With the holiday season approaching, it's time to start thinking about festive meals to share with family and friends. What could be more iconic than a steaming plate of spaghetti and meatballs? This classic dish is always a crowd-pleaser, and it's easy to see why. The combination of tender spaghetti, savory meatballs, and rich tomato sauce is simply irresistible. But not all spaghetti and meatballs recipes are created equal. If you're looking for the best of the best, you've come to the right place. In this article, we'll share the secrets to making the most delicious festive spaghetti and meatballs you've ever tasted. From choosing the right ingredients to perfecting the cooking technique, we'll guide you every step of the way. So gather your loved ones, set the table, and prepare to feast on the ultimate holiday comfort food.
Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!
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.
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
BEST SPAGHETTI 'N' MEATBALLS
My mom's Italian friend taught her the secret to this saucy spaghetti dish. Our whole family is grateful! Mom gave me this recipe as a wedding present. It's the best-tasting spaghetti ever...and the meatballs are so tender.
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Dinner
Time 2h10m
Yield 10 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 22
Steps:
- In a large bowl, combine eggs, bread crumbs, cheese, tomato juice, green pepper, onion and seasonings. Crumble sausage over mixture and mix well. Shape into 1-in. balls. In a skillet, brown meatballs over medium heat; drain., In a large saucepan, combine the first eight sauce ingredients. Add green pepper, onion and garlic. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 30-45 minutes or until thickened, stirring occasionally. Discard bay leaf., Add meatballs to sauce; simmer for 1 hour or until a thermometer reads 160°. Serve with spaghetti.
Nutrition Facts :
MOM'S SPAGHETTI AND MEATBALLS
Provided by Valerie Bertinelli
Categories main-dish
Time 2h15m
Yield 12 servings
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- Combine the beef, pork, eggs, breadcrumbs, dried oregano, grated garlic, Pecorino Romano, 1/2 teaspoon of the salt and pepper to taste in a large bowl. Using your hands, thoroughly mix the ingredients together until evenly incorporated. Roll into meatballs slightly larger than golf balls, setting them on baking sheets as you work.
- Heat the oil over medium heat in a large Dutch oven until it shimmers. Working in batches and taking care not to crowd the pan, saute the meatballs, turning frequently, until browned on all sides, about 5 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer from the pan back to the baking sheet.
- Reduce the heat to medium-low, add the onion to the pan, and saute, stirring occasionally, until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Add the sliced garlic, stir, and cook 1 minute more. Add the wine, increase the heat, and bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 2 minutes. Add the tomatoes, 4 of the basil leaves, the remaining 3/4 teaspoon salt and the meatballs along with any accumulated juices. Simmer, partially covered, until the flavors come together, about 1 hour 20 minutes. Taste and adjust the seasonings.
- Meanwhile, cook the spaghetti in two batches in boiling salted water according to package directions. Drain and serve with the meatballs and sauce ladled on top. Garnish with torn basil and freshly grated Pecorino-Romano.
TEST KITCHEN'S FAVORITE SPAGHETTI AND MEATBALLS
Swapping out some of the ground beef for chopped mushrooms is the secret behind the complex flavor of these meatballs. A quick blast in the broiler gives them a nice crust -- and the noncrisp parts soak up the delicious sauce.
Provided by Martha Stewart
Categories Food & Cooking Ingredients Meat & Poultry Beef Recipes Ground Beef Recipes
Time 1h10m
Number Of Ingredients 17
Steps:
- Red Sauce: Heat a straight-sided skillet over medium. Swirl in oil; add onion and 1 teaspoon salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until onion is soft and translucent, 7 to 9 minutes. Stir in garlic and red-pepper flakes; cook 30 seconds. Transfer one-third of onion mixture to a bowl and reserve for meatballs. Add tomatoes to skillet; bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, until reduced and thickened slightly, about 20 minutes.
- Meatballs: While sauce simmers, heat a large skillet over medium-high. Swirl in oil. Add mushrooms and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft and most of moisture has evaporated, 8 to 10 minutes. Transfer to bowl with reserved onion mixture; let cool slightly.
- Preheat broiler with rack 4 inches below heating element. Stir breadcrumbs and milk into mushroom mixture until milk is absorbed. Add cheese, parsley, oregano, egg, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Add beef and gently fold with your hands until evenly combined (don't overwork, or meatballs will be tough). Use an ice cream scoop, or roll heaping tablespoons between dampened palms, to form thirty 1 1/2-inch balls. Transfer to a rimmed baking sheet brushed with oil. Broil, undisturbed, until browned on top, about 5 minutes.
- Transfer meatballs to skillet with red sauce. Simmer, stirring gently, until just cooked through, about 5 minutes. Meanwhile, boil pasta in a large pot of generously salted water until al dente, about 2 minutes less than per package instructions. Drain pasta and return to pot; toss with 1 1/2 cups sauce. Serve, topped with meatballs, more sauce, cheese, red-pepper flakes, and parsley.
MAMA'S BEST EVER SPAGHETTI AND MOZZARELLA MEATBALLS
Baked homemade meatballs are served over hot spaghetti with lots of sauce and grated Parmesan cheese.
Provided by RAGÚ®
Categories Trusted Brands: Recipes and Tips Ragu®
Yield 6
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Lightly grease a large rimmed baking sheet with olive oil.
- Combine ground beef, bread crumbs, egg, mozzarella cheese, and garlic in a medium bowl. Use a 1/4 cup measure or ice cream scoop to portion into 12 to 13 meatballs. Place on prepared baking sheet.
- Baked until browned and cooked through, about 15 minutes.
- Bring the Ragu® Sauce to a simmer in a 12-inch skillet. Gently place the cooked meatballs into the sauce. Simmer 10 minutes.
- Ladle some of the sauce over hot pasta and toss to coat. Serve with more sauce and the meatballs with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 525.8 calories, Carbohydrate 58.4 g, Cholesterol 94.1 mg, Fat 17.9 g, Fiber 4.5 g, Protein 30.6 g, SaturatedFat 6.8 g, Sodium 1006 mg, Sugar 7.1 g
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
CLASSIC SPAGHETTI AND MEATBALLS
I can't claim to be Italian, but I sure did a lot of research when it came to tackling this classic Italian dish. In addition to tasting fabulous, this recipe is so easy to put together. It's great for making extra meatballs for leftovers and is accessible enough that anyone should be able to throw it together on a weeknight.
Provided by Kelsey Nixon
Categories main-dish
Time 1h50m
Yield 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 18
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Combine the cheese, breadcrumbs, milk and egg in a large mixing bowl until well mixed. Add the chuck and pork and mix to combine, working gently to avoid overworking the meat. Sprinkle with the salt and pepper. Shape into small golf ball-size meatballs and place on the lined baking sheet.
- Bake the meatballs until they are cooked through, about 15 minutes.
- Meanwhile, bring the Classic Tomato Basil Sauce to a simmer. Transfer the meatballs to the tomato sauce and toss to coat, allowing them to simmer for another 5 minutes. Meatballs can be held in the sauce until ready to serve.
- Cook the pasta according to package directions. Transfer the cooked pasta directly to the sauce, tossing to coat.
- Serve the spaghetti and meatballs topped with grated Parmesan and fresh basil.
- Cut an "X" in the bottom of each tomato and blanch in a large pot of boiling water 10 seconds. Immediately transfer the tomatoes with a slotted spoon to an ice bath to cool, then peel, seed and chop.
- Cook the garlic in the oil in a small, heavy pot over medium heat, stirring occasionally until golden, 3 to 5 minutes. Add the tomatoes and red pepper flakes, season with salt and pepper, and add the fresh basil. Cover and simmer 1 hour, stirring occasionally.
Tips:
- For a richer flavor, use a combination of ground beef and pork for the meatballs.
- Use a large skillet or Dutch oven to cook the meatballs so they have plenty of room to brown.
- Do not overcrowd the pan when cooking the meatballs. This will prevent them from browning evenly.
- To make the meatballs more tender, add a little bit of bread crumbs or oatmeal to the meat mixture.
- Use a variety of spices and herbs to flavor the meatballs. Some good options include garlic, onion, oregano, basil, and thyme.
- Simmer the meatballs in the sauce for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to develop.
- Serve the spaghetti and meatballs with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese and a side of crusty bread.
Conclusion:
Festive spaghetti and meatballs is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for a special occasion. The juicy meatballs, flavorful sauce, and al dente spaghetti come together to create a meal that is sure to please everyone. With a few simple tips, you can make this dish at home that will be just as good as anything you would find in a restaurant. So next time you are looking for a special meal to impress your friends and family, give this spaghetti and meatballs recipe a try.
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