Nothing beats the comfort of homemade Spaghetti and Meatballs on a busy weeknight. I learned this recipe from my Italian grandmother, who taught me that the secret isn't fancy ingredients but taking time to brown the meatballs properly. The aroma alone brings my whole family running to the kitchen, and watching my kids twirl those long noodles never gets old. This classic Italian recipe delivers tender, juicy meatballs in rich tomato sauce that clings perfectly to every strand of pasta.
Why You'll Love This Classic Recipe
This traditional spaghetti and meatballs recipe brings restaurant-quality Italian flavors straight to your dinner table without the hefty price tag. My husband always says these homemade meatballs taste better than any fancy Italian restaurant we've tried! The recipe uses simple pantry ingredients you probably already have, and the meatballs freeze beautifully for quick weeknight dinners.
Kids absolutely love rolling the meatball mixture into perfect spheres, making this a fun family cooking project. Plus, the leftover sauce works perfectly for baked spaghetti and meatballs the next day, giving you two amazing meals from one cooking session.
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love This Classic Recipe
- What You'll Need
- How to Make Spaghetti and Meatballs
- Aliana's Pro Kitchen Tip
- Storage & Reheating Instructions
- Ingredient Substitutions & Variations
- What to Serve With Spaghetti and Meatballs
- FAQs About Making Perfect Meatballs
- More Italian Recipes You'll Love
- Related
- Pairing
- Classic Spaghetti and Meatballs
- More DINNER
What You'll Need
These pantry-friendly ingredients create the most tender, flavorful Italian meatballs that practically melt in your mouth alongside perfectly cooked spaghetti.
This classic Italian recipe is super easy - full steps are in the recipe card.
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef (80/20 blend)
- ½ lb ground pork
- 1 lb spaghetti pasta
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- ½ cup whole milk
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 medium onion, finely diced
- 2 cans (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Optional Extras
Fresh basil leaves for garnish, extra Parmesan for serving, or a pinch of red pepper flakes if your family likes a little heat.
How to Make Spaghetti and Meatballs
Prepare the Meatball Mixture
Combine ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs soaked in milk, egg, Parmesan, minced garlic, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. Mix gently with your hands until just combined, being careful not to overwork the meat which makes tough meatballs.
Shape Perfect Meatballs
Using clean hands, roll the mixture into golf ball-sized spheres, about 1.5 inches in diameter. Place them on a plate and let them rest for 10 minutes to help them hold their shape during cooking.
Brown the Meatballs
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Brown the meatballs on all sides, about 8-10 minutes total, turning carefully to maintain their round shape. They don't need to cook through completely at this stage.
Build the Sauce
In the same skillet with the meatball drippings, sauté diced onions until softened, about 3-4 minutes. Add crushed tomatoes, salt, pepper, and return the browned meatballs to the sauce.
How long should I simmer meatballs in sauce? Simmer the meatballs in sauce for 20-25 minutes, allowing them to finish cooking while absorbing all those rich Italian flavors.
Cook the Spaghetti
Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to boil and cook spaghetti according to package directions until al dente. Reserve ½ cup pasta water before draining to help bind the sauce if needed.
Combine and Serve
Toss the cooked spaghetti with a bit of the meatball sauce, then serve topped with the remaining meatballs and sauce. Garnish with fresh Parmesan and basil.
Aliana's Pro Kitchen Tip
The secret to incredibly tender meatballs lies in the milk-soaked breadcrumbs, which my grandmother called "panade." This mixture keeps the meatballs moist and prevents them from becoming dense hockey pucks.
Also, never press down on the meatballs while they're browning - let them develop that beautiful crust naturally.
I learned this the hard way when I first started cooking, and now my family requests these Italian meatballs at least twice a month!
Follow Aliana on Pinterest →Storage & Reheating Instructions
Store leftover meatballs and sauce in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months. For best results, reheat gently on the stovetop with a splash of water or broth to prevent the sauce from thickening too much.
Ingredient Substitutions & Variations
You can easily make this crockpot spaghetti and meatballs by transferring everything to your slow cooker after browning the meatballs. Cook on low for 4-6 hours for incredibly tender results. For instant pot spaghetti and meatballs, use the sauté function to brown, then pressure cook for 8 minutes with quick release.
What to Serve With Spaghetti and Meatballs
Our family loves serving this classic spaghetti and meatballs with warm garlic bread, a crisp Caesar salad, and roasted vegetables. A glass of Chianti or sparkling water with lemon rounds out this perfect Italian dinner that never disappoints.
FAQs About Making Perfect Meatballs
Can I make the meatballs ahead of time?
Yes! Shape the meatballs and refrigerate up to 24 hours before cooking, or freeze them for up to 3 months.
What's the best meat mixture for meatballs?
A combination of ground beef and pork creates the most flavorful, tender meatballs with perfect texture.
How do I prevent meatballs from falling apart?
Don't overmix the meat mixture, and let shaped meatballs rest before cooking to help them hold together.
Can I bake the meatballs instead of frying?
Absolutely! Bake at 400°F for 15-18 minutes, though you'll miss the rich flavor from browning in the skillet.
More Italian Recipes You'll Love
If you're craving more authentic Italian comfort food, my Creamy Chicken Alfredo feeds a crowd in 20 minutes, my homemade lasagna with ricotta is perfect for Sunday Dinner, and my Italian wedding soup warms hearts on cold days. These pasta recipes bring the same family-style satisfaction with simple techniques.
Tried this recipe? Tag me on Pinterest @AlianaRecipes - I'd love to see your twist on it!
Related
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with Spaghetti and Meatballs Recipe:
Classic Spaghetti and Meatballs
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Mix meats, soaked breadcrumbs, egg, cheese, and aromatics gently until just combined.
- Roll the mixture into golf-ball sized spheres and rest for 10 minutes to set the shape.
- Brown the meatballs in hot oil for 10 minutes until a crust forms on all sides.
- Sauté onions in the drippings then add tomatoes and seasonings to build the sauce base.
- Simmer the meatballs in the sauce for 25 minutes until cooked through and flavorful.
- Boil spaghetti in salted water until al dente while the sauce finishes cooking.
- Toss pasta with sauce and top with meatballs to serve immediately.
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