Perfect Meatballs and Spaghetti Recipe
This recipe features perfectly roasted meatballs served with tender spaghetti tossed in a rich, garlicky crushed tomato sauce. The meatballs are made with a blend of ground meat, breadcrumbs, and seasonings, then oven-roasted for a juicy interior and slightly crispy exterior. The pan sauce is flavoured with garlic, red pepper flakes, and parmesan, creating a comforting and classic Italian-inspired meal that is perfect for any night of the week.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
Meatballs
- 1 pound ground meat (beef, pork, turkey, or mixed)
- 1/2 cup panko-style breadcrumbs
- 1/3 cup milk (any kind)
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped parsley, plus more for garnish
- 2 tablespoons finely grated parmesan or pecorino romano cheese, plus more for serving
- 2 teaspoons coarse or kosher salt, divided
- Red pepper flakes and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 2 large eggs
- 3 garlic cloves, minced, divided
Sauce and Pasta
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes
- 1 pound dried spaghetti
Instructions
- Prepare the meatballs: In a large bowl, combine ground meat, panko breadcrumbs, milk, chopped parsley, grated parmesan, 1 teaspoon salt, pepper, onion powder, eggs, and one-third of the minced garlic. Use a fork or potato masher to mix everything evenly. With wet hands, shape the mixture into 2-inch meatballs (about 3 tablespoons each) and place them on a foil-lined baking sheet coated with nonstick spray.
- Roast the meatballs: Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C). Roast the meatballs on the prepared baking sheet for 12 minutes or until cooked through. To check doneness, cut one meatball in half to ensure there is no pink inside.
- Cook the spaghetti: Bring a large pot of well-salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook until one minute shy of tender (al dente). Reserve 1 cup of pasta cooking water before draining the spaghetti.
- Make the tomato sauce: In a deep sauté pan or wide saucepan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the remaining two-thirds of minced garlic and a pinch or two of red pepper flakes. Let it sizzle until the garlic is golden, about 30 seconds to 1 minute. Add the crushed tomatoes and season with the remaining 1 teaspoon of salt. Let the sauce simmer gently for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Simmer meatballs in sauce: Transfer the roasted meatballs into the simmering tomato sauce. Stir gently to coat them well. Reduce the heat to low, cover the pan, and let the meatballs simmer in the sauce for 10 minutes to meld flavors and ensure tenderness. If not serving immediately, remove from heat and keep covered.
- Toss spaghetti with sauce: Return the drained spaghetti to its empty cooking pot. Push the meatballs aside in the pan and ladle some sauce over the pasta. Add half of the reserved pasta water and cook over high heat for about 1 minute, tossing continuously. Add extra pasta water as needed to loosen the sauce and achieve a silky texture.
- Serve: Using tongs, transfer the sauced spaghetti into a large serving bowl, twirling slightly to create neat servings. Arrange the meatballs on top along with their sauce. Garnish with additional chopped parsley and grated parmesan cheese. Serve immediately for best flavor and texture.
Notes
- The choice of ground meat can be beef, pork, turkey, or a blend depending on your preference.
- Panko breadcrumbs contribute to a lighter meatball texture, but you can substitute with regular breadcrumbs.
- Using fresh parsley and freshly grated cheese enhances the overall flavor.
- Reserve pasta water is used to loosen and help the sauce cling to the spaghetti.
- Meatballs can be cooked fully in the oven and then simmered in the sauce to avoid overcooking.
- For a spicier sauce, increase the amount of red pepper flakes.
- Ensure the sauce simmers gently to avoid splattering and maintain a rich flavor.
Keywords: meatballs, spaghetti, Italian, pasta, tomato sauce, baked meatballs, comfort food
