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Classic Spaghetti and Juicy Meatballs

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A nostalgic and comforting homemade spaghetti and juicy meatballs recipe featuring a rich tomato sauce and perfectly seasoned meatballs. Perfect for family dinners and busy weeknights.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb ground beef (80/20 blend recommended for juiciness)
  • 1/2 lb ground pork (optional but recommended for richness)
  • 1/2 cup fresh breadcrumbs or panko
  • 1/4 cup whole milk
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 28 oz canned crushed tomatoes
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • Fresh basil leaves for garnish (optional)
  • 12 oz spaghetti
  • Salt for pasta water

Instructions

  1. In a large mixing bowl, combine ground beef, ground pork, and fresh breadcrumbs. Add milk, grated Parmesan, minced garlic, chopped parsley, egg, dried oregano, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes if using. Mix gently until just combined, avoiding overmixing.
  2. Shape the mixture into about 20 meatballs, each about 2 tablespoons (30g) in size. Place on a plate or baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
  3. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Brown meatballs in batches for 2-3 minutes per side until golden crust forms. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate.
  4. In the same skillet, sauté chopped onion until translucent, about 4 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 more minute.
  5. Add crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, sugar, dried basil, dried oregano, salt, and pepper to the skillet. Bring to a gentle simmer.
  6. Return browned meatballs to the skillet, cover, and simmer for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  7. While sauce simmers, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook spaghetti according to package instructions until al dente, about 10-12 minutes. Drain well.
  8. Serve spaghetti topped with meatballs and sauce. Garnish with fresh basil leaves and extra Parmesan if desired.

Notes

Do not overmix the meatball mixture to keep meatballs tender. Brown meatballs before simmering for added flavor. Simmer sauce gently to keep meatballs juicy. Add pasta water to sauce if it thickens too much. Avoid stirring meatballs too much while simmering to keep them intact.

Nutrition

Keywords: spaghetti, meatballs, classic recipe, homemade, tomato sauce, easy dinner, family meal, comfort food

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