Homemade Spaghetti and Meatballs
User Reviews
5
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Prep Time
40 mins
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Cook Time
6 hrs
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Total Time
6 hrs 40 mins
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Servings
12
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Calories
355 kcal
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Course
Main Course
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Cuisine
Italian
Homemade Spaghetti and Meatballs
Description
Homemade Spaghetti and Meatballs features a tomato-based sauce made by slowly simmering crushed and diced tomatoes with aromatics like onions, garlic, oregano, and bay leaves. The addition of pre-cooked meatballs and Italian sausage pieces allows the meat flavors to infuse the sauce during the several-hour simmer, creating a rich and thick texture. Canned mushrooms bring an extra layer of earthiness and texture without overwhelming the other components.
Cooking the sauce at very low heat with the lid slightly ajar encourages gentle thickening and flavor melding while preventing burning. Serving this sauce over freshly cooked spaghetti creates a classic Italian-American dish suitable for comforting family meals.
The notes recommend baking and slicing the sausage before adding it to the sauce and adjusting garlic quantity according to taste and clove size for balanced flavor. This recipe yields a large amount of sauce perfect for a family meal or leftovers.
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 yellow onion chopped *see notes, medium
- 4-6 cloves garlic , pressed or finely minced *see notes
- 84 ounces crushed tomatoes
- 28 ounces diced tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons oregano minced, fresh
- 2 teaspoon black pepper ground
- 4 bay leaf
- 1-2 pounds meatball cooked
- 1 pound Italian sausage , cooked and cut into bite-size pieces*
- 14 ounces mushroom drained, canned
Instructions
- In a large Dutch oven or stock pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onions and garlic, sauteing until translucent.
- Add the crushed tomatoes and diced tomatoes, juice and all. Everything that is in the can.
- Stir in the oregano, ground black pepper and bay leaves. Add the meatballs, sausage and mushrooms.
- Lower to the least amount of heat possible. Cover with the lid ajar for steam to release.
- Simmer for 4-6 hours, stirring every so often to prevent scorching.
- When ready to serve, cook desired pasta.
- Remove and discard the bay leaves.
- Spoon over pasta and top with cheese or crushed red pepper flakes, if desired.
- If you've tried this recipe, come back and let us know how it was in the comments or ratings.
Notes
- Adjust garlic amount based on your preference and garlic clove size to control flavor intensity.
- For sausage preparation, bake at 350°F for about 25 minutes, then cool, slice into 1/2-inch pieces, and drain before adding to the sauce.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 12Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 355 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 355kcal | 18% |
| Carbohydrates | 20g | 7% |
| Protein | 16g | 32% |
| Fat | 25g | 38% |
| Saturated Fat | 8g | 40% |
| Cholesterol | 56mg | 19% |
| Sodium | 707mg | 29% |
| Potassium | 961mg | 20% |
| Fiber | 5g | 20% |
| Sugar | 11g | 22% |
| Vitamin A | 504IU | 10% |
| Vitamin C | 26mg | 29% |
| Calcium | 107mg | 11% |
| Iron | 4mg | 22% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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