This Spaghetti and Meatballs recipe is the ultimate comfort food. Tender homemade meatballs simmered in rich tomato sauce and served over spaghetti. It’s hearty, easy to make, and perfect for busy weeknights or cozy Sunday dinners. Everyone will be asking for seconds!
Before You Cook, Read This!
💬 The Vibe: Cozy, nostalgic, and deeply satisfying. The kind of meal that tastes like home.
🔑 Pro Tip: Form meatballs the same size to ensure even cooking.
🍴 Serving Suggestion: Spoon generously over spaghetti with fresh basil and Parmesan.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Classic comfort food the whole family will love.
- Simple pantry ingredients.
- Ready in under an hour!
- Easily doubled for meal prep.
- Freezer-friendly and perfect for leftovers.
Ingredients You'll Need
- Ground Beef - Use 85/15 or 80/20 for juicy, flavorful meatballs. You can also swap in ground turkey or a mix of ground pork and beef.
- Bread Crumbs - Helps bind the meatballs and keep them tender. Use plain, Italian-style, or panko.
- Milk - Keeps the meatballs moist and soft. Whole milk is best.
- Onion - Finely chopped yellow or white onion adds sweetness and depth.
- Garlic - Two cloves minced (or more, if you're a garlic lover).
- Parmesan Cheese - Freshly grated Parmesan gives a salty, nutty flavor and helps bind the mixture.
- Egg - Acts as a binder to hold everything together.
- Oil - For pan-searing the meatballs. Use canola, vegetable, or olive oil.
- Salt & Ground Black Pepper - Season the meatballs and enhance all the other flavors.
- Pasta Sauce - Use your favorite jarred marinara or homemade Easy Homemade Pasta Sauce.
- Spaghetti Pasta - Cooked according to the package instructions.
👉🏾 See the recipe card below for exact quantities and full instructions.
How to Make Spaghetti and Meatballs
Mix the Meatballs: In a large bowl, combine ground beef, bread crumbs, milk, onion, garlic, Parmesan, egg, salt, and pepper. Mix just until combined.
Shape the Meatballs: Use a small cookie scoop or spoon to form evenly-sized balls. Aim for 1½-inch meatballs.
Sear the Meatballs: In a large pot, heat oil over medium-high. Add meatballs in batches and cook for 5–7 minutes, turning to brown on all sides. Remove and set aside.
Simmer in Sauce: Drain excess oil, add pasta sauce to the pot, and return meatballs. Simmer over low heat for 10–15 minutes until cooked through.
Cook Spaghetti: While meatballs simmer, boil spaghetti according to package directions. Drain.
Serve: Plate spaghetti and top with meatballs and sauce. Garnish with grated Parmesan and fresh herbs if desired. Enjoy!
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Recipe Tips & Variations
- Mix it up: Use a combo of ground beef and pork or try ground turkey for a leaner option.
- Make ahead: Meatballs freeze beautifully. Store raw or cooked meatballs in a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months.
- Cheesy upgrade: Add a cube of mozzarella in the center of each meatball before cooking for a fun surprise.
- Baked version: Prefer hands-off cooking? Bake meatballs on a parchment-lined baking sheet at 400°F for 15–20 minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! Shape the meatballs and store in the fridge for up to 24 hours or freeze for up to 3 months.
Use your favorite jarred marinara or try my Easy Homemade Pasta Sauce for an even more flavorful option.
Microwave gently or reheat on the stovetop with a splash of water or sauce. Pasta and meatballs reheat well when stored separately.
Storage Tips
- Refrigerate: Store meatballs and pasta in separate airtight containers for up to 4 days.
- Freeze: Freeze cooked meatballs (with or without sauce) for up to 3 months.
- Reheat: Warm on the stovetop, in the oven, or microwave until hot.
More Pasta Recipes You'll Love
- Chicken Enchilada Pasta
- 3 Ingredient Fettuccine Alfredo
- Easy Lasagna Recipe
- Baked No Meat Ziti
- Chicken Alfredo Pasta Bake
- Hamburger Casserole
Have any comments, questions, or more delicious ways to enjoy this simple to make Spaghetti and Meatballs? Please share them in the comments below!
📖 Recipe
Spaghetti and Meatballs
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- ½ cup bread crumbs
- ¼ cup milk
- ¼ cup onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 4 tablespoons vegetable oil (for frying)
- 24 ounces pasta sauce
- 12 ounces spaghetti pasta, cooked
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine 1 pound ground beef, ½ cup bread crumbs, ¼ cup milk, ¼ cup chopped onion, 2 cloves minced garlic, ¼ cup grated Parmesan, 1 large egg, 1 teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon ground black pepper.
- Shape into 1½-inch balls.
- In a large skillet, heat 4 tablespoons oil and sear meatballs in batches, turning until browned (5–7 minutes). Set aside.
- Add 24 ounces pasta sauce to the skillet, return meatballs, and simmer on low for 10–15 minutes.
- Cook 12 ounces spaghetti pasta as directed. Drain and serve with meatballs and sauce. Enjoy!
Notes
- Mix it up: Use a combo of ground beef and pork or try ground turkey for a leaner option.
- Make ahead: Meatballs freeze beautifully. Store raw or cooked meatballs in a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months.
- Cheesy upgrade: Add a cube of mozzarella in the center of each meatball before cooking for a fun surprise.
- Baked version: Prefer hands-off cooking? Bake meatballs on a parchment-lined baking sheet at 400°F for 15–20 minutes.
Original post date 04/03/2017. Updated 09/15/2022 & 05/23/2025.
Patricia says
Mmm! A classic and now a staple, too! So great that this adds a touch of convenience to the list of great things about it!
LaKita says
Thank you Patricia, so classic and convenient!
Veronika says
Nothing beats the good old classic spaghetti and meatballs. I really liked this recipe because it took less than 30 minutes to make. what a lifesaver for busy nights!
LaKita says
Thank you Veronika! It's so great for busy nights!!
Tracy says
A classic! Your recipe is so delicious, my family loved it. A new family favorite that's on rotation!
LaKita says
Thank you so much Tracy, happy to hear 🙂
Kristina says
This is a great recipe for the classic spaghetti and meatballs and I love that you give an option for quick sauce from a jar. I use a jar of sauce when I am too busy to prepare a homemade one. The homemade sauce is delicious and if you have the time, definitely make it!
LaKita says
Thank you Kristina and same!! Nothing wrong with using a jar of sauce if you don't have time 🙂
Kathryn says
This made the BEST dinner, the meatballs were so perfect and flavorful. We couldn't get enough of this! I can't wait to make this again, thank you so much!
LaKita says
Thank you Kathryn! Happy to hear the recipe was a success!!
Jamie says
This is one of my favorites, and I am so excited to make this for everyone. Yum!
LaKita says
Thank you Jamie, hope you enjoy!
Marta says
Spaghetti and meatballs is one of my childhood favorites but your version was ten times better than the one I grew up eating. The added parmesan really wowed us.
LaKita says
Thank you Marta, this definitely levels up my childhood version as well 🙂
Linda says
You are so right! This is a recipe that gets made time and again in my house because it's so quick and easy. Love the traditional spaghetti noodles and those yummy meatballs I just can't seem to get enough of.
LaKita says
Thank you Linda, I could not agree with you more!
Sonya says
Yum!!! I love spaghetti and meatballs, because it's an easy meal that's tasty.
admin says
Yes to all of that. I could not agree with you more!
Akaleistar says
Those meatballs look so good!
admin says
Thank you 🙂
Tamara says
I do like to experiment with different meats for meatballs, so it's heartening to know they all pretty much work. I'd love to try ground beef with ground turkey.
This recipe is a classic. I LOVE the photos.
admin says
Thank you so much! Yes I pretty much use whatever I have in my freezer and it always works. Although I have not tried the beef/turkey combo, will have to give that one a try 🙂