Serve this comfort food classic up for a Sunday dinner, or whip it up on a weeknight to make your regular day feel special. Lately, we’ve been hooked on Italian-American food. We’re binge watching the Soprano’s, and seeing Tony chow down has really stirred up some cravings. From Sausage and Peppers to American Goulash, we just can’t get enough these days. But if I had to pick one single dish that epitomizes the cuisine, I would say Spaghetti and Meatballs! Though my Italian blood is only speculated, this is something I grew up on, and it was always a favorite. My mom used to simmer a big pot of meatballs in tomato sauce often, and when combined with those oh-so-fun spaghetti noodles, it was always a treat the whole family enjoyed with gusto. In keeping with tradition, we even fed our son, Noah, spaghetti for his first taste of real food. Just like his dad, he took to it right off the bat.
Ingredient Notes
Ground meat – I like to use an equal mix of ground beef and ground pork. Ground lamb or veal can also go into the mix. If you’re limiting red meat, you can use ground chicken or turkey, but avoid anything leaner than 90/10, or your meatballs will be too dry. Marinara sauce – We often make a double batch of our Homemade Marinara Sauce and keep a couple of jars in the freezer. You can also follow the same sauce recipe here after removing the meatballs. Reduce the amount of olive oil to 2 Tbsp, then add the meatballs into the sauce after it simmers 5-10 minutes. If using jarred sauce, my favorite is Botticelli. Gluten-free options – If you’re avoiding gluten, use gluten-free pasta. In place of the breadcrumbs in the meatballs, you can use rolled oats or cooked rice.
Easy Spaghetti and Meatballs Recipe
- Form the meatballs: Combine all meatball ingredients in a large bowl. Blend by hand until just mixed. Form into 1.5-2 inch meatballs. We like them on the larger size, but whatever your preference they should be equal sized.
- Sear the meatballs: In a large skillet or dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium high heat. Add meatballs and brown on all sides. Do not overcrowd, work in batches if necessary. Remove browned meatballs to a plate.
- Add the sauce and simmer: Add marinara sauce into the pan, and stir to deglaze. Bring to a simmer, then add meatballs back in. Cover and simmer for at least 30 minutes. If making the sauce from scratch, simmer for 10 minutes before adding the meatballs. After simmering, remove lid and cook till sauce has thickened to your liking.
- Cook the pasta: While the sauce is simmering, bring a large pot of salted water (approximately 1 tsp salt per quart of water) to a boil. Cook spaghetti according to package to al dente.
- Finish the dish: Mix the pasta in with all of the sauce and meatballs, or mix only 1-2 cups of sauce with the pasta, then serve remaining sauce and meatballs on top of the pasta in individual servings. Top with freshly grated parmesan cheese.
What to Serve with Spaghetti and Meatballs
I will happily chow down on a big ol’ bowl of spaghetti and meatballs all on its own. That being said, it’s great with a side of crusty bread. Try our easy No Knead Bread. For salad pairings, think Caesar Salad, Wedge Salad or Antipasto Salad.
Make Ahead, Leftovers and Storage
You can easily make the meatballs, or the meatball sauce, ahead of time. It’s gets even better as the flavors mingle. Refrigerate in an airtight container for 3-4 days, or freeze for up to 3 months. If you plan on having leftovers, I recommend only mixing a cup or two of the sauce in with the pasta and storing it separately. If all is completely mixed together, the spaghetti can absorb a lot of the sauce, resulting in a drier dish.
More Great Pasta Recipes
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Make the whole family happy by cooking up a huge batch of our spaghetti and meatballs. Tony Soprano would be proud! Save or pin this recipe so you always know where to find it. While you’re here, check out our collection of favorite Meatball Recipes. And be sure to subscribe to GypsyPlate, we’re always cooking up new recipes for you.
Spaghetti and Meatballs, in our Gypsy Bowl… enjoy!
