Favorite Spaghetti and Meatballs

Written by
Diana Rattray
Southern-cuisine expert and cookbook author Diana Rattray has created more than 5,000 recipes articles in her 20 years as a food writer.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Diana Rattray
Updated 12/05/19
Spaghetti and Meatballs
Carl Tremblay / Getty Images
  • Total: 70 mins
  • Prep: 25 mins
  • Cook: 45 mins
  • Yield: Serves 6
Nutritional Guidelines (per serving)
794 Calories
31g Fat
67g Carbs
64g Protein
See Full Nutritional Guidelines Hide Full Nutritional Guidelines
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: Serves 6
Amount per serving
Calories 794
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 31g 39%
Saturated Fat 11g 54%
Cholesterol 216mg 72%
Sodium 1188mg 52%
Total Carbohydrate 67g 24%
Dietary Fiber 7g 27%
Protein 64g
Calcium 314mg 24%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

Serve these meatballs in their well seasoned homemade tomato sauce over hot cooked spaghetti.

Ingredients

  • For the Meatballs:
  • 2 eggs
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 3 slices bread (crumbled)
  • 2 pounds lean ground beef
  • 1/2 cup onion (finely chopped)
  • 2 tablespoons parsley (chopped)
  • 1 clove garlic (smashed, minced)
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • For the Sauce and Pasta:
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1/2 cup onion (chopped)
  • 2 cloves garlic (smashed, minced)
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 1 teaspoon dried leaf oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried leaf basil
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 large (28 to 36 ounces total) can Italian tomatoes (crushed)
  • 2 (6 ounces each) cans tomato paste
  • 16 ounces thin spaghetti
  • 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese (grated)

Steps to Make It

Make the Meatballs

  1. Gather the ingredients. Preheat oven to at 450 F.

  2. In a medium bowl, beat eggs lightly; add milk and bread and let stand for about 5 minutes.

  3. Add ground beef, onion, parsley, garlic, salt, and pepper; mix gently until well blended.

  4. Shape into about 24 meatballs, about 1 1/2 inches in diameter.

  5. Place meatballs in a generously greased large shallow baking pan. Bake meatballs in preheated oven for 25 minutes.

Make the Sauce and Pasta

  1. Gather the ingredients.

  2. In a Dutch oven, in hot oil over medium heat, sauté onion until tender and just begins to turn golden.

  3. Add remaining sauce ingredients; bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 30 minutes.

  4. Taste and adjust seasoning, adding more salt, if necessary. Add meatballs; cover and simmer 50 to 60 minutes longer, stirring from time to time.

  5. Cook spaghetti according to package directions; drain.

  6. Serve spaghetti topped with meatballs in sauce; sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese. Enjoy!

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