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Spaghetti and Meatballs
Appetizers and Entrées

Homemade Spaghetti and Meatballs

5 from 17 votes
Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with our Homemade Spaghetti and Meatballs Recipe. Tender Italian meatballs, made with a combination of lean ground beef and sweet Italian sausage, are simmered in a rich marinara sauce and served over perfectly cooked spaghetti. This classic dish is sure to become a family favorite!
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 8
Course: Entree, Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 696
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Meatballs (makes 22-23 meatballs):
  • 1 lb lean ground beef (7%-15% fat)
  • 1 lb Sweet Ground Italian sausage, casings removed
  • 3 slices slices white bread (crusts removed), diced or torn to pieces
  • ⅔ cup cold water
  • ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese, plus more to serve
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp sea salt
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • 1 large egg
  • ¾ cup all-purpose flour, to dredge meatballs
  • 3 tvsp olive oil to saute, or use vegetable oil
Sauce:
  • 1 medium yellow onion (1 cup chopped)
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 56 oz crushed tomatoes (from 2 - 28 oz cans)
  • Salt & pepper, to taste
  • 2 tbsp basil, finely minced
  • 2 bay leaves (optional)
Other Ingredients:
  • 1 lb spaghetti

Method
 

Make the Best Italian Meatballs:
  1. Combine bread pieces with 2/3 cup water and set aside for 5 minutes, then mash with a fork.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, add ground beef, Italian sausage, parmesan cheese, minced garlic, salt, pepper, egg, and mashed bread crumbs. Mix until well combined.
  3. Form into 1 1/2" meatballs and dredge/roll in flour, dusting off excess.
  4. Heat a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat with oil. Add meatballs in batches and sauté until browned on all sides (about 6 minutes total). Remove and set aside.
Make Easy Marinara Sauce:
  1. In the same skillet, sauté chopped onion until soft and golden (about 5 minutes). Add minced garlic and stir for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
  2. Stir in crushed tomatoes and bay leaves. Bring to a light boil.
  3. Add meatballs back into the pan with tomato sauce, partially cover, and simmer for 30 minutes, turning the meatballs occasionally.
  4. Five minutes before sauce is done, stir in chopped fresh basil and season with salt and pepper to taste.
Make Spaghetti and Meatballs:
  1. Cook spaghetti according to package instructions until al dente, then drain and return to the pot.
  2. Pour sauce and meatballs over spaghetti and toss gently to combine.
  3. Serve hot, garnished with parmesan cheese and fresh basil.

Notes

  • To ensure your meatballs turn out tender and juicy, soak the bread pieces in water before mixing them into the meat mixture. This helps keep the meatballs moist during cooking.
  • When combining the ingredients for the meatballs, mix them together gently just until everything is evenly distributed. Overworking the mixture can result in tough meatballs.