In the realm of culinary delights, few dishes hold such timeless appeal as the classic combination of spaghetti and meatballs. This iconic Italian-American dish has captured the hearts and taste buds of generations, transcending borders and cultures to become a beloved staple in homes and restaurants worldwide. Whether enjoyed as a comforting family meal or savored in the ambiance of a bustling trattoria, the quest for the perfect spaghetti and meatballs recipe remains an eternal pursuit for both home cooks and culinary enthusiasts alike. It is a culinary symphony where the tender meatballs, simmering in a rich and flavorful sauce, harmoniously intertwine with perfectly cooked spaghetti, creating a symphony of textures and flavors that leave an indelible mark on the palate. Join us as we embark on a journey to discover the secrets behind crafting the ultimate 5-star spaghetti and meatballs, exploring the nuances of ingredient selection, cooking techniques, and the delicate balance of flavors that elevate this dish to culinary greatness.
Here are our top 12 tried and tested recipes!
SPAGHETTI & MEATBALLS
This spaghetti and meatball recipe is easy enough for a busy weeknight -- and it's a family favorite, too!
Provided by Jennifer Segal
Categories Dinner
Time 50m
Yield 4 to 6 (Makes 22 to 24 small meatballs)
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and set an oven rack in the middle position.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the egg, basil, parsley, oregano, salt, pepper, garlic and water. Add the meat, breadcrumbs and cheese and mix until just combined (your hands are the best tool). Do not overwork it.
- Roll the mixture into golf ball-sized meatballs and place on an ungreased baking sheet. Bake for about 10 minutes, then remove the baking sheet from oven and use a metal spatula to turn the meatballs (they will stick a bit but should release easily when you scrape under them with the spatula). Put the meatballs back in the oven and cook for another 10 minutes, until they are nicely browned and almost cooked through.
- In the meantime, bring the marinara sauce to a simmer in a large skillet. Taste it and adjust the seasoning if necessary (I usually add a healthy pinch of sugar and some freshly ground black pepper). Transfer the browned meatballs to the marinara sauce, leaving the fat behind. Cover loosely with a lid or foil and simmer for about 10 minutes, until the flavors marry and the meatballs are cooked through. Keep warm until ready to toss with pasta.
- While the meatballs are cooking, bring a large pot of well-salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook until al dente. Drain, then toss with the sauce and meatballs (you may find it easier to toss everything together in the pasta pot rather than the skillet; it depends on the sizes of pans you are using.). Serve topped with fresh basil and more grated cheese.
- Freezer-Friendly Instructions: The cooked meatballs can be frozen, in their sauce, for up to 3 months. When ready to serve, defrost overnight in the refrigerator and reheat on the stovetop until the meatballs are hot in the center.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 731, Fat 29 g, Carbohydrate 78 g, Protein 37 g, SaturatedFat 10 g, Sugar 11 g, Fiber 6 g, Sodium 897 mg, Cholesterol 116 mg
REAL MEATBALLS AND SPAGHETTI
For homemade Italian comfort, make Ina Garten's Real Meatballs and Spaghetti recipe from Barefoot Contessa on Food Network, starring veal, pork and beef.
Provided by Ina Garten
Categories main-dish
Time 2h
Yield 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 23
Steps:
- Place the ground meats, both bread crumbs, parsley, Parmesan, salt, pepper, nutmeg, egg, and 3/4 cup warm water in a bowl. Combine very lightly with a fork. Using your hands, lightly form the mixture into 2-inch meatballs. You will have 14 to 16 meatballs.
- Pour equal amounts of vegetable oil and olive oil into a large (12-inch) skillet to a depth of 1/4-inch. Heat the oil. Very carefully, in batches, place the meatballs in the oil and brown them well on all sides over medium-low heat, turning carefully with a spatula or a fork. This should take about 10 minutes for each batch. Don't crowd the meatballs. Remove the meatballs to a plate covered with paper towels. Discard the oil but don't clean the pan.
- For the sauce, heat the olive oil in the same pan. Add the onion and saute over medium heat until translucent, 5 to 10 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for 1 more minute. Add the wine and cook on high heat, scraping up all the brown bits in the pan, until almost all the liquid evaporates, about 3 minutes. Stir in the tomatoes, parsley, salt, and pepper.
- Return the meatballs to the sauce, cover, and simmer on the lowest heat for 25 to 30 minutes, until the meatballs are cooked through. Serve hot on cooked spaghetti and pass the grated Parmesan.
SPAGHETTI WITH ITALIAN MEATBALLS
Sharon Crider sends this hearty spaghetti dinner from Junction City, Kansas. "It's one of my family's favorite recipes," she writes. "We enjoy servings of the sauce with a variety of pasta."
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Dinner
Time 1h35m
Yield 10 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 21
Steps:
- In a large saucepan, cook onion in oil until tender. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Stir in the tomatoes, tomato paste, water, oregano, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 30 minutes. , Meanwhile, in a small bowl, soak bread in water for 5 minutes. Squeeze out excess liquid. In a large bowl, combine the eggs, cheese, garlic, basil, parsley, salt and bread. Crumble beef over mixture and mix well. Shape into 1-in. balls. , In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon oil over medium heat. In batches, brown meatballs, adding more oil as needed. Remove to paper towels to drain. Add meatballs to sauce; return to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 30 minutes or until meatballs are no longer pink. , Cook spaghetti according to package directions; drain. Serve with meatballs and sauce.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 385 calories, Fat 11g fat (3g saturated fat), Cholesterol 69mg cholesterol, Sodium 612mg sodium, Carbohydrate 49g carbohydrate (7g sugars, Fiber 4g fiber), Protein 21g protein.
JENN'S OUT OF THIS WORLD SPAGHETTI AND MEATBALLS
This authentic spaghetti and meatballs recipe is made with fresh oregano and parsley. Because the meatballs are cooked in the sauce, they are tender and savory.
Provided by JENNGOETZ
Categories World Cuisine Recipes European Italian
Time 1h15m
Yield 8
Number Of Ingredients 16
Steps:
- Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat, and cook the onion until lightly brown. Mix in 2 cloves garlic, and cook 1 minute. Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, water, sugar, 1/2 the oregano, and bay leaf. Season with salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, and simmer while preparing meatballs.
- In a bowl, mix the ground round, bread crumbs, remaining oregano, remaining garlic, parsley, eggs, and cheese. Season with salt and pepper. Roll into 1 inch balls, and drop into the sauce. Cook 40 minutes in the sauce, or until internal temperature of meatballs reaches a minimum of 160 degrees F (72 degrees C).
- Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil, and stir in the spaghetti. Cook 8 to 10 minutes, until al dente, and drain. Serve the meatballs and sauce over the cooked spaghetti.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 571.9 calories, Carbohydrate 80.1 g, Cholesterol 86.6 mg, Fat 17 g, Fiber 7.7 g, Protein 27.7 g, SaturatedFat 5 g, Sodium 1177.2 mg, Sugar 21.3 g
5 STAR SPAGHETTI & MEATBALLS
This came from a dear friend of mine's mother. She makes it for her family and the grown children always ask for take home containers.
Provided by Tugar357
Categories Sauces
Time 2h20m
Yield 8 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Brown the sausage in a medium pan.
- Strain the tomatoes and finely crush what's left into the sauce pan.
- Add the water and the meatballs and simmer for at least 2 hours; chill, then remove the fat as one layer.
- Reheat and serve over your favorite pasta or on hoagie buns for meatball subs-- freezes well.
EXCELLENT MEATBALLS
Provided by Anne Burrell
Categories main-dish
Time 1h23m
Yield 18 to 20 meatballs
Number Of Ingredients 20
Steps:
- Coat a large saute pan with olive oil, add the onions and bring to a medium-high heat. Season the onions generously with salt and cook for about 5 to 7 minutes. The onions should be very soft and aromatic but have no color. Add the garlic and the crushed red pepper and saute for another 1 to 2 minutes. Turn off heat and allow to cool.
- In a large bowl combine the meats, eggs, Parmigiano, parsley and bread crumbs. It works well to squish the mixture with your hands. Add the onion mixture and season generously with salt and squish some more. Add the water and do 1 final really good squish. The mixture should be quite wet. Test the seasoning of the mix by making a mini hamburger size patty and cooking it. The mixture should taste really good! If it doesn't it is probably missing salt. Add more. Add more anyway.
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- Shape the meat into desired size. Some people like 'em big some people like 'em small. I prefer meatballs slightly larger than a golf ball. Coat a large saute pan with olive oil and bring to a medium-high heat. Brown the meatballs on all sides. Place them on a cookie sheet and bake them in the preheated oven for about 15 minutes or until the meatballs are cooked all the way through. If using right away, add them to your big pot of marinara sauce. If not using right away, they can be frozen for later use. Serve with pasta and sauce or just eat them straight out of the pot! YUM!
- Coat a large saucepot with olive oil and add the pancetta. Bring the pot to a medium-high heat and cook the pancetta for 4 to 5 minutes. Add the onions, season generously with salt and stir to coat with olive oil. Cook the onions for 6 to 7 minutes stirring frequently. The onions should become very soft and aromatic but have no color. Add the garlic and cook for another 2 to 3 minutes stirring frequently.
- Pass the tomatoes through the food mill. Be sure to pass all of the pulp through the holes leaving only the stems and the seeds, and be sure to scrape the pulp off of the bottom of the food mill. That's all of the big money stuff! Add the tomatoes to the pot and rinse out 1 of the empty tomato cans with water and add that water to the pot (about 2 to 3 cups). Season generously with salt and TASTE IT!!!! Tomatoes take a lot of salt. Season in baby steps and taste every step of the way. Cook the sauce for 2 to 3 hours, stirring occasionally and tasting frequently.
- Use the sauce right away on pasta or for any other tomato sauce need. This sauce can also be cooled and stored in the refrigerator for a few days and freezes really well.
- Yield: 2 quarts
KITTENCAL'S ITALIAN MELT-IN-YOUR-MOUTH MEATBALLS
Cooking the meatballs in simmering pasta sauce will not only add so much extra flavor to the sauce the meatballs will be melt-in-your-mouth tender, you may of course oven-bake the meatballs for about 25 minutes, --- don't be afraid to add in more Parmesan cheese and a little more milk, there is no need to measure exactly, this recipe is pretty much foolproof, leftover cooked meatballs make a wonderful pizza topping just slice thinly and freeze until ready to use ----- these also make wonderful juicy burgers shaped into patties-- for more of my tried and true recipes check out my food blog at www.kittencalskitchen.com
Provided by Kittencalrecipezazz
Categories Meat
Time 50m
Yield 1 1/2 pounds
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Mix all ingredients together in a large bowl.
- Shape into small meatballs (at this point you can place on a jelly-roll/baking sheet and freeze to use later, or cover with plastic wrap refrigerate up to 24 hours before using).
- Drop the meatballs into simmering pasta sauce, do not stir for at least 20 minutes or you will risk breaking the meatballs.
- Continue cooking in the simmering sauce for another 20 minutes (depending on how fast your sauce is simmering 40 minutes total should fully cook the meatballs).
- After the 40 minutes cooking time continue cooking your sauce with the meatballs in for as long as desired.
- **note** you may also bake the meatballs at 350 degrees F for 25 minutes or until cooked through.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 1312.6, Fat 84.2, SaturatedFat 35, Cholesterol 469.4, Sodium 2615.7, Carbohydrate 25.1, Fiber 2.1, Sugar 2.1, Protein 107.2
ITALIAN SPAGHETTI SAUCE WITH MEATBALLS
This is a recipe I got from my mother years ago -- it's great.
Provided by Jeremy
Categories Side Dish Sauces and Condiments Recipes Sauce Recipes Pasta Sauce Recipes Tomato
Time 2h20m
Yield 6
Number Of Ingredients 17
Steps:
- In a large bowl, combine ground beef, bread crumbs, parsley, Parmesan, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, garlic powder and beaten egg. Mix well and form into 12 balls. Store, covered, in refrigerator until needed.
- In a large saucepan over medium heat, saute onion and garlic in olive oil until onion is translucent. Stir in tomatoes, salt, sugar and bay leaf. Cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer 90 minutes. Stir in tomato paste, basil, 1/2 teaspoon pepper and meatballs and simmer 30 minutes more. Serve.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 346.6 calories, Carbohydrate 23 g, Cholesterol 77.4 mg, Fat 21.2 g, Fiber 4.5 g, Protein 18.9 g, SaturatedFat 5.9 g, Sodium 1492.5 mg, Sugar 11.1 g
BEST SPAGHETTI AND MEATBALLS
One evening, we had unexpected company. Since I had the ingredients on hand, I made this spaghetti and meatballs recipe. Everyone raved! This classic recipe makes a big batch and is perfect for entertaining. -Mary Lou Koskella, Prescott, Arizona
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Dinner
Time 2h30m
Yield 16 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 21
Steps:
- In a Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onions; saute until softened. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Stir in tomato paste; cook 3-5 minutes. Add next 6 ingredients. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, covered, for 50 minutes., Combine the first 7 meatball ingredients. Add beef; mix lightly but thoroughly. Shape into 1-1/2-in. balls., In a large skillet, heat canola oil over medium heat. Add meatballs; brown in batches until no longer pink. Drain. Add to sauce; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, covered, until flavors are blended, about 1 hour, stirring occasionally. Serve with hot cooked spaghetti.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 519 calories, Fat 18g fat (6g saturated fat), Cholesterol 106mg cholesterol, Sodium 1043mg sodium, Carbohydrate 59g carbohydrate (8g sugars, Fiber 4g fiber), Protein 30g protein.
SIMPLE SPAGHETTI AND MEATBALLS RECIPE BY TASTY
Here's what you need: onion, crushed tomato, unsalted butter, salt, ground pork, ground beef, onion, garlic, shredded parmesan cheese, panko breadcrumbs, fresh parsley, worcestershire, egg, salt, black pepper, spaghetti, parmesan cheese
Provided by Nathan Ng
Categories Dinner
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 17
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 400˚F (200˚C).
- Add the crushed tomatoes, butter, onion, and salt to a pot and bring to a simmer over medium heat.
- Lower the heat and cook for 45 minutes, until the onions are soft and starting to break apart. Remove onion.
- In a bowl, mix the ground beef, ground pork, panko, Parmesan, egg, garlic, onion, Worcestershire, salt, pepper, and parsley until fully combined.
- Take a golf ball-sized handful of the meat mixture and roll it into a ball. Transfer to a baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining meat.
- Bake the meatballs for 16 minutes.
- Bring a pot of water to a boil, and cook the spaghetti according to the packaging instructions.
- Drain pasta and toss lightly in about a tablespoon of oil (optional).
- Pour the sauce over the pasta. Transfer the cooked meatballs and top with Parmesan.
- Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts : Calories 1583 calories, Carbohydrate 132 grams, Fat 75 grams, Fiber 10 grams, Protein 92 grams, Sugar 19 grams
EASY SPAGHETTI AND MEATBALLS
No pasta's more iconic than spaghetti and meatballs, and now, it's a breeze to make -- the meatballs simmer right in the sauce.
Provided by Martha Stewart
Categories Food & Cooking Ingredients Meat & Poultry Beef Recipes Ground Beef Recipes
Time 30m
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Set a large pot of salted water to boil. In a bowl, combine Parmesan, parsley, garlic, egg, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1 teaspoon pepper. Add beef and breadcrumbs; mix gently. Form into 16 balls.
- In a 5-quart Dutch oven or heavy pot, heat oil over medium. Add meatballs, and cook, turning occasionally, until browned, 8 to 10 minutes. Add tomatoes; bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer; cover partially, and cook, stirring occasionally, until meatballs are cooked through, 10 to 12 minutes.
- Meanwhile, cook pasta until al dente. Drain, and return to pot; add meatballs and sauce, and toss gently. Serve with Parmesan.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 678 g, Fat 20 g, Fiber 7 g, Protein 42 g
MARK'S SPAGHETTI AND MEATBALLS
Chef Mark Strausman's recipe calls for adding the pasta to the sauce for its final few minutes. This allows the spaghetti to soak up more flavor.
Provided by Martha Stewart
Categories Food & Cooking Ingredients Meat & Poultry Beef Recipes Ground Beef Recipes
Yield Serves 6 to 8
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- In a large saute pan, heat 2 teaspoons olive oil over medium heat. Add onion and garlic, and saute until translucent, 3 to 5 minutes. Place ground meats in a large mixing bowl. Remove onions from heat, and add to ground meats. Add egg white, egg yolks, Parmigiano-Reggiano, and breadcrumbs to bowl, and combine. Season with salt and pepper. Add the red-pepper flakes and oregano, and mix well to combine.
- Roll the ground-meat mixture into golf ballâ??sized meatballs. Place on a baking sheet covered with breadcrumbs, and roll. In a large skillet, heat 1/4 cup olive oil over medium heat. Add meatballs, and brown on all sides, 3 to 5 minutes. Remove meatballs from the pan, and transfer them to a baking sheet lined with paper towels. Discard remaining oil. Return meatballs to pan, and cover with 3 cups tomato sauce. Slowly simmer over medium heat, until meatballs are heated through, about 15 minutes.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add spaghetti, and cook until al dente, about 6 to 8 minutes, or according to package instructions. Drain, and add cooked spaghetti to the sauce mixture. Cook for an additional 2 minutes. Serve immediately.
Tips:
- Use fresh, high-quality ingredients. The better the ingredients, the better the meatballs will be.
- Don't overmix the meatball mixture. Overmixing will make the meatballs tough.
- Let the meatballs rest before cooking. This will help them hold their shape.
- Brown the meatballs in a hot skillet before simmering them in sauce. This will give them a nice crust and help keep them moist.
- Use a good quality spaghetti sauce. A homemade sauce is always best, but a good store-bought sauce can also be used.
- Serve the spaghetti and meatballs with grated Parmesan cheese and a side of crusty bread.
Conclusion:
Spaghetti and meatballs is a classic Italian dish that is easy to make and always a crowd-pleaser. With a few simple tips, you can make the best spaghetti and meatballs you've ever had. So next time you're looking for a quick and easy meal, give this recipe a try. You won't be disappointed!
Are you curently on diet or you just want to control your food's nutritions, ingredients? We will help you find recipes by cooking method, nutrition, ingredients...
Check it out »
You'll also love