Spaghetti with Homemade Beef Meatballs and Marinara Sauce

Introduction

Few dishes are as comforting and universally loved as a big bowl of spaghetti with homemade beef meatballs and marinara sauce. This recipe combines tender, juicy meatballs simmered in a rich tomato marinara sauce, served over perfectly cooked spaghetti. It’s the ultimate Italian-American classic, a dish that’s hearty, flavorful, and always a crowd-pleaser.

This meal is perfect for family dinners, cozy gatherings, or when you just want to indulge in a comforting bowl of pasta. From scratch, it feels wholesome and nourishing, with each bite delivering a harmony of textures and flavors.

Why I Love This Recipe

I love this recipe because it takes a simple pasta dish and elevates it with homemade meatballs that are tender and full of flavor. The marinara sauce, simmered with garlic and herbs, clings to the pasta and meatballs beautifully. It’s a dish that feels like a warm hug—it’s filling, flavorful, and incredibly satisfying.

Plus, it’s versatile: leftovers taste even better the next day, and the meatballs can be enjoyed on their own, in sandwiches, or even frozen for future meals.

Why It’s a Must-Try Dish

This dish is a must-try because:

• It’s a classic that never goes out of style.
• The homemade meatballs are juicy and much better than store-bought versions.
• The marinara sauce is simple yet rich in flavor.
• It’s a family-friendly recipe that both kids and adults will love.
• It’s perfect for both weeknight dinners and special occasions.

Recipe Details

• Preparation Time: 25 minutes
• Cooking Time: 40 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Servings: 6
• Calories per serving: ~550–600 kcal
• Cuisine: Italian-American
• Course: Main Course

Ingredients

For the Meatballs

• 1 1/2 lbs (680 g) ground beef (80/20)
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs (plain or panko)
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 cup whole milk
• 2 large eggs
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped (or 2 tsp dried)
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp olive oil (for frying)

For the Marinara Sauce

• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 cans (28 oz each) crushed tomatoes
• 1 tsp dried basil (or 1 tbsp fresh basil)
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp sugar (optional, balances acidity)
• Salt and pepper to taste

For the Pasta

• 1 lb (450 g) spaghetti
• Salt for boiling water

For Garnish

• Fresh basil or parsley (optional)
• Freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Simple Cooking Directions

1. Mix meatball ingredients, shape into balls, and sear until browned.
2. Cook onion and garlic, then simmer crushed tomatoes with herbs for sauce.
3. Add browned meatballs to sauce and simmer until fully cooked.
4. Boil spaghetti until al dente, drain, and serve with sauce and meatballs.

Step-by-Step Preparation Method

Step 1: Make the Meatballs

1. In a large bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, milk, eggs, garlic, parsley, oregano, salt, and pepper.
2. Mix gently until combined—don’t overmix.
3. Shape mixture into 1 1/2-inch meatballs (about 18–20 meatballs).

Step 2: Cook the Meatballs

1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
2. Add meatballs in batches and sear until browned on all sides (they don’t need to be cooked through yet).
3. Remove and set aside.

Step 3: Make the Marinara Sauce

1. In the same skillet, add olive oil, onion, and garlic. Cook until softened and fragrant.
2. Stir in crushed tomatoes, basil, oregano, sugar, salt, and pepper.
3. Simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Step 4: Simmer Meatballs in Sauce

1. Gently place browned meatballs into the sauce.
2. Cover and simmer for 20–25 minutes, until meatballs are cooked through (internal temp 160°F / 71°C).

Step 5: Cook Spaghetti

1. Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to boil.
2. Cook spaghetti according to package directions until al dente.
3. Drain and toss lightly with olive oil to prevent sticking.

Step 6: Serve

1. Plate spaghetti, spoon marinara sauce and meatballs over the top.
2. Garnish with fresh basil and Parmesan cheese.

How to Serve

• Serve hot with a generous sprinkle of Parmesan cheese.
• Pair with garlic bread and a green salad for a complete meal.
• A glass of red wine (like Chianti or Merlot) pairs beautifully.

Additional Recipe Tips

• Use ground beef with some fat content (80/20) for juicier meatballs.
• Soaking breadcrumbs in milk keeps the meatballs tender.
• Don’t overcrowd the pan when browning meatballs; work in batches.
• For extra flavor, simmer the sauce longer (up to 1 hour).

Variations

• Meat Mix: Use a blend of beef, pork, and veal for richer flavor.
• Cheese-Stuffed Meatballs: Place a cube of mozzarella inside each meatball.
• Spicy Version: Add red pepper flakes to the sauce.
• Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free breadcrumbs and pasta.

Freezing and Storage

• Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
• Freezer (Meatballs & Sauce): Freeze cooled meatballs with sauce in portions for up to 3 months. Reheat gently on the stove.
• Freezer (Uncooked Meatballs): Freeze raw shaped meatballs on a tray, then transfer to a bag. Cook directly from frozen, adding 5–7 minutes.

Special Equipment Needed

• Large mixing bowl
• Large skillet or Dutch oven
• Large pot for pasta
• Wooden spoon or spatula

Conclusion

Spaghetti with Homemade Beef Meatballs and Marinara Sauce is the ultimate comfort food—rich, hearty, and satisfying. Juicy, flavorful meatballs nestled in a savory tomato sauce and paired with tender spaghetti make this dish unforgettable. It’s easy enough for a weeknight dinner but impressive enough for entertaining guests. Once you try this homemade version, you’ll never go back to store-bought again.

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Spaghetti with Homemade Beef Meatballs and Marinara Sauce

Author: admin Cuisine: American, Italian Courses: Dinner

Difficulty: Beginner Prep Time 25 mins Cook Time 40 mins Total Time 1 hr 5 mins

Servings: 6 Calories: 600 kcal

Description

Few dishes are as comforting and universally loved as a big bowl of spaghetti with homemade beef meatballs and marinara sauce. This recipe combines tender, juicy meatballs simmered in a rich tomato marinara sauce, served over perfectly cooked spaghetti.

Ingredients

Scale

1/2x 1x 2x 3x

For the Meatballs

• 1 ¹⁄₂ lbs (680 g)
• ¹⁄₂ cup breadcrumbs (plain or panko)
• ¹⁄₄ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• ¹⁄₄ cup whole milk
• 2 large eggs
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• ¹⁄₄ cup fresh parsley, chopped (or 2 tsp dried)
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp salt
• ¹⁄₂ tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp olive oil (for frying)

For the Marinara Sauce

• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 cans (28 oz each)
• 1 tsp dried basil (or 1 tbsp fresh basil)
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp sugar (optional, balances acidity)
• Salt and pepper to taste

For the Pasta

• 1 lb (450 g)
• Salt for boiling water

For Garnish

• Fresh basil or parsley (optional)
• Freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

1. Step 1: Make the Meatballs : In a large bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, milk, eggs, garlic, parsley, oregano, salt, and pepper. Mix gently until combined—don’t overmix. Shape mixture into 1 1/2-inch meatballs (about 18–20 meatballs).
2. Step 2: Cook the Meatballs : Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add meatballs in batches and sear until browned on all sides (they don’t need to be cooked through yet). Remove and set aside.
3. Step 3: Make the Marinara Sauce : In the same skillet, add olive oil, onion, and garlic. Cook until softened and fragrant. Stir in crushed tomatoes, basil, oregano, sugar, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
4. Step 4: Simmer Meatballs in Sauce : Gently place browned meatballs into the sauce. Cover and simmer for 20–25 minutes, until meatballs are cooked through (internal temp 160°F / 71°C).
5. Step 5: Cook Spaghetti : Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Cook spaghetti according to package directions until al dente. Drain and toss lightly with olive oil to prevent sticking.
6. Step 6: Serve : Plate spaghetti, spoon marinara sauce and meatballs over the top. Garnish with fresh basil and Parmesan cheese.

Keywords: Spaghetti with Homemade Beef Meatballs and Marinara Sauce