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Classic Spaghetti and Meatballs Recipe

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★★★★★

5 from 53 reviews

Classic Spaghetti and Meatballs is a hearty Italian-American favorite featuring tender, melt-in-your-mouth meatballs made from a blend of ground beef and pork, simmered in a rich homemade crushed tomato sauce infused with garlic and fresh basil. Served atop perfectly cooked spaghetti and topped with grated Parmesan cheese, this comforting dish makes a satisfying meal for family and friends.

Ingredients

Scale

Meatballs

  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 1/2 lb ground pork
  • 1 cup breadcrumbs
  • 2 eggs
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 6 cloves garlic (minced)
  • Fresh basil (a handful, chopped)

Sauce

  • 2 cans crushed tomatoes (about 28 oz each)
  • 2 cloves garlic (minced)
  • Fresh basil (a few leaves, chopped)

Pasta

  • 1 lb spaghetti
  • Parmesan cheese (for topping)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the meatball mixture: In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, eggs, milk, minced garlic, and chopped fresh basil. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are evenly incorporated, taking care not to overwork the meat to maintain tenderness.
  2. Form the meatballs: Shape the mixture into evenly sized meatballs, about 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter, to ensure even cooking.
  3. Cook the meatballs: In a large skillet over medium heat, lightly brown the meatballs on all sides, about 5-7 minutes total. They do not need to be fully cooked at this stage as they will finish cooking in the sauce.
  4. Prepare the sauce: In a separate large saucepan, sauté minced garlic in a bit of olive oil until fragrant. Add the crushed tomatoes and stir in chopped fresh basil. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer.
  5. Simmer meatballs in sauce: Carefully transfer the browned meatballs into the tomato sauce. Cover and let simmer on low heat for 25 minutes, turning the meatballs gently halfway through to cook evenly and soak up the flavors.
  6. Cook the spaghetti: Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook according to package instructions until al dente, typically 8-10 minutes. Drain and set aside.
  7. Serve: Plate the cooked spaghetti, top with meatballs and sauce, and sprinkle with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and additional basil if desired. Enjoy warm.

Notes

  • For extra flavor, you can add finely chopped onions or Italian seasoning to the meatball mix.
  • Use fresh Parmesan cheese for best taste and texture.
  • Leftover meatballs and sauce can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
  • Adjust the sauce consistency with a little water if it becomes too thick while simmering.
  • Use gluten-free breadcrumbs and pasta for a gluten-free version.

Keywords: spaghetti, meatballs, classic Italian, pasta recipe, ground beef, ground pork, crushed tomatoes, homemade sauce

Find it online: https://tastybella.com/classic-spaghetti-and-meatballs-recipe/