What could be more Italian than Spaghetti and Meatballs? It’s a true Italian Classic and will easily become one of your family’s favorite meals.
One of the great joys of life is eating what we want when we want it. And worrying about the consequences shouldn’t be in the decision-making process.
My wife and I both love good Italian food and something as basic as Spaghetti and Meatballs is one of our favorites. But every now and then I get heartburn (agita as we say in Italiano) from the acid in the tomato sauce. I have found that using tomatoes from the San Marzano region of Italy are less acidic and don’t cause the number of problems that other tomatoes do.
How to Make Spaghetti and Meatballs
One dish that should be in everyone’s repertoire is spaghetti and meatballs. And even if you don’t like meatballs (gasp) you can still learn to make homemade tomato sauce using my easy to make recipe.
Tomato Sauce Mise en Place
Let’s start by gathering our ingredients for our tomato sauce. There are just a few ingredients and whether you want to make a quick marinara or a rich simmered tomato sauce the ingredients stay the same.
*Chef Dennis Cooking Tip*
Buy a basil plant at your local grocery store. That way you can pick the leaves as you need and they won’t wilt in your refrigerator waiting to be used or thrown out.
Italian Meatball Mise en Place
The ingredients for making Italian meatballs are pretty basic. I used an equal combination of pork and beef, but you can always substitute ground turkey or chicken if you like. I also suggest using bread instead of breadcrumbs to make your meatballs.
Place all your ingredients into a mixing bowl.
After combining all the ingredients, cover the bowl with plastic and place in the refrigerator for one hour.
*Chef Dennis Cooking Tip*
Do not over mix the meatball mixture. If you do your meatballs will be tough.
Roll your meatballs out, closing up the gaps making the outside of the meatball as smooth as possible.
Getting a crust on the outside of the meatball is your goal. This means leaving it alone for 1-2 minutes, letting it get nicely browned. Slip a spatula underneath each meatball to loosen them, then turn them to another side to brown. Try to get 3-4 turns per meatball, and be careful not to break them up!
Once they browned, gently place the meatballs into your pot of tomato sauce to finish cooking (at least one hour).
Then all that’s left to do is cook your pasta and serve up this delicious classic Italian dish!
More Recipes You’ll Love!
- Pasta alla Caponata
- Classic Fettuccine Alfredo
- Lobster fra Diavolo Bianco
- Spaghetti Fresca with Crabmeat
Spaghetti and Meatballs
Ingredients
Meatballs
- 1 cup stale Italian bread
- ½ cup milk
- ½ small onion fine dice
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 pound ground pork
- 2 eggs
- ¼ bunch Italian parsley chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 2 teaspoons sea salt
- 1 ½ teaspoons ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- ¼ cup grated Romano cheese
- 2 tablespoons olive oil to fry meatballs
Tomato Sauce
- 2 cloves fresh garlic chopped
- 56 ounces Crushed Tomato San Marzano
- 1 bunch fresh basil
- ½ onion finely diced
- ¼ cup Olive Oil
- 2 teaspoons sugar
- Sea Salt and Pepper to taste
- 2 pounds spaghetti I used De Cecco
Instructions
Meatballs
- Soak bread in milk in a small bowl for 20 minutes.
- Mix beef and pork together in a large bowl. Stir onions, bread mixture, eggs, parsley, garlic, salt, black pepper,dried basil, and Romano cheese into meat mixture with a rubber spatula until combined. Cover and refrigerate for about one hour.
- Using wet hands, form meat mixture into balls about 1 ½ inches in diameter.
- Heat about ¼-inch of oil in a skillet over medium heat. Fry the meatballs until they are browned on all sides and cooked through, about 15 minutes.
Tomato Sauce
- In a large skillet or small sauce pot, sauté diced onion and chopped garlic in olive oil until onions are translucent, do not allow them to burn!
- Add crushed tomatoes, rinse cans with just a little water and add to the sauce (if crushed tomatoes are not available use whole tomatoes and crush by hand or with an immersion blender).
- add chopped basil, sugar, sea salt and black pepper to taste (don’t over season you can always add more later).
- After your sauce has reached a boil, reduce the heat to low, a simmer for 15-20 minutes for classical Marinara / simmer for 1-3 hours for a rich hearty Tomato Sauce.
Pasta
- Cook pasta. Follow instructions on box.**Unless you have a large enough pot to cook both pounds at once cook them 1 pound at a time.
Jenny Lendrum
I am trying this recipe out for my son’s birthday next week. A huge fan of your recipes Chef Dennis and I am sure this again will be another great hit with the family. thankyou again for opening up my cooking skills with such wonderful recipes.
Chef Dennis Littley
you’re very welcome Jenny, I hope your son enjoys his birthday dinner!
Ann
Made your meat balls for my husband last night. Said they were the best meat balls he ever ate. And he is very picky. Thanks for the recipe.
Chef Dennis Littley
You’re very welcome Ann, I’m happy to hear your husband enjoyed the meatballs!
Amy
Can’t go wrong with this dish! A family favourite.
Chloe
I love a good comforting classic, delicious!
Jamie
Can’t have spaghetti without meatballs, these are delicious!
Lindsay
These are mouthwatering and such a favorite!!
Laura Lynch
The meatballs really make this dish. They’re so full of flavor.
Andréa Janssen
This is a winning recipe in my house. Certainly going to prepare it more often!
Linda
You got me at meatballs! Like you, I enjoy eating whatever I want and deal with the consequences later; but let’s forget about the consequences when it comes to this spaghetti and meatballs. And look how juicy the meatballs are!
Jo
Hello, do you put the 2 tbs olive in meat mixture and do you finely dice onion? Thanks, jo
Chef Dennis Littley
sorry for the confusion, the oil is to fry the meatballs and yes the onions are finely diced.
FOODHEAL
I like that you made meatballs from scratch! I am sure this spaghetti is super delicious
Courtneu
These were amazing! The whole family loved these meatballs. Thank you!
Marilyn Lorenzo
My search is over-this is the perfect meatball and spaghetti recipe! I especially appreciated all the preparation tips that were provided in the introductory article. My Italian husband could not stop raving about how delicious it was-and he is very particular about Italian food. I am looking forward to trying other recipes from this website.
Ann W
Hi! I also love spaghetti and meatballs. I tried your sauce and not only did I love it, it was a huge hit from son who absolutely dislikes red sauce. My question: Dear Chef Dennis, I refuse to cook with ground beef since 1990, using ground turkey instead. If it must taste like beef I use package onion soup mix (yes, with all the bad stuffs) for meatloaf and meatballs. How wou YOU adjust your glorious meatball recipe accordingly, cutting recipe in half using 1 pound of ground turkey and the forbiden package onion soup mix?
Chef Dennis Littley
hi Ann
I’m happy to hear that your son enjoyed the sauce! As for the meatballs, turkey meatballs are great and it all comes to how you season them. It sounds like you have a good start on seasoning and giving them time to soak up flavor in the sauce will also help the flavors. If you’re use to turkey meatballs then I don’t see a problem. Maybe make a few beef ones for your son, or mix them half and half and there is also the impossible burger meat, if you’re looking to stay away from beef.
Have you ever tried ground chicken? It’s a bit messier to work with, but I like the texture and flavor more than ground turkey.
I think a bit of experimentation on your part will help you come up with a meatball that you’re happy with. Have fun making them and serve up meatball subs for dinner with your results.
Pamela Frost
My favorite meal is spaghetti and meatballs. Always has been since I was a kid. I think the idea of crating a hard crust on the meatballs first is key to making them a better meatball!
Joy
Oh yum that looks like a hearty, tasty meal! I will definitely be trying out your recipe. I can’t guarantee that it will be as good as yours though lol.
LuciWest
It’s all about the homemade aspect when it comes to good pasta dishes. This seems to have that in spades. Thank you for all the detailed steps with photos.
Lisa
This is a classic Italian dish at its finest. We’ve not made it yet, despite living in Italy (!), but i’ll speak to my mother-in-law and see if we can make this together!
Rosey
I’ve never really thought about it that way, but we are very fortunate. The spaghetti and meatballs look delicious.
Lyosha
the recipe definitely looks classic and very balanced which only makes it better! haven’t had meatball and spaghetti for ages! need to cook it
Catherine Santiago Jose
Spaghetti meatballs or not it is still my kids favorite and no other food can beat that. You have a great recipe and I will definitely make this for my kids.
Chad
I love meatballs spaghetti!!! I mean who doesn’t love a good spaghetti!!! I can’t wait to make this one, can’t wait.
Catherine
Looks and sounds delicious, Dennis! I’d love to try these…a classic meal you can never go wrong with!
Gilda Campos
Thank you for this delicious recipe. I’m sure my family will love it! This weekend we will be cooking it.
Whitney Morrow
one of my favorite foods! I need to make these this weekend!
Kumamonjeng
Glad that beside meatballs you also have other recipes such as Pasta alla Caponata, Classic Fettuccine Alfredo
Lobster fra Diavolo Bianco,Spaghetti Fresca with Crabmeat. I would still prefer the crabmeat or seafood. Thanks for all the great recipe. By the way, hope you enjoy your cruise recently. 🙂
Rhonda Albom
We tend to make our spaghetti with a thick meat sauce, but this week I think we will try your meatball recipe. It sounds wonderful. I love the video, it’s perfect for an average cook like me.
Yeah Lifestyle
A super classic recipe indeed and I love that you have used 2 meats as well as added herbs in your meatball. I have made this before, but I pan friend the meatballs, then oven baked it and then just added it into the dish in the end and I found my meatball to be dry, would let it cook in the sauce next time.
Shannon Gurnee
My kids love Spaghetti with Meatballs. I definitely want to try this recipe! Thanks for sharing.
Stephanie Parrell
mmm this looks like a wonderful family meal. Great with a glass of wine too!
rika
I love classic Italian recipes! My kids always order Spaghetti and meatballs every time we dine at restaurants! You always make great food!
Lynndee
I love pasta and spaghetti and meatballs are one of my favorites. I would love to try your recipe one day. It looks absolutely delicious!
Cherri Megasko
For the last few decades, I’ve tended to snub spaghetti in favor of more robust pastas. But I do like angel hair, and I think I might just give your recipe a try! Thanks.
Beth
I’ll have to try your sauce recipe. Usually, we buy sauce in a jar and I never really like it. My sister says if I would like spaghetti if I had a good sauce.
Karen
Yum, yum and yum! Spaghetti and meatballs is about my fave dish, so I am drooling reading this! Great idea about the basil plant! I’ll do that next time at the grocery store!
Tim B
My daughter LOVES spaghetti! When we make it at home normally use meat sauce instead of including meatballs. She always get meatballs when ordering spaghetti at restaurants. Will have to try out this meatball recipe and see how she likes them next time cooking at home!
Gervin Khan
This looks yummy and very delicious. We can never go wrong with spaghetti and you add our all time favorite meat balls, it will definitely be an outstanding recipe.
Kathy
This recipe does look amazing. My family loves having spaghetti and meatballs. It’s one of our favorite dishes.
Brandy
It’s like you just knew I needed a new recipe to try when I do spaghetti and meatballs for dinner. I’ll be trying your recipe out for sure.
Sarah Bailey
Now this sounds like an absolutely delicious meal. I mean who doesn’t love spaghetti and meatballs and I most definitely need to give it a try for myself!
Laura Dove
Spaghetti meatballs is my all time favourite dish! I just love it and love trying other peoples recipes of the same dish. I’m going to try this!
Kita Bryant
I use to make my sauce from scratch but I have gotten really really lazy and I need to do better. I love spaghetti and can’t wait to make this one
Amber Myers
I just love spaghetti. We have it in the house often since it’s a big hit. I’ll have to try your version!
Pam Wattenbarger
Spaghetti and meatballs is a favorite in our family. It is something that I always know the kids will eat. I can’t wait to try your version.
Terri Steffes
I adore making meatballs and I too buy a basil plant during the winter months. We keep it and our rosemary downstairs and we love having fresh herbs in the winter!
Candy
I like to make a big batch of meatballs and freeze them. Saves me time later. Cheap and delicious meal serves a bunch
Tamara Davidson
Sounds comforting, nice and family. Thank you for sharing.
Chef Dennis Littley
you are very welcome!
John
Great recipe however I sauté the onion and garlic as opposed to raw I feel it gives the meatball more depth /flavor
Tosha
Always wanted to try a hood old fashioned spaghetti. I know this will be a family favorite.
Chef Dennis Littley
I hope you enjoy it as much as we do!
Tosha
Oh how yummy this old fashioned spaghetti looks! I wish I wasn’t on a low carb diet right now but when I’m done I am so trying this recipe.
Chef Dennis Littley
I know what you mean, I need to cut back the carbs too, but its so hard with dishes like this!
April
There’s nothing better than spaghetti and meatballs! It’s one of my kids favorite dishes and so easy to make
Trang Trang
I am a huge fan of meatball. I’ll try out you recipe. Thanks for sharing
Ridhima
This looks amazing! Perfect comfort food 🙂
Aitza B
Those meatballs look so freaking yummy. I bet they would go great with rice too.
Chef Dennis Littley
They would be great with Rice!
Holly Lasha
Oh, this looks super yummy. I will definitely have to try this. I love trying new recipes!!
Chef Dennis Littley
Thanks Holly, I hope you enjoy it!
Rachel
I am going to make these meatballs. I love good meatballs on my pasta. I also love my heartburn medicine. 🙂
GiGi Eats
Serious COMFORT FOOD right here! When I could eat spaghetti I was ALL ABOUT just plain, but now that I am older – I would totally want these balls paired with it!
Larry
Looks delicious Chef
Chef Dennis Littley
Thanks Larry, nothing beats a good plate of spaghetti and meatballs.
Helene
We make the meatballs almost exactly this way in Greece too. I love eating them with spaghetti or rice and a fresh Greek salad!
Helene
Chef Dennis Littley
thank you Helene, they would be great with rice and a salad!
Carol Reyes
Your recipe looks amazing! Although I wonder if I can substitute the ground beef and pork with salmon? or tofu? I dont eat meat and I wonder if there’s a way to get around it because I really want to try your recipe! 🙂
Chef Dennis Littley
you could absolutely use salmon Carol. I haven’t worked much with tofu, but it would probably work too.
Stephanie
Oh my gosh, this sounds delicious! I never thought of using bread rather than breadcrumbs, I’ll have to try that next time. And the only time I ever had heartburn was during pregnancy but it was horrible! Of course, being pregnant, I couldn’t take much for it. I’m glad you’ve found something that works for you.
Chef Dennis Littley
sometimes it’s the simplest things that make the biggest difference