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Close-up of homemade spaghetti and meatballs topped with chunky marinara sauce, freshly grated Parmesan cheese, and parsley over perfectly cooked spaghetti.

Homemade Spaghetti and Meatballs

This Homemade Spaghetti and Meatballs recipe is the ultimate comfort food made with juicy baked meatballs, rich homemade marinara sauce, and perfectly cooked spaghetti. Easy enough for busy weeknights yet impressive enough for Sunday dinner, this family-favorite Italian-American classic is packed with flavor, freezer-friendly, meal-prep approved, and guaranteed to become a regular in your dinner rotation.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Italian
Servings 6
Calories 715 kcal

Ingredients
  

For The Meatballs

  • 2 lbs ground beef (80/20)
  • 1 cup Italian breadcrumbs
  • ½ cup whole milk
  • 2 large eggs
  • ¾ cup Parmesan cheese freshly grated
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 tbsp parsley chopped
  • 1½ tsp salt
  • ½ tsp ground black pepper

For The Marinara Sauce

  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 medium yellow onion minced
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 28-oz can crushed tomatoes
  • 2 15-oz can tomato sauce
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 1 tsp dried basil
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ¼ tsp ground black pepper
  • ¼ tsp red pepper flakes optional
  • 1 tsp granulated sugar
  • ¼ cup basil chopped

For Serving

  • 1 lb pasta cooked
  • Parmesan cheese
  • Parsley chopped
  • Basil chopped

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  • In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, milk, eggs, Parmesan, garlic, parsley, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix gently until just combined.
  • Roll into approximately 24 evenly sized meatballs and arrange on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 18–20 minutes, until lightly browned.
  • While the meatballs bake, heat olive oil in a large sauté pan or Dutch oven over medium heat.
  • Add onion and cook for 5–6 minutes until softened.Stir in garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
  • Add tomato paste and cook for 1–2 minutes.
  • Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, Italian seasoning, basil, salt, pepper, crushed red pepper flakes, and sugar if desired.
  • Simmer for 10 minutes.
  • Add the baked meatballs to the sauce and simmer for an additional 20–30 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, cook spaghetti in generously salted boiling water until al dente. Reserve 1 cup pasta water before draining.
  • Toss spaghetti with the sauce or serve the sauce and meatballs over the pasta.Garnish with Parmesan, parsley, and basil before serving.

Notes

Estimated Nutrition (Per Serving)

  • Calories: 715
  • Protein: 39g
  • Carbohydrates: 48g
  • Fat: 39g
  • Saturated Fat: 14g
  • Cholesterol: 160mg
  • Fiber: 5g
  • Sugar: 10g
  • Sodium: 980mg
  • Potassium: 1,080mg
  • Calcium: 250mg
  • Iron: 6mg
Nutrition values are estimates and may vary depending on the brands and ingredients used.
Keyword ground beef, spaghetti and meatballs