Spaghetti and Meatballs

Spaghetti and Meatballs is a meal I grew up with. It was a mainstay my mama always made. My recipe is straight up comfort just like hers was. I pair pasta with homemade meatballs that are super juicy and flavorful and a simple but bomb marinara sauce. Served over pasta, it just hits so hard. It will remind you of all of those nostalgic meals you remembered growing up. Serve along with garlic bread and caesar salad for a simple perfect meal.

How to Make Spaghetti and Meatballs

Step 1: Make the Meatballs

1. Add the sausage, ground meat, egg, Worcestershire sauce, salt, garlic powder, black pepper, onion powder, Italian herbs, red pepper, and bread crumbs to a medium-sized bowl.
2. Mix them together using your hands until everything is well combined.
3. Shape the mixture into small to medium-sized meatballs and set aside on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
4. Cook the meatballs in batches in 3-4 tablespoons of olive oil in a medium-sized pan over medium-high heat.
5. Turn the meatballs over on all sides to make sure they are thoroughly cooked through. Add more olive oil if necessary to cook all meatballs.
6. Remove the meatballs from the pan and drain them on paper towels. Continuing cooking until all the meatballs are done.

Step 2: Cook the Sauce and Bring the Dish Together

1. Cook chopped onions in the same skillet with a bit more olive oil added, and cook until tender. Add in the garlic and cook for only 30 seconds making sure not to burn.
2. Add the crushed tomatoes, red wine, Italian seasoning, sugar, salt, and pepper. Cook the sauce over low heat for about 4-5 minutes to allow the flavors time to meld together.
3. Add your meatballs to the skillet.
4. Cook the meatballs covered for 15-20 minutes over low heat to thicken and allow the flavors to come together.

Serve it up. Toss your cooked spaghetti pasta with the sauce and meatballs or spoon the spaghetti sauce and meatballs over the cooked spaghetti. Garnish with parmesan cheese, basil and/or parsley.

Spaghetti and Meatballs Recipe

This soul food spaghetti and meatballs recipe is perfectly flavorful and perfect for a weeknight or Sunday supper. It's ready in about 30 minutes for a dish the whole family will love.

5 from 4 votes

Print Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

0 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

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Author: Jocelyn Delk Adams

Course: Main Course

Servings: 6 servings

Equipment

• large skillet
• mixing bowl
• Cookie Scoop

Ingredients

For the Meatballs:

• ▢ ½ pound ground turkey or chicken sausage decased
• ▢ ½ pound ground turkey or chicken
• ▢ 1 large egg beaten
• ▢ 3 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
• ▢ 1 teaspoon seasoned salt
• ▢ 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• ▢ ½ teaspoon black pepper
• ▢ ½ teaspoon onion powder
• ▢ ½ teaspoon Italian herbs
• ▢ ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper for some heat
• ▢ ⅓ cup seasoned bread crumbs

For the Spaghetti Sauce:

• ▢ 1 cup chopped onions
• ▢ 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• ▢ 28 ounces crushed tomatoes
• ▢ ⅓ cup red wine
• ▢ 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• ▢ 2 teaspoons sugar
• ▢ Salt and pepper to taste
• ▢ Cooked spaghetti
• ▢ Optional: Parmesan Cheese, Basil or Parsley to Garnish.

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Instructions

• Add sausage, ground turkey or chicken, egg, worchestershire sauce, salt, garlic powder, black pepper, onion powder, italian herbs, red pepper and bread crumbs into a medium sized bowl and mix together using your hands until well combined.
• Scoop the mixture into small to medium sized meatballs and set aside on a parchment lined baking sheet.
• Wash hands and add 3-4 tablespoons of olive oil into a medium sized pan over medium high heat.
• Cook meatballs in batches until golden brown, turning over on all sides to make sure it is thoroughly cooked through. Add more olive oil if necessary to cook all meatballs. Remove meatballs from pan and drain on paper towels until all are done.
• Begin on the sauce by turning the heat to medium low and adding a bit more olive oil then chopped onions and cook until tender.
• Next add in garlic and cook for only 30 seconds making sure not to burn.
• Add in your crushed tomatoes, and stir in red wine, Italian seasoning, sugar and salt and pepper. Allow to simmer for about 4-5 minutes then add in your meatballs and cover to cook for 15-20 minutes over low heat to thicken and allow the flavors to come together.
• Either toss your cooked spaghetti pasta in or spoon spaghetti sauce and meatballs over cooked spaghetti. Garnish with parmesan cheese, basil and/or parsley and serve.

Notes

How to Store & Reheat 

Cool the leftovers and store them in an airtight container in the fridge. You can store them together or store the sauce and pasta separately.  It will stay all good for up to 4 days.

To reheat, warm leftovers in a saucepan over medium heat until heated through. You may need to add a splash of water or extra sauce. You can also heat individual servings in the microwave.

Can I freeze spaghetti and meatballs?

Yep! For the best results I suggest keeping pasta separate if you know you will be freezing some. Freeze the meatballs and sauce in a freezer-safe container for up to two months. Remove from the freezer the night before and allow it to thaw in the fridge before reheating.

Nutrition

Calories: 232kcal | Carbohydrates: 21g | Protein: 19g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 78mg | Sodium: 1102mg | Potassium: 611mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 510IU | Vitamin C: 15.4mg | Calcium: 79mg | Iron: 3.3mg

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Recipe Tips

• Measure Your Meatballs: Use a scoop, measuring spoon, or scale to keep the meatballs the same size so they cook evenly.
• Don’t Overcook: Cook the meatballs just long enough to brown in the oil. They will continue to cook in the sauce.
• Cook Your Pasta Al Dente: Check it a couple of minutes before the package instructions indicate so it isn’t overcooked.
• Salt Your Pasta Water: This is the key to flavorful pasta. It should be quite salty as most of it won’t be absorbed by the pasta.

Recipe Help

More Italian Recipes

• Chicken Stuffed Shells
• Italian Sausage Stuffed Shells
• Italian Pot Roast
• Baked Spaghetti
• Baked Ziti
• Southern Spaghetti Sauce

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