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.
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How to Make Spaghetti and Meatballs
Step 1: Make the Meatballs
- 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.
- Mix them together using your hands until everything is well combined.
- Shape the mixture into small to medium-sized meatballs and set aside on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Cook the meatballs in batches in 3-4 tablespoons of olive oil in a medium-sized pan over medium-high heat.
- 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.
- 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
- 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.
- 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.
- Add your meatballs to the skillet.
- Cook the meatballs covered for 15-20 minutes over low heat to thicken and allow the flavors to come together.

Want to Save This Recipe, Boo?
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
Want to Save This Recipe, Boo?
Equipment
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.
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
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
Make sure you measured all your ingredients and didn’t leave anything out. Also, you need to mix the seasoned meat with your hands. This is the most efficient way to fully mix everything together and also makes the meat stick together better. The eggs and breadcrumbs are essential ingredients to keep your meatballs together so avoid making substitutions as you may not get the same results.
Yes, you can. Just note that I find you don’t get quite the same color on the exterior in the oven! Here’s how to do it. Shape them into balls and place them on a well-sprayed baking pan. Bake them at 350° F turning several times to brown the different sides. The time it takes to fully cook the meatballs will vary depending on the size of your balls.
Use the package directions as a guide. I usually try to check the pasta about 2 minutes before the instructions say to cook for al dente. Remove one strand of spaghetti from the water using a pasta spoon or a fork. Bite into it. It should have just a small amount of bite to it but not feel overly firm.
More Italian Recipes
- Chicken Stuffed Shells
- Italian Sausage Stuffed Shells
- Italian Pot Roast
- Baked Spaghetti
- Baked Ziti
- Southern Spaghetti Sauce
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Touche did I just type Meddle for “Middle”
Jocelyn, don’t we know it about those grocery budgets that look like former single career girls shoe budgets! How are you doing? Pity they are not out here in the Meddle East!
Gosh it is hard to stick to budgets especially when you need specialty items.
I’ve read a couple of these Aldi posts and the store looks awesome! We don’t have them out here, but I am always trying to shop around for a deal!
Gosh I hope you get them soon girl!
Nothing like a delicious meatball! Too bad we don’t have an Aldi here in RVA yet!
Well I hope you get one soon so you can see experience all the savings!
I’ve been reading lots of positive reviews about Aldi and that really made me want to visit one. Too bad, there’s none around here, but that will be on my to-go list. 🙂 Your spaghetti meatballs definitely looks so comforting. Nom nom!
Yes Aldi has amazing prices. Where do you live? and thank you so much!
I wish we had an Aldi closer! Your homemade dinner looks easy and delicious!
PS Can’t wait for your cookbook!!!
Hooray thanks so much Krystle! Aww I wish Aldi was closer to you too. Where do you live?
Ugh, this looks sooooo good.
mm, mm, MMPH
Hooray thanks so much!
I love Aldi! and this recipe looks delicious! spaghetti and meatballs is such a comfort food for me!
It is such a comfort meal for me too. And so easy to make too!
Love spaghetti and meatballs and love shopping at aldi! Great place to save a bit!
Indeed! I didn’t realize how many people love Aldi as much as I do!
love spaghetti and meatballs .. and hey, what’s not to love about saving money?! LOVE ALDIs!!!
Yep the saving money part is incredible to me! I can’t believe how much money you save!