When it comes to comforting
weeknight dinners, it doesn’t get more classic than spaghetti and meatballs. We turn to a steaming bowl of this staple comfort food time and time again when we’re craving a pasta dinner that’s easy to make, and even easier to devour. If you’re looking for a classic, no-frills spaghetti and meatballs, then you’ve come to the right place. Make this as-is for our best-ever version of this classic dish, or feel free to use it as a base to experiment with and make your own. Here’s everything you need to know to make it the best it can be:
How to make the marinara sauce:
When it comes to sauce, you’ve got options. Follow our recipe below for a simple but satisfying sauce, and feel free to experiment with it—add your own favorite herbs and spices, tasting as you go. Or, if you’ve got some time on your hands (and if you prefer a ground beef-based sauce), our best-ever spaghetti sauce is the way to go. For an even speedier dinner, you can totally go with jarred marinara sauce.
How to make the best meatballs:
— The secret to the best-ever meatballs. Our goal here was to produce quick and easy meatballs that are still extremely flavorful. If you’re looking to take these over the top, then make a panade: a binder made by soaking bread crumbs in milk until it becomes a paste. It’s not required, but it is our top tip for tender, moist meatballs that won’t fall apart. While we skipped this step in our recipe here, make our Italian meatballs to really take things up a notch.
— Don’t crowd your pan. However you flavor your meatballs, make sure not to crowd the pan while frying. If needed, fry in batches, so that each meatball gets a chance to form a delicious golden crust.
— Meatball variations. We included the recipe for our simple but flavorful ground beef meatballs, but we’ve got plenty of meatball recipes to try, from spicy harissa meatballs to vegan meatballs. Don’t be afraid to experiment with your mix-ins, there are so many delicious meatball flavor combos just waiting for you to discover them.
What to serve with spaghetti and meatballs:
This dish is ultra-comforting all on its own, but also pairs perfectly with a variety of our favorite side dishes for pasta. Make our garlic knots or garlic bread to soak up all of the delicious sauce, or our sheet-pan panzanella or Caesar salad to add some greens to your meal.
Made this? Let us know how it went in the comments below!
When it comes to comforting
weeknight dinners, it doesn’t get more classic than spaghetti and meatballs. We turn to a steaming bowl of this staple comfort food time and time again when we’re craving a pasta dinner that’s easy to make, and even easier to devour. If you’re looking for a classic, no-frills spaghetti and meatballs, then you’ve come to the right place. Make this as-is for our best-ever version of this classic dish, or feel free to use it as a base to experiment with and make your own. Here’s everything you need to know to make it the best it can be:
How to make the marinara sauce:
When it comes to sauce, you’ve got options. Follow our recipe below for a simple but satisfying sauce, and feel free to experiment with it—add your own favorite herbs and spices, tasting as you go. Or, if you’ve got some time on your hands (and if you prefer a ground beef-based sauce), our best-ever spaghetti sauce is the way to go. For an even speedier dinner, you can totally go with jarred marinara sauce.
How to make the best meatballs:
— The secret to the best-ever meatballs. Our goal here was to produce quick and easy meatballs that are still extremely flavorful. If you’re looking to take these over the top, then make a panade: a binder made by soaking bread crumbs in milk until it becomes a paste. It’s not required, but it is our top tip for tender, moist meatballs that won’t fall apart. While we skipped this step in our recipe here, make our Italian meatballs to really take things up a notch.
— Don’t crowd your pan. However you flavor your meatballs, make sure not to crowd the pan while frying. If needed, fry in batches, so that each meatball gets a chance to form a delicious golden crust.
— Meatball variations. We included the recipe for our simple but flavorful ground beef meatballs, but we’ve got plenty of meatball recipes to try, from spicy harissa meatballs to vegan meatballs. Don’t be afraid to experiment with your mix-ins, there are so many delicious meatball flavor combos just waiting for you to discover them.
What to serve with spaghetti and meatballs:
This dish is ultra-comforting all on its own, but also pairs perfectly with a variety of our favorite side dishes for pasta. Make our garlic knots or garlic bread to soak up all of the delicious sauce, or our sheet-pan panzanella or Caesar salad to add some greens to your meal.
Made this? Let us know how it went in the comments below!
- Yields:
-
4
serving(s)
- Prep Time:
- 20 mins
- Total Time:
- 1 hr
- Cal/Serv:
- 938
Directions
-
- Step 1
In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook pasta until al dente. Drain.
- Step 2In a large bowl, combine beef with bread crumbs, parsley, Parmesan, egg, garlic, 1 teaspoon salt, and red pepper flakes. Mix until just combined then form into 16 balls.
- Step 3In a large pot over medium heat, heat oil. Add meatballs and cook, turning occasionally, until browned on all sides, about 10 minutes. Transfer meatballs to a plate.
- Step 4Add onion to pot and cook until soft, 5 minutes. Add crushed tomatoes and bay leaf. Season with salt and pepper and bring to a simmer. Return meatballs to pot and cover. Simmer until sauce has thickened, 8 to 10 minutes.
- Step 5Serve pasta with a healthy scoop of meatballs and sauce. Top with Parmesan before serving.
- Step 1
Ethan Calabrese
