Spaghetti and Meatballs Recipe
User Reviews
5
18 reviews
Excellent
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Prep Time
25 mins
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Cook Time
45 mins
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Total Time
1 hr 10 mins
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Servings
8 people
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Calories
665 kcal
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Course
Main Course
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Cuisine
Italian
Spaghetti and Meatballs Recipe
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This Spaghetti and Meatballs Recipe features a mixture of ground beef, pork, and Italian sausage seasoned with aromatic spices and combined with a panade made from egg, half and half, Worcestershire sauce, and crushed crackers. The meatballs are browned, dredged lightly in flour, and then cooked in marinara sauce served over spaghetti for a hearty classic pasta dish.
Description
The meatballs are carefully prepared using a blend of three meats to create a well-rounded flavor and tender texture. Aromatics such as sautéed onion and garlic are added, along with Parmesan cheese, parsley, Italian seasoning, mustard powder, and seasoning to enhance taste. A panade made with egg, half and half, Worcestershire sauce, and crushed Ritz crackers moistens the mixture, aiding tenderness.
After forming and chilling to firm, the meatballs are coated with flour to hold their shape during cooking, then browned in olive oil. They are simmered in marinara sauce, which melds flavors and keeps them moist. The sauce and meatballs are served atop al dente spaghetti and garnished with fresh parsley or basil and Parmesan.
Adjusting pasta quantity can provide a saucier or more balanced plate, and various meats can be swapped to preference. The dish also works well cooked in a crockpot for a convenient slow-cooked option, and using a quality marinara sauce contributes significantly to the overall flavor.
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Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons olive oil divided (1 and 3)
- ½ cup flour to dredge the meatballs
Meatballs
- ½ cup yellow onion finely diced
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 2 egg whisked
- ½ cup half and half can sub milk
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 ¼ cup Ritz crackers can sub Italian breadcrumbs, crushed
- ¼ cup Parmesan Cheese
- ¼ cup parsley roughly chopped, fresh
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon mustard powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 lb. ground beef 85% or 90% lean
- ½ lb. Italian sausage sweet or mild, ground
- ½ lb. ground pork
Spaghetti and Sauce
- 2 marinara sauce see notes, 28 oz. jars
- 1 lb. spaghetti
For Serving
- parsley or basil, fresh
- Parmesan Cheese
Instructions
Assemble and Brown the Meatballs
- Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onions and sauté for 4 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for 1 more minute. Remove and let cool.
- Combine the whisked eggs, half and half, and Worcestershire sauce in a large bowl. Add the crushed Ritz crackers and stir for 1-2 minutes. This is called a “panade” and will make the meatballs super flavorful and tender. Add Parmesan cheese, parsley, Italian seasoning, mustard powder, salt, pepper, and cooled onions/garlic and stir to combine.
- Add the ground beef, sausage, and pork and gently work the meat until evenly combined. (Don’t overwork the meat, this can make the meatballs tough.)
- Roll into 1 ½-inch meatballs. (Pro Tip: Coat your hands in a little olive oil to make rolling easier, the meat won’t stick to your hands as much.)
- Refrigerate for 10-15 minutes to firm up the meatballs. Then give them each one more roll to smooth them out.
- Add the flour on a large plate and roll each meatball in it to lightly coat the outside. This helps it stay together during cooking.
- Heat remaining 3 tablespoons olive oil over medium heat in the same pot that you cooked the onions in. Brown the meatballs in batches, leave plenty of space around them so that you can easily roll them to brown on each side. Brown for 1 ½ minutes per side, about 5-6 minutes total. Set aside on a plate once browned.
Simmer the Meatballs in Sauce
- Carefully wipe off any black bits that may be in the pot but leave the brown remnants as this will make the sauce more flavorful.
- Add the sauce to the pot. The sauce will thicken and reduce during cooking so I recommend adding about ¼ cup water as well so that the sauce doesn’t get overly thick. You can do this now or later as you judge the consistency.
- Add the meatballs. Let them simmer over medium heat for 30 minutes.
Cook the Pasta
- Bring a large pot of salted pasta water to a boil and cook the spaghetti according to package instructions. Drain and return to the warm pot. Ladle the spaghetti and meatballs over the spaghetti and use kitchen tongs to gently toss to combine.
- Garnish with fresh parsley/basil and serve with Parmesan cheese and cheesy garlic bread.
Notes
- Use a high-quality marinara sauce or prepare a homemade version for best flavor.
- Adjust the pasta amount if you prefer a saucier dish or to accommodate leftovers.
- The meat mixture can vary; ground beef, pork, sausage, or veal are all suitable choices.
- Dredging meatballs in flour helps them hold together while browning and cooking in sauce.
- The Worcestershire sauce and mustard powder add subtle flavor but can be omitted if needed.
- For a slow-cooked option, brown meatballs first then cook them in marinara sauce in a crockpot for several hours.
Nutrition Information
Show Details
Calories
665kcal
(33%)
Carbohydrates
63g
(21%)
Protein
41g
(82%)
Fat
28g
(43%)
Saturated Fat
10g
(50%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
4g
(24%)
Monounsaturated Fat
12g
(60%)
Trans Fat
1g
(50%)
Cholesterol
123mg
(41%)
Sodium
1777mg
(74%)
Potassium
1323mg
(28%)
Fiber
5g
(20%)
Sugar
11g
(22%)
Vitamin A
1133IU
(23%)
Vitamin C
19mg
(21%)
Calcium
140mg
(14%)
Iron
6mg
(33%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 8people
Amount Per Serving
Calories 665 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 665kcal | 33% |
| Carbohydrates | 63g | 21% |
| Protein | 41g | 82% |
| Fat | 28g | 43% |
| Saturated Fat | 10g | 50% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 4g | 24% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 12g | 60% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 123mg | 41% |
| Sodium | 1777mg | 74% |
| Potassium | 1323mg | 28% |
| Fiber | 5g | 20% |
| Sugar | 11g | 22% |
| Vitamin A | 1133IU | 23% |
| Vitamin C | 19mg | 21% |
| Calcium | 140mg | 14% |
| Iron | 6mg | 33% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
Genuine Reviews
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
18 reviews
Excellent
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