Spaghetti and Meatballs
If you are looking for an easy and delicious weeknight dinner, this Spaghetti and Meatballs recipe is for you. The meatballs are tender and flavorful. Making the sauce is a breeze. You can use your favorite Marinara Sauce if you wish, or follow the recipe below for one. This is a fool-proof recipe and is flexible to meet your liking.
You can experiment with the recipe, as I did several times. I have tried it with Indian spices. I even filled the meatballs with different types of cheeses, but you can keep it simple because it is bursting with flavor despite its simplicity.
There are many variations that you can try and or come up with your own and share with all of us in the comment section below.
I have other mouth-watering meatball recipes on my blog like Swedish Meatballs, Greek Meatballs, and Cheese Stuffed Meatballs.
❤️ WHY YOU’LL LOVE THIS RECIPE
Easy to make. This dinner recipe can be on your dinner table in a few minutes.
Simple ingredients. It is budget-friendly, and the ingredients are available in almost every kitchen.
No mess. There is minimal cleanup after making this meal.
Flexible. You can make this recipe your own by making small changes to it and adding your favorite spices and type of pasta.
Flavorful. Using the right amount of spices and ingredients brings out a fantastic taste to this spaghetti and meatballs.
SPAGHETTI MEATBALLS INGREDIENTS
Spaghetti – You can choose your type of spaghetti, thin or thick.
Ground meat – I often use ground lamb meat for delicious meatballs, but you can use beef or a mixture of both.
Olive oil – We will use it to make the sauce and in the meatballs. You can use other cooking oil but olive oil gives a better taste.
A mix of spices – Cumin, garlic, onion, and black pepper are in the meatball mix, and some will be in the sauce.
Marinara sauce – You can use a ready-made marinara sauce to save time or follow the steps below to make a quick version of it.
HOW TO MAKE SPAGHETTI AND MEATBALLS
Step 1
Cook the spaghetti according to the package instructions.
Step 2
In a mixing bowl, add all the meatballs ingredients and mix until combined. Form the meatballs to the size you wish.
Step 3
Dredge the meatballs in flour and fry for 8 minutes. Keep aside
Step 4
In a large pot, add olive oil and saute the chopped onion; when translucent, add the garlic and cook for a minute on medium-low heat.
Step 5
Add the crushed or pureed tomatoes. Keep cooking for a few minutes then add the spices, salt, and chopped basil. Add the boiling water and bring the mixture to a simmer. Let it cook for 15 to 20 minutes.
Step 6
Add the cooked meatballs to the sauce and let it cook for 5 minutes.
Step 7
Serve the meatballs with the sauce over the previously cooked spaghetti. You can also mix the pasta with the meatball sauce before serving.
Step 8
Garnish with parmesan cheese or freshly chopped parsley.
👩🏽🍳 PRO TIPS
- Drain the spaghetti and then drizzle a little oil and mix to prevent the spaghetti from sticking after draining.
- You can bake the meatballs in the oven or use an air fryer for a healthier option.
- When cooking the meatballs on the stovetop, cook them on medium-high heat to sear and keep the juices inside, then reduce the heat to medium-low.
- You can mix half-ground beef and half-Italian sausage for more flavor and tender meatballs. There are Italian sausages without ground pork.
🍽️ HOW TO SERVE SPAGHETTI AND MEATBALLS
You can serve meatballs and spaghetti with my French Olive Bread or Olive garden Breadsticks. Sprinkle some parmesan cheese before serving.
STORING SPAGHETTI AND MEATBALLS
You can store the leftover in an airtight container and refrigerate it for up to 3 to 4 days.
To enjoy this dish later, place it in a freezer-friendly bag and freeze it for up to 5 months.
To heat frozen meatballs and spaghetti, place it in the fridge to thaw and then microwave it or heat it in a pot on the stovetop.
📣 MORE DINNER RECIPES YOU’LL LIKE
⭐PLEASE RATE AND REVIEW
If you have tried this Spaghetti and Meatballs recipe and liked it, please give it a 5-star rating and leave a comment below with your experience!
Spaghetti and Meatballs Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 oz uncooked spaghetti
FOR THE MEATBALLS
- 400 gm ground beef Read the notes
- 1 tablespoon grated parmesan cheese
- Salt to taste use a little less than 1/2 teaspoon since there is salt in parmesan
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon ginger powder
- ¼ teaspoon cumin powder
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 1 slice of bread
- 3 tablespoon milk or water
TO DREDGE THE MEATBALLS
- ½ cup all-purpose flour to dredge the meatballs
TO FRY THE MEATBALLS
- 3 tablespoon olive oil
FOR MARINARA SAUCE
- 2 cups fresh tomato puree or crushed tomatoes
- 1 onion chopped
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- ¼ teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon allspice
- 1 tablespoon chopped basil
- ½ cup boiling water
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Cook the spaghetti as per the instructions written on the box. After draining the spaghetti, drizzle some olive oil over it and toss so it won’t stick together. Keep aside.
TO MAKE THE MEATBALLS
- In a large bowl, add the bread and three tablespoons of milk or water. Mash the bread with a fork.
- Add the remaining ingredients of the meatballs and mix well. Form small or medium size balls and keep them aside.
- On a plate, add the all-purpose flour and dredge all the meatballs.
- In a large skillet, add 3 tablespoons olive oil and fry the meatballs on medium-high heat, then reduce the heat and cook the meatballs for 8 minutes. It’s best to fry the meatballs in batches. Keep aside.
TO MAKE THE MARINARA SAUCE
- Add the olive oil to a pan; add the chopped onion when translucent. Add the garlic and cook on medium-low for a minute.
- Add the tomato puree or the crushed tomatoes and stir for three minutes. Add the spices, chopped basil, and salt, and cook for another minute.
- Pour the boiling water and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes. You can add more water if you want the sauce thinner.
- With a hand blender, blend the sauce. Add the meatballs and cook for 5 minutes.
- Serve the meatballs over the previously cooked spaghetti and sprinkle with grated parmesan cheese if you wish. You can also mix the pasta with the sauce before serving.
Notes
- You can use only ground beef, lamb, or a mix of both. For a lighter version you can go for ground chicken or turkey.
- You can add a tablespoon of fresh parsley for more flavor.
- Instead of a slice of bread, you use crackers or breadcrumbs.
- For a little heat, add red pepper flakes to the sauce.
- I don’t always add basil to the sauce. If your family is not fond of it, do not add it. Cook this dish to your and your family’s liking.
- Mixing the bread with milk makes tender meatballs; you can skip it but I highly recommend it.
- This post was originally published in 2016, changed the URL and added more information.
