This tasty Spaghetti and Meatballs recipe brings together tender, juicy, browned meatballs with an easy-to-make, flavor-packed, simple six-ingredient marinara that is so much better than jarred sauce.
Indulge in a classic Italian dish with this delicious spaghetti and meatballs recipe. Hearty meatballs and rich tomato sauce make for a perfect comfort food meal. Enjoy this classic pasta dish with a simple garden salad, Italian chopped salad, or garlic cheese bread.
Ingredient Notes with Substitutions
See the complete list of ingredients on the recipe card below.
- Meat: Italian sausage and ground beef (don’t go too lean on the ground beef).
- Breadcrumbs: Italian or homemade breadcrumbs. If using panko breadcrumbs, add ½ teaspoon of Italian seasoning to the meatball mixture.
- Oregano: If you don’t have oregano, use marjoram; it is less pungent, sweeter, and less earthy than oregano.
- Parmesan Cheese: Use the freshly grated cheese for the best flavor.
- Olive Oil: Extra virgin olive oil.
- Crushed Tomatoes: Use great quality, such as Muir Glen or Cento.
How to Make Spaghetti and Meatballs
This is a summary version; for the complete list of ingredients and instructions, please refer to the recipe card below.
- Combine the Italian sausage, ground beef, breadcrumbs, onion, garlic, salt, freshly ground black pepper, eggs, oregano, chopped parsley, and grated Parmesan Cheese.
- Roll the meatballs into golf-sized balls and place them on a baking sheet. Freeze for about 30 minutes.
- Bake the meatballs for about 25 minutes or until cooked through.
- While the meatballs bake, cook the spaghetti according to the package instructions and drain well.
- Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until soft. Reduce the heat to low and add the garlic, red pepper flakes, and black pepper.
- Add the crushed tomatoes and simmer. Add the meatballs to the marinara sauce.
Cook’s Tips For Success
- Mix the meat mixture gently, and only until combined. Overmixing will make the meatballs dense and dry.
- Use a 1½ tablespoon cookie scoop for uniform-sized meatballs. Lightly moisten your hands with cold water to make rolling meatballs easier.
- Pop the meatballs in the freezer for about 30 minutes to help keep them round while they bake.
- Use your favorite jarred marinara or tomato sauce to speed up the recipe on busy weeknights.
- If desired, you can cook the meatballs until browned in a large skillet, working in batches.
- Don’t overcook the spaghetti. For most recipes, cooking pasta slightly al dente is better for taste, digestion, and texture.
More Pasta Recipes
Spaghetti and Meatballs
This homemade Spaghetti and Meatballs recipe combines tender, juicy meatballs with a made-from-scratch six-ingredient marinara sauce.
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Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 883kcal
Ingredients
Meatballs
- 1 lb ground Italian Sausage
- 1 lb ground beef
- ¾ cup Italian breadcrumbs
- ⅓ cup minced onion
- 3 cloves minced garlic
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
- 2 large eggs
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- 3 tablespoons Italian parsley, finely chopped
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan Cheese
- 1 lb spaghetti noodles
Marinara Sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ medium onion, finely chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- ¼ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
- 1 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes
- Grated fresh Parmesan cheese, optional garnish
- Chopped fresh Italian parsley or basil
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
- Using a large bowl and your clean hands, gently combine the Italian sausage, ground beef, breadcrumbs, minced onion, minced garlic, eggs, salt, black pepper, oregano, chopped parsley, and grated Parmesan Cheese.
- Using a 1½-tablespoon scoop for uniform size, roll the meatballs and place them on a sheet pan with a little space between each meatball for warm air to flow. Bake for 25 minutes or until cooked through.
- While the meatballs are baking, bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook the spaghetti slightly al dente according to package directions and drain well.
- Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until soft, approximately 7 minutes. Reduce the heat to low and add the garlic, red pepper flakes, and black pepper; cook for 1 minute while stirring. Add the crushed tomatoes and simmer for 20 minutes.
- Add the baked meatballs to the marinara sauce and stir gently to combine. Simmer for 5 minutes. Top with freshly grated Parmesan Cheese and chopped fresh parsley.
Notes
- Store spaghetti and meatballs in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Reheat in the microwave at reduced power or on the stovetop over low heat. If at all possible, wait to add the Parmesan cheese after reheating. It can make for sticky pans to clean up.
- To freeze, first cool completely. Then transfer it to a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to three months. Thaw in the fridge overnight and reheat in the microwave at reduced power or on the stovetop over low heat.
Nutrition
Calories: 883kcal | Carbohydrates: 72g | Protein: 41g | Fat: 47g | Saturated Fat: 17g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 21g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 173mg | Sodium: 1173mg | Potassium: 692mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 378IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 169mg | Iron: 5mg
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Lavanda
The tips on freezing and reheating are a lifesaver for busy days. Cheers to you and this delicious twist on a classic!
Rose
Wonderful spaghetti and meatballs recipe! Everyone loved it. The meatballs were juciy and tender and the marinara sauce was spot on with plenty of fresh flavor and seasonings.
Susan
Your Spaghetti and Meatballs recipe sounds like a delicious symphony of flavors. The combination of tender, juicy homemade meatballs and a six-ingredient marinara has my taste buds tingling. And pairing it with a simple garden salad, Italian chopped salad, and garlic cheese bread? That’s a complete feast! Can’t wait to recreate this classic pasta dish and savor the delightful experience you’ve described. Thanks for sharing this culinary delight!
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Susan! I really hope that you enjoy the dish as much as we do! It is very tasty.
Brandy
This was such a simlpe and delicious spaghetti and meatballs recipe to whip up for the family. Everyone loved it. We will make it again.
Yeah Lifestyle
Spaghetti and meatballs is a favorite in our house! This is a really delicious recipe with tender meatballs and a great tasting sauce too.
Renee
This spaghetti and meatballs recipe is a firm favourite within our household. The homemade meatballs are the best. They are juicy, tender, and so full of flavor.
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Renee! So glad that you and your family liked the spaghetti and meatballs!
Stephanie
There is nothing like sitting down to the table with a bowl of homemade spaghetti and meatballs! This is one delish recipe which skips the jarred tomato sauce and replaces it with a simple to make sauce (that’s much better than store bought!).
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Stephanie! I am so glad that you liked it.
Sandra
This was a huge hit at my house! Thanks for the recipe!
Beth Pierce
Thanks Sandra, so glad that everyone liked it.
Erik
Such a satisfying dish! That is definitely a keeper.
Marigene
Looks delicious!