5.0 from 18 votes
Olive Garden Spaghetti and Meatballs
This copycat recipe delivers tender beef meatballs and a flavorful marinara sauce over perfectly cooked spaghetti for a memorable family meal.
Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Additional Time
30 mins
Total Time
1 hr 30 mins
Servings: 4
Calories: 1029 kcal
Course:
Main Course
Cuisine:
Italian
Ingredients
Meatballs
- 1 pound ground chuck
- ½ cup plain breadcrumbs
- ¼ cup milk
- 1 egg beaten
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon dried parsley
- ¼ teaspoon red chili flakes
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon granulated garlic
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
Marinara Sauce
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic thick sliced
- 28 ounces canned tomato puree
- 28 ounces canned diced tomatoes
- 1½ teaspoons Italian seasoning blend
- ½ teaspoon dried basil
- ¼ teaspoon red chili flakes
- 2 teaspoons salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon sugar if needed
Spaghetti
- 1 box dry spaghetti
Serving
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, combine all the ingredients for the meatballs and gently mix until all is combined. Cover and refrigerate the mixture for at least 30 minutes.
- Meanwhile, to make the marinara sauce, add the olive oil to a large stainless-steel pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. When the oil is hot, add the sliced garlic. Cook until the garlic becomes soft, slightly translucent, and very fragrant. Remove the garlic from the pot.
- Add both cans of tomatoes, the Italian seasoning, dried basil, red chili flakes, salt, and ground black pepper and stir. Reduce the heat to low, place a lid on the pot, and simmer for 25 to 30 minutes. Taste the sauce. If it is too acidic, add ½ tablespoon of sugar. Taste it again, and add the remaining sugar if necessary.
- While the sauce is simmering, return to the meatballs: Preheat the oven to 425°F, line a rimmed baking sheet with foil, and spray the foil with non-stick spray.
- Remove the meat mixture from the refrigerator. Form the mixture into 1½-inch balls and place them on a baking sheet. Bake the meatballs for 10 to 15 minutes, or until they are browned and cooked through.
- While the meatballs are cooking, prepare the spaghetti according to the package directions.
- To serve, add the desired amount of pasta to a plate, spoon over the sauce, and top with meatballs. Sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese and chopped parsley.
Cup of Yum
Nutrition Information
Calories
1029kcal
(51%)
Carbohydrates
127g
(42%)
Protein
47g
(94%)
Fat
38g
(58%)
Saturated Fat
13g
(65%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
3g
Monounsaturated Fat
17g
Trans Fat
1g
Cholesterol
134mg
(45%)
Sodium
2511mg
(105%)
Potassium
1926mg
(55%)
Fiber
11g
(44%)
Sugar
22g
(44%)
Vitamin A
1612IU
(32%)
Vitamin C
41mg
(46%)
Calcium
324mg
(32%)
Iron
11mg
(61%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 4Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 1029
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 1029kcal | 51% |
| Carbohydrates | 127g | 42% |
| Protein | 47g | 94% |
| Fat | 38g | 58% |
| Saturated Fat | 13g | 65% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 3g | 18% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 17g | 85% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 134mg | 45% |
| Sodium | 2511mg | 105% |
| Potassium | 1926mg | 41% |
| Fiber | 11g | 44% |
| Sugar | 22g | 44% |
| Vitamin A | 1612IU | 32% |
| Vitamin C | 41mg | 46% |
| Calcium | 324mg | 32% |
| Iron | 11mg | 61% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.