A classic Italian-American dish consisting of spaghetti and savory meatballs in a rich marinara sauce.
Spaghetti and meatballs is one of those timeless meals that always hits the spot. Whether you are cooking for a family dinner, preparing something special for a loved one, or simply craving a hearty dish after a long day, this combination delivers every single time. It is warm, familiar, and packed with rich flavor that never goes out of style.
The charm of this dish lies in its simple ingredients and how perfectly they work together. The spaghetti provides the perfect base, soft and satisfying. The tomato sauce brings depth and warmth, often simmered with garlic, onions, and herbs to enhance the flavor. And the meatballs, tender on the inside and lightly crisp on the outside, add that savory richness that ties it all together.
There is something universally comforting about a bowl of spaghetti and meatballs. It feels like home. It invites you to slow down, take your time, and enjoy each bite. It is also one of those meals that is great for sharing, whether you are gathered around the table with friends or feeding a hungry family.
Another reason this dish stands out is how easy it is to make your own. You can use ground beef, pork, turkey, or a mix of meats for the meatballs. You can stick to a traditional tomato sauce or add your own twist with spices, veggies, or a splash of red wine. You can even make it vegetarian if you prefer. The options are endless, and no matter how you make it, the result is always comforting and satisfying.
Spaghetti and meatballs is more than just a meal. It is tradition, comfort, and connection served on a plate.
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs plain or seasoned
- 1/4 cup parmesan cheese grated
- 1 egg beaten
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 pound spaghetti
- 2 cups marinara sauce store-bought or homemade
- 2 tablespoons olive oil for frying
- 2 tablespoons basil chopped, for garnish, fresh
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, beaten egg, minced garlic, milk, salt, and black pepper. Mix until well combined.
- Form the mixture into meatballs, about 1-1.5 inches in diameter.
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the meatballs and cook until browned on all sides, about 8-10 minutes.
- Once browned, add the marinara sauce to the skillet. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 20 minutes, or until meatballs are cooked through.
- While the meatballs are cooking, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the spaghetti according to package instructions. Drain well.
- Serve the meatballs and sauce over the cooked spaghetti. Garnish with fresh basil and additional Parmesan cheese, if desired.
Easy and delicious, but I substituted ground turkey instead of beef. Still good! 🙂
This is like the best spaghetti ever! I can’t believe I made it myself!
So delicious 😋 Perfect for dinner!
I made this last night and my family loved it too! So good! 😍
Spaghetti and meatballs is just okay, honestly. I prefer penne.
Penne is great, but you gotta give spaghetti another shot! The sauce clings to it so well!
This recipe is amazing! My kids loved it! Definitely a keeper.
Way too salty for my taste, had to add more sauce to balance. Might try it again.
Do I really need the milk? I’m not sure it makes a diff.
You should keep the milk! It helps make the meatballs juicier. Don’t skip it!
Simple and straight to the point, nice! But I felt it needed more garlic.
I thought it was fine as it is, but I guess garlic lovers gotta have their way. 🤷♂️
More garlic is always better! I usually add 4-5 cloves. Makes it so much tastier!
Just spaghetti and meatballs? It’s Italian food, like pizza too maybe!
The sauce was too spicy for my taste. Maybe I should’ve used a different brand.
This is not real Italian food. You need a lot more herbs! 1 star.
Too hard to make, can’t cook at all 🤷♂️
I get that cooking can be tough, but this recipe’s not too hard! Maybe try it step by step? You got this! 👩🍳
This was alright, but my grandma makes the best meatballs. Never can compare.
This recipe is a game changer! My family loved it! 5 stars!!
Are you sure this is how to make meatballs? My grandma told me to add some Worcestershire sauce.
I’ve never tried adding Worcestershire sauce, but it sounds like a delicious idea! More flavor can’t hurt!
Nah, I don’t think that’s necessary. This recipe seems solid without it. Grandma might be stuck in the past!
I followed the steps but my meatballs fell apart. What did I do wrong?
Meatballs didn’t hold together. They fell apart while frying. What did I do wrong?
Maybe your meatballs were too big? Smaller ones might hold together better while frying.
It sounds like you might not have mixed the ingredients enough or used too much liquid. Try adding a bit more breadcrumbs next time!
Yummy! Can’t wait to make it again. My kids devoured it!