Description
A comforting family favorite that combines tender spaghetti with savory meatballs in a rich tomato sauce.
Ingredients
- Spaghetti: Fresh or dried
- Ground meat: Beef and pork blend or turkey for lighter version
- Breadcrumbs: Italian-style or crushed crackers for gluten-free
- Eggs: For binding or flax egg as vegan alternative
- Garlic: Fresh minced
- Onion: Chopped
- Tomato sauce: Quality marinara or crushed tomatoes
- Fresh herbs: Basil and parsley
- Cheese: Parmigiano-Reggiano for topping
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, combine ground meat, breadcrumbs, minced garlic, chopped onion, eggs, salt, and pepper. Mix until just combined.
- Form the mixture into medium-sized meatballs and place on a tray.
- For the sauce, heat olive oil in a skillet, add minced garlic and onion, sauté until translucent.
- Add tomato sauce, a pinch of sugar, salt, pepper, and herbs. Simmer for 10-15 minutes.
- Carefully place meatballs into the sauce, cover, and cook for 25-30 minutes.
- Cook spaghetti according to package instructions until al dente; reserve a cup of pasta water before draining.
- Toss spaghetti in the sauce, adding pasta water for creaminess.
- Plate spaghetti, top with meatballs, and add grated Parmigiano-Reggiano and fresh herbs before serving.
Notes
Let meatballs rest before cooking and simmer gently to keep them moist.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 500mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: spaghetti, meatballs, Italian cuisine, family recipe, comfort food