Spaghetti Sauce with Meatballs
Dive into the comforting flavors of classic Italian-American cuisine with this hearty Spaghetti Sauce with Meatballs recipe. Juicy meatballs, made from a flavorful blend of ground beef, pork, parmesan cheese, and fresh parsley, are gently simmered in a rich, aromatic tomato sauce bursting with garlic, onion, and fragrant herbs like oregano and basil. This slow-cooked sauce pairs perfectly with al dente spaghetti, creating a dish that's both timeless and satisfying. Whether you're preparing a cozy family dinner or impressing guests, this recipe combines simple ingredients and easy techniques to deliver an unforgettable meal. Garnish with freshly grated parmesan and parsley for the ultimate finishing touch!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 28 ounces crushed tomatoes
- 6 ounces tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 pound ground beef
- 0.5 pounds ground pork
- 0.5 cups breadcrumbs
- 0.25 cups parmesan cheese, grated
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 large egg
- 1 pound spaghetti
- as needed for boiling water
Instructions
Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until soft, about 5 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute.
Add the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, oregano, basil, sugar, salt, and black pepper. Stir well and bring the sauce to a simmer. Lower the heat to medium-low and let it simmer, stirring occasionally, while you prepare the meatballs.
In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, grated parmesan cheese, milk, parsley, egg, 1 teaspoon of salt, and 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper. Mix gently with your hands until just combined; do not overmix.
Using your hands or a small scoop, shape the mixture into meatballs about 1 1/2 inches in diameter. Set aside on a plate or tray.
Heat a large skillet over medium heat and lightly coat the bottom with olive oil. Once the oil is hot, add the meatballs in batches, browning them on all sides. They do not need to be cooked through at this stage.
Transfer the browned meatballs into the simmering sauce. Cover and let the sauce and meatballs simmer together for 30-40 minutes, stirring gently occasionally to prevent sticking.
While the sauce and meatballs cook, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the spaghetti according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
To serve, plate the spaghetti and ladle the sauce with meatballs over the top. Garnish with additional parmesan cheese and parsley if desired.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
3281 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 178.9 g | 229% | |
| Saturated Fat | 61.9 g | 310% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 4.6 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 747 mg | 249% | |
| Sodium | 4248 mg | 185% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 236.1 g | 86% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 22.7 g | 81% | |
| Total Sugars | 41.7 g | ||
| Protein | 192.2 g | 384% | |
| Vitamin D | 1.7 mcg | 8% | |
| Calcium | 779 mg | 60% | |
| Iron | 26.6 mg | 148% | |
| Potassium | 3317 mg | 71% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
