Spaghetti and meatballs is a dish that can be found in Italian restaurants all over the US. It is easy to prepare, and nothing compares to the freshness and quality of making it at home. Plus, this recipe will feed a family of 6 for less than one plate at an Italian restaurant.
This is a classic family style recipe that is super kid friendly. There’s something about slurping up a long spaghetti noodle that thrills the heck out of the kids.
I love this recipe not only because it’s delicious, but because it is easy to put together and the kids love rolling the meatballs. When everyone gets involved in the meal prep, it is fun and quicker. It also gives them a sense of pride that they helped create something yummy.
Print Recipe
Spaghetti and Meatballs
Equipment
- mixing bowl
- cast iron skillet
- 6 Quart stock pot
- colander
Ingredients
Meatballs
- 1/2 lb Ground beef
- 1/2 lb Ground pork
- 1/4 cup Yellow onion, minced tiny
- 2 cloves Garlic
- 1/3 cup Plain bread crumbs
- 1/4 cup Milk
- 1 Egg
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 tsp Sea salt
- 1/2 tsp Black pepper
- 1 tbsp Olive oil
Spaghetti Sauce
- 1 quart Tomato Sauce
- 1 pint Diced tomatoes, canned
- 1 tsp Dried basil
- 1 tsp Dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp Sea salt
- 1/4 tsp Black pepper
Noodles and garnish
- 1 package Durum wheat spaghetti noodles (not enriched macaroni product)
- Shredded parmesan
Instructions
- Heat oil in a large cast iron skillet over medium heat.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine ground beef, ground pork, onion, garlic, breadcrumbs, milk, egg, parmesan cheese, salt and pepper. For me, it seems to mix best using my hands rather than a spoon or spatula.
- Form the meat mixture into balls about the size of a bouncy ball. This recipe will yield about 24- 25 meatballs.
- Place the meatballs into the hot skillet and cook on all sides.
- Once all the meatballs are no longer pink, pour the tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, basil, oregano, salt and pepper into the skillet.
- Bring the sauce to a simmer, reduce heat to medium low, and cover. Continue to simmer for 30 minutes.
- While the sauce is simmering, boil water with a dash of salt for the noodles.
- Once the water is hot and boiling, cook the noodles for 9 minutes, or until al dente.
- Strain the noodles, but do not rinse. The sauce sticks better to noodles that have not been rinsed.
- To serve, place a portion of the noodles into a pasta bowl and cover with the sauce. Serve with about 4 meatballs per bowl. Garnish with freshly grated parmesan cheese.
