The Best Spaghetti and Meatballs

These juicy and tender meatballs are served with tomato sauce over a bed of spaghetti and Parmesan cheese on top. This dish is great for family dinner, it is loaded with flavors and it is a comfort food. This is the best spaghetti and meatballs ever!
First, soak the bread crumbs in the milk, then add the rest of meatballs ingredients except the ground beef.
Add the ground beef to the bread crumbs mixture. Mix just to combine, then cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate.
Prepare the tomato sauce.
Add chopped fresh basil at the end of cooking.
Form the meatballs and place them in a slightly oiled baking sheet ( I used aluminum paper for easy clean up).
Bake the meatballs in a 350°F preheated oven for about 30 minutes.
Place the baked meatballs in the tomato sauce and let simmer for about 10 minutes.
Serve the meatballs with spaghetti and sprinkle Parmesan cheese on top.

The Best Spaghetti and Meatballs

Course Main Course
Cuisine Italian-American
Keyword Spaguetti and meatballs
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Servings 4
Author LDS’s Mom

Ingredients

  • 1 lb spaghetti pasta
  • Parmesan cheese for serving
  • 1 tbsp unsalted butter, at room temperature

For the meatballs

  • 1 1/2 lb ground beef
  • 1/2 cup white bread crumbs
  • 1/4 cup milk
  • 1 egg
  • 3 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 tbsp finely chopped Italian parsley
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 1 clove of garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp pepper flakes( optional)
  • 1 tbsp olive oil

For the tomato sauce

  • 6 medium tomatoes
  • 1 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1/2 medium onion, minced
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp pepper flakes ( optional)
  • 1 tsp granulated sugar
  • 1 tsp oregano
  • 1 tsp dried basil
  • 2 tbsp chopped fresh basil
  • 1 cup water

Instructions

  1. First prepare the meatballs mixture. Soak the bread crumbs in the milk for few minutes.

  2. Add all the meatballs ingredients to the soaked bread crumbs except the ground beef. Mix them very well with a fork.

  3. Add the ground beef at the end and mix just to combine. Try not to overwork the beef.

  4. Cover the meatballs mixture with plastic wrap and refrigerate.

  5. Now, prepare the tomato sauce by putting the tomatoes in a boiled water. Let boil for few minutes, then gently peel them off.

  6. Put olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat.

  7. Add onion, garlic, salt, pepper, oregano, dried basil, pepper flakes (optional), sugar and tomato paste.

  8. Cook for about 5 minutes, then add the peeled tomatoes.

  9. Use a potato masher in the same saucepan to mash the tomatoes.

  10. Let cook for a good 10 minutes on medium temperature then add water and bring to boil.

  11. Let simmer for about 30 minutes, then add the fresh basil.

  12. While the tomato sauce is simmering, form your meatballs and place them in a slightly oiled baking sheet.

  13. Bake in a 350°F preheated oven for about 30 minutes.

  14. At this time cook the spaghetti according to package directions.

  15. Drain and add 1 tablespoon butter. Mix the butter well.

  16. Place the meatballs in the tomato sauce and let simmer for about 10 minutes.

  17. Serve the spaghetti with the tomato sauce and meatballs.

  18. Add Parmesan cheese on top.

  19. Enjoy.

Recipe Notes

  • If you are serving this dish immediately, you can mix the spaghetti in the tomato sauce and meatballs.

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