Easy Spaghetti and Meatballs Recipe

Introduction

This easy spaghetti and meatballs recipe is a classic comfort food that comes together quickly and satisfies every time. Juicy meatballs simmered in flavorful marinara sauce pair perfectly with tender spaghetti for a hearty, delicious meal.

Ingredients

• 2 and 1/2 teaspoons salt, divided
• 1/2 pound ground beef
• 1/2 pound Italian sausage meat
• 1 large jar (24 ounces) marinara sauce
• 12 ounces spaghetti

Instructions

1. Step 1: Fill a large pot with water and add 2 teaspoons of salt. Cover and bring to a boil over high heat.
2. Step 2: In a large bowl, combine the ground beef and Italian sausage. Sprinkle with the remaining 1/2 teaspoon of salt and mix gently with your hands until just combined; avoid overmixing.
3. Step 3: Shape the meat mixture into 16 golf-ball-sized meatballs.
4. Step 4: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the meatballs and cook until browned on the bottom, about 3 minutes. Flip and brown another side.
5. Step 5: Pour the marinara sauce into the skillet with the meatballs and bring to a simmer, stirring often. Reduce heat to low and let simmer, stirring occasionally, until meatballs are cooked through and no longer pink inside, about 4 to 5 minutes. Turn off heat and cover the skillet to keep warm.
6. Step 6: When the meatballs begin simmering in the sauce, add the spaghetti to the boiling salted water. Cook according to package instructions or until your desired doneness. Drain the pasta thoroughly.
7. Step 7: Divide the cooked spaghetti among four plates. Remove the lid from the skillet, stir the meatballs and sauce, and spoon them evenly over the pasta before serving.

Tips & Variations

• For extra flavor, add minced garlic and chopped fresh herbs like parsley or basil to the meat mixture before shaping the meatballs.
• You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option.
• Use homemade marinara sauce if you prefer a fresher taste.
• Serve with grated Parmesan cheese and a side of garlic bread for a complete meal.

Storage

Store leftover meatballs and sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Keep cooked spaghetti separately to avoid sogginess. Reheat meatballs and sauce gently on the stove over low heat, adding a splash of water if needed. Combine with pasta just before serving.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make the meatballs ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare and shape the meatballs a day ahead. Store them covered in the refrigerator and cook as directed when ready to serve.

How do I know when the meatballs are fully cooked?

Meatballs are cooked through when they are no longer pink inside and reach an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C). The sauce simmering step helps ensure they are fully cooked.

Easy Spaghetti and Meatballs Recipe

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4.8 from 111 reviews

This Easy Spaghetti and Meatballs recipe combines tender, flavorful meatballs with rich marinara sauce and perfectly cooked spaghetti for a classic Italian-American comfort meal that is simple to prepare and sure to please the whole family.

• Author: Nora
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Main Dish
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: Italian-American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meatballs

• 1/2 lb. ground beef
• 1/2 lb. Italian sausage meat
• 2 and 1/2 tsp. salt, divided

Sauce

• 1 large jar (24 oz) marinara sauce

Pasta

• 12 oz. spaghetti

Instructions

1. Boil Water: Fill a large pot with water and add 2 teaspoons of the salt. Cover and bring to a boil over high heat to prepare for cooking the spaghetti.
2. Prepare Meat Mixture: While waiting for the water to boil, place the ground beef and Italian sausage meat into a large bowl. Sprinkle with the remaining 1/2 teaspoon of salt and mix gently with your hands until just combined, taking care not to overmix, which could toughen the meatballs.
3. Shape Meatballs: Form the meat mixture into 16 golf-ball-sized meatballs, ensuring they are uniform in size for even cooking.
4. Brown Meatballs: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the meatballs to the skillet and cook until they are browned on the underside, about 3 minutes. Flip the meatballs and brown the opposite side to develop a nice crust.
5. Simmer Meatballs in Sauce: Pour the marinara sauce into the skillet with the browned meatballs and bring the mixture up to a gentle simmer while stirring occasionally. Reduce the heat to low and cook at a low simmer, stirring occasionally, for 4-5 minutes until the meatballs are cooked through and no longer pink inside. After cooking, turn off the heat and cover the skillet with a lid to keep warm.
6. Cook Spaghetti: As you start simmering the meatballs in sauce, add the spaghetti to the boiling salted water. Cook according to the package instructions or until al dente, then drain the pasta.
7. Serve: Divide the cooked spaghetti evenly among four dinner plates. Remove the lid from the skillet, stir the meatballs and sauce briefly, then spoon the meatballs and sauce over the spaghetti on each plate. Serve immediately.

Notes

• Use fresh ground beef and Italian sausage for the best flavor in your meatballs.
• Do not overmix the meat mixture to keep meatballs tender.
• Adjust salt according to taste and dietary needs.
• Make sure to brown the meatballs well to enhance their flavor and texture.
• If preferred, substitute spaghetti with another pasta type such as linguine or fettuccine.
• Leftover meatballs and sauce can be refrigerated and reheated later.

Keywords: spaghetti and meatballs, easy Italian recipe, classic meatballs, marinara sauce, pasta dinner