Description
Classic Italian Spaghetti and Meatballs cooked in a rich tomato sauce with a blend of ground beef and pork, seasoned with garlic, herbs, and parmesan cheese. This hearty and comforting dish is perfect for family dinners or entertaining guests, featuring homemade meatballs simmered in a flavorful tomato sauce served over perfectly cooked spaghetti.
Ingredients
Scale
Tomato Sauce
- 2 (28 ounce) cans whole tomatoes (with juices)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt & pepper, to taste
Meatballs
- 1/3 cup Italian seasoned breadcrumbs
- 1/3 cup whole milk
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/2 pound ground pork or ground Italian sausage
- 1 large egg
- 3/4 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese (plus more for serving)
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped finely
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- Pepper, to taste
Pasta & Garnish
- 1 pound uncooked spaghetti
- Torn or chopped fresh basil (optional, to taste)
Instructions
- Prep Ingredients: Mince all garlic cloves at once to save time. Empty the canned whole tomatoes into a large bowl and use your hands to break them up into smaller pieces. Set aside.
- Start Sauce: Heat olive oil, butter, and chopped onion in a large soup pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Sauté for about 5 minutes until the onions are softened and translucent.
- Add Garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
- Simmer Sauce: Add the broken-up tomatoes with their juices, Italian seasoning, dried oregano, granulated sugar, and crushed red pepper flakes if using. Stir well and bring to a gentle bubble. Cover the pot with the lid slightly ajar, reduce heat to medium-low or low, and simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally to maintain a steady simmer.
- Prepare Meatball Mixture: In a large bowl, combine breadcrumbs and milk, mashing together until a paste forms. Add ground beef, ground pork or Italian sausage, egg, parmesan cheese, parsley, garlic, salt, onion powder, and pepper. Mix gently with your hands until just combined—avoid overmixing to keep meatballs tender.
- Form Meatballs: Shape the mixture into approximately 18 meatballs, each about 1 ½ inches in diameter. Place them on plates or parchment-lined baking sheets lined for easy cleanup.
- Cook Meatballs in Sauce: Stir the sauce, then carefully add the meatballs to the pot, submerging them gently in the sauce. Cover partially and continue simmering for 35-45 minutes until the meatballs are cooked through (internal temperature 165°F). Adjust heat as needed to maintain a gentle simmer.
- Season Sauce: Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper generously as desired.
- Cook Spaghetti: Meanwhile, cook the spaghetti according to package instructions until al dente. Drain.
- Serve: Plate the cooked spaghetti, ladle meatballs and sauce over the top, sprinkle with extra freshly grated parmesan cheese, and garnish with fresh basil if using. Enjoy immediately.
Notes
- Using whole canned tomatoes allows for a richer, more textured sauce compared to crushed or pureed tomatoes.
- Whole milk is recommended to keep meatballs moist and tender.
- Ground pork adds flavor and fat that enhances the meatball texture; alternatively, Italian sausage can be used for a spicier kick.
- Use a garlic press for quick and consistent mincing of garlic cloves.
- Monitor simmering temperatures closely to prevent sauce from boiling aggressively, which can toughen meatballs.
- Fresh basil adds a lovely aroma and bright flavor but is optional based on availability and preference.
- To save time, meatballs can be partially cooked by baking before adding to the sauce, but simmering in the sauce enhances flavor and keeps them tender.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Simmering, Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 1/6 of recipe)
- Calories: 620
- Sugar: 9 g
- Sodium: 520 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 55 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 135 mg
Keywords: Spaghetti, Meatballs, Italian Recipe, Tomato Sauce, Pasta, Comfort Food, Dinner, Homemade Meatballs
