Spaghetti and Meatballs

Spaghetti and meatballs is such a comfort food classic. The meatballs are made from ground beef and Italian sausage and served with a sauce made with mushrooms, onions, basil, and Parmesan.

By
Elise Bauer
Elise Bauer
Elise Bauer
Elise founded Simply Recipes in 2003 and led the site until 2019. She has an MA in Food Research from Stanford University.
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Updated March 08, 2023
Elise Bauer
Plate of Spaghetti and Meatballs Topped with Basil, and in the Surroundings, a Glass of Water, Toasted Bread, a Burgundy Table Napkin, and a Bowl of Parmesan

Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe

Spaghetti and meatballs, what's not to love? Spaghetti and meatballs has to be one of the most fun dishes ever invented, at least from a kid's perspective.

Mounds of spaghetti, fork twirling strands in a spoon, tasty meatballs, trying to lift just the right amount from the bowl—these are some of my favorite memories from childhood.

This particular spaghetti and meatballs recipe was given to us by Rick Mindermann of our local Italian grocery store Corti Brothers. Rick is one of these walking encyclopedias of food knowledge, whose enthusiasm for all things food and cooking is infectious.

I adapted the following recipe slightly from Rick's original, and we love it! My father even declared the other day that from here on out, this is how we are making meatballs.

Tips for Making the Best Meatballs

It's all about the meatballs, right? Here are some tips to ensure that yours are the best:

  • Mix the meats: Use a combination of ground beef and Italian pork sausage for the best flavor.
  • Include chopped mushrooms: Mushrooms release moisture while they cook, so not only does including mushrooms in your meatball mixture add flavor, it helps keep the meatballs from drying out.
  • Use a light hand: Don't over-mix the ingredients or the meatballs will be tough. Work the ingredients just enough so that the mixture comes together.
  • Cook in batches: Rather than crowd the pan, cook the meatballs in batches in a single layer.
Platter of Spaghetti and Meatballs With a Piece of Toasted Bread and Topped With Fresh Basil Leaves, and in the Surroundings, a Burgundy Table Napkin, a Bowl of Parmesan, Bite Size Bread Pieces Scattered on the Table, and a Plate With More Spaghetti and Meatballs

Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe

Why San Marzano Tomatoes?

Your tomato sauce will only be as good as your tomatoes! San Marzano tomatoes are an Italian variety of plum tomatoes (a.k.a. Roma tomatoes) with fewer seeds and thicker flesh that are particularly well suited for tomato sauce.

Canned San Marzanos are pricier than other canned tomatoes but, in my opinion, well worth it. If you can't find them, just use canned plum or Roma tomatoes.

Making Ahead and Storing Meatballs

You can make the meatballs and sauce a day or so ahead of time if you like, and store them in the fridge in a covered container. Just reheat in a saucepan or in the microwave when it's time to make the spaghetti.

Spaghetti and meatballs will keep for 3 to 4 days covered and in the fridge. The meatballs will freeze better than the spaghetti, but you can freeze both.

Plate of Spaghetti and Meatballs and a Slice of Toasted Bread. Some of the Spaghetti Is Wrapped Around a Fork Sitting on the Plate. In the Surroundings. More Toasted Bread.

Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe

More Classic Pasta Dishes to Dig Into:

Spaghetti and Meatballs

Prep Time 20 mins
Cook Time 50 mins
Total Time 70 mins
Servings 6 servings

Ingredients

For the sauce

  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

  • 1/2 sweet yellow onion, chopped

  • 3 cloves garlic, chopped

  • 1 cup very finely chopped carrots

  • 1 cup chopped cremini brown mushrooms

  • 3 tablespoons tomato paste

  • 2 (28-ounce) cans Italian plum tomatoes (San Marzano, if possible)

  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh Italian parsley

  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil

  • 1/4 cup red wine

  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan-Romano cheese blend

  • Salt, to taste (about 1 teaspoon)

For the meatballs

  • 1 pound ground beef (at least 16% fat)

  • 1/2 pound fresh bulk Italian-style pork sausage

  • 2 tablespoons finely chopped basil

  • 2 tablespoons finely chopped Italian parsley

  • 1/2 cup finely chopped cremini brown mushrooms

  • 2 large eggs

  • 3/4 cup unseasoned breadcrumbs

  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan-Romano cheese blend

  • 2 teaspoons sea salt

  • 2 teaspoons fresh ground black pepper

  • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

  • 1 splash red wine

For the pasta

  • 1 1/2 pounds dry 100% semolina spaghetti, thin spaghetti, or bucatini

  • Salt, for the pasta water

Method

  1. Prepare the sauce:

    Heat the olive oil in a 4 to 5-quart pot on medium-high heat. Add the onions and cook for 2 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds longer or until fragrant.

    Add the carrots and mushrooms, and cook for 2 minutes. Add the tomato paste, stir to blend, and cook for a minute longer.

    Add the canned tomatoes, parsley, and basil. Mash and stir the tomatoes with a potato masher until the sauce starts to thicken, about 5 minutes over medium-high heat.

    Reduce the heat to low and simmer gently while preparing meatballs, stirring occasionally.

    Onions, Mushrooms, Carrots, and Tomato Paste Cooked Together in a Pot for Spaghetti and Meatballs Recipe

    Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe
    Herbs Added to Pot While Canned Tomatoes Is Smashed Using a Potato Smasher for Spaghetti & Meatballs Recipe

    Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe
    Spaghetti and Meatballs Sauce in a Pot, Mixed Using a Wooden Spoon

    Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe
  2. Form the meatballs:

    In a large bowl, use your hands to mix the beef, Italian sausage, basil, parsley, mushrooms, eggs, breadcrumbs, cheese, salt, and pepper. Do not over-mix or the meatballs will be tough.

    Use a small melon baller, cookie scoop, or heaping teaspoon to form 1-inch round meatballs. Roll and compress into tight balls, but don't overwork the mixture.

    Bowl of Meatball Ingredients All Mixed Together for Spaghetti and Meatballs Recipe

    Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe
    Meatballs Portioned Using a Cookie Scoop and Placed on a Parchment Wrapped Baking Tray for Spaghetti and Meatballs

    Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe
    Meatballs on a Parchment Paper Lined Baking Sheet after Being Shaped into Balls for Spaghetti and Meatballs Recipe

    Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe
  3. Brown the meatballs:

    In a separate wide, shallow pan, heat the olive oil on medium-high heat. Brown the meatballs on all sides, about 2 to 3 minutes.

    Depending on pan size you may need to brown 2 batches of the meatballs. Cook them in a single layer; do not crowd the pan by stacking them.

    Do not overcook the meatballs; they will continue to cook in the sauce. You just want to brown them on all sides. Towards the end of browning the meatballs, add a little bit of red wine to deglaze the pan.

    Meatballs Browned in a Large Pan for Spaghetti and Meatballs Recipe

    Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe
  4. Finish and simmer the sauce:

    Add the red wine to the sauce and stir in the cheese. Add salt to taste. Add the browned meatballs and gently stir. Simmer the sauce and meatballs for 30 to 45 minutes, stirring occasionally.

    Red Wine and Parmesan Added to Pot of Sauce for Spaghetti and Meatballs Recipe

    Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe
    Meatballs Added to Pot of Sauce

    Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe
    Meatballs Stirred into Pot of Sauce With a Wooden Spoon

    Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe
  5. Cook the spaghetti:

    While the sauce is simmering, bring a large pot with 4 quarts of salted water to a boil (1 tablespoon of salt for every 2 quarts of water). When the water returns to a boil add the pasta to the pot.

    Leave the pot uncovered while you cook the pasta on high heat with a vigorous boil. Put a timer on for 8 to 10 minutes, or according to package directions for al dente pasta (cooked but still a little firm). Drain.

    Cooked Spaghetti in a Colander for Spaghetti and Meatballs

    Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe
  6. Serve:

    To serve, place a thin layer of sauce on each plate, add the pasta, add sauce and meatballs, and then sprinkle with grated Parmesan-Romano cheese.

    Plate of Spaghetti and Meatballs Topped With Parmesan

    Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe
    Table Setting (L to R): Toasted Bread on a Wooden Board, Burgundy Table Cloth, a Platter of Spaghetti and Meatballs With a Slice of Tasted Bread and Topped With Basil, a Glass of Water, Bite Size Bread Pieces on the Table, a Bread Piece Dipped into a Small Saucer With Olive Oil and Crushed Red Peppers, a Small Bowl With Parmesan, and a Plate With More Spaghetti and Meatballs

    Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
767 Calories
36g Fat
64g Carbs
44g Protein
Show Full Nutrition Label Hide Full Nutrition Label
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 6
Amount per serving
Calories 767
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 36g 47%
Saturated Fat 11g 57%
Cholesterol 169mg 56%
Sodium 1750mg 76%
Total Carbohydrate 64g 23%
Dietary Fiber 8g 28%
Total Sugars 13g
Protein 44g
Vitamin C 47mg 234%
Calcium 200mg 15%
Iron 7mg 41%
Potassium 1569mg 33%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate. In cases where multiple ingredient alternatives are given, the first listed is calculated for nutrition. Garnishes and optional ingredients are not included.