🍝 Saucy, hearty, and packed with flavor! 🍅🧄
Juicy, tender meatballs simmered in a rich tomato sauce, served over perfectly cooked spaghetti—this is comfort food at its finest!
There’s something so satisfying about a big bowl of spaghetti & meatballs. Whether it’s a cozy weeknight dinner or a special meal for family and friends, this dish always brings people together.
And the best part? It’s easier to make than you think! Let’s get started.
🏆 Why You’ll Love This Recipe
✔ Melt-in-your-mouth meatballs – Packed with flavor, juicy, and tender.
✔ Rich, homemade tomato sauce – Simmered to perfection.
✔ Simple ingredients, big flavors – Nothing fancy, just pure deliciousness.
✔ Family-friendly – A meal everyone will love!
✔ Great for leftovers – Tastes even better the next day!
🍽️ Ingredients
For the Meatballs:
-
500 g ground pork
-
2 small onions, finely chopped
-
5 garlic cloves, minced
-
A handful of fresh parsley, chopped
-
5 tbsp breadcrumbs
-
1 tbsp sweet paprika
-
1 egg
-
1 tbsp salt (or to taste)
-
½ tbsp black pepper
-
100 g grated cheese (Parmesan or cheddar)
For Searing:
-
45–50 ml oil
-
½ onion, chopped
-
3 garlic cloves, minced
For the Tomato Sauce:
-
Leftover oil and onion from searing
-
2 large tomatoes, chopped
-
500 g tomato purée
-
250 ml water (adjust for consistency)
-
1 tbsp sugar
-
1 tbsp oregano
-
¾ tbsp basil
-
½ tbsp salt
-
¼ tbsp black pepper
For the Spaghetti:
-
3 liters of water
-
2–3 tbsp oil
-
1 tbsp salt
-
500 g spaghetti
-
1–1.5 tbsp oil (to prevent sticking)
🔥 Step-by-Step Instructions
1️⃣ Make the Meatballs
- In a large bowl, combine the ground pork, chopped onions, garlic, breadcrumbs, cheese, egg, paprika, parsley, salt, and pepper.
- Mix everything together until well combined, but don’t overwork the mixture!
- Shape the mixture into even-sized meatballs (about the size of a golf ball).
2️⃣ Sear the Meatballs
- Heat oil in a large pan over medium heat.
- Add the meatballs and sear them on all sides until golden brown (they don’t need to cook through yet).
- Once seared, remove them from the pan and set aside.
3️⃣ Make the Tomato Sauce
- In the same pan, add the leftover onion and garlic from the meatballs.
- Stir in chopped tomatoes and cook until softened.
- Add tomato purée, water, sugar, and seasonings, then stir everything together.
- Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer.
4️⃣ Simmer the Meatballs
- Carefully place the seared meatballs into the sauce.
- Cover and let them simmer on low heat for about 1 hour, stirring occasionally.
- This allows the flavors to meld beautifully, and the meatballs soak up the sauce!
5️⃣ Cook the Spaghetti
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil.
- Add the spaghetti and cook according to package instructions until al dente.
- Drain and toss with a little oil to prevent sticking.
6️⃣ Serve & Enjoy!
-
Plate the spaghetti, top with meatballs & sauce, and sprinkle with extra cheese & fresh parsley.
-
Dig in and enjoy! 🍝🔥
🍽️ Best Ways to Serve Spaghetti & Meatballs
✅ With warm garlic bread – Because extra carbs make everything better! 🥖
✅ With a crisp side salad – A fresh contrast to the rich sauce. 🥗
✅ With a glass of red wine – A classic pairing! 🍷
✅ With extra parmesan – Because more cheese = more happiness! 🧀
🔎 Pro Tips & Variations
🔹 Want ultra-juicy meatballs? Use half pork, half beef for the best flavor!
🔹 Love a little spice? Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce.
🔹 For a deeper flavor, stir in a splash of red wine while simmering.
🔹 Make-ahead tip: Freeze extra meatballs for a quick meal anytime!
🔹 Gluten-free option? Use gluten-free pasta or zucchini noodles.
❓ Poll: What’s Your Favorite Pasta Dish?
🍝 Classic Spaghetti & Meatballs – A timeless favorite!
🧄 Creamy Garlic Alfredo – Rich, cheesy, and indulgent!
🥦 Pasta Primavera – Light, fresh, and full of veggies!
🔥 Spicy Arrabbiata – For those who love a little heat!
(Vote in the comments below!)
🔥 Final Thoughts
This Spaghetti & Meatballs recipe is a true comfort food classic. With tender meatballs, a rich, flavorful sauce, and perfectly cooked pasta, it’s a dish everyone will love!
📺 Watch the video here and subscribe to my channel for more delicious recipes!
