

Notes

  • For extra tender meatballs, ensure you don’t overwork the meat mixture.
  • You can bake the meatballs at 400°F (200°C) for 20-25 minutes instead of pan-frying them.
  • This recipe is a great base for meal planning. Leftovers store well.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://kitchenslang.com/spaghetti-and-meatballs-tender-meatballs-recipe/