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Home » Recipes » Main Dishes

Modified: Jan 9, 2025 · Published: Sep 15, 2022 by LaKita · This post may contain affiliate links.

Spaghetti and Meatballs Recipe

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overhead view of spaghetti and meatballs in white bowl topped with parsley beside a fork

This quick and easy Spaghetti and Meatballs Recipe is simple but the perfect comforting meal the entire family is sure to love. Classic meatballs, pasta sauce, and spaghetti pasta, what's not to love!

For more simple and delicious pasta recipes, be sure to also try making Fettuccine Alfredo and Cheesy Chicken Enchilada Pasta. Also if you want to try making homemade pasta sauce as well, try making my recipe for Easy Homemade Pasta Sauce.

overhead view of white bowl of spaghetti and meatballs topped with parsley beside a fork

You know what it's like when you have a recipe that has become a standard because it works so well. It's the kind of recipe that you've made so many times that you could make it in the kitchen with your eyes closed (I don't recommend trying that).

This kind of recipe does not even have to be hard to make, just one that you make really well and everyone is impressed with it each time. That is exactly how I feel about my spaghetti and meatballs recipe. It's a staple in my house and a go-to recipe when I want to make something hearty and delicious.

The meatballs are made using ground beef, but I have also substituted ground turkey and a mixture of ground pork and sausage as well. Basically, use any kind of meat that you prefer and it'll still turn out just as well. Remember it's your kitchen and you can do whatever you want to do.

But back to these meatballs, you can make them in any size that you want and feel free to add in more or less of the seasonings as you prefer. In other words, you really cannot mess this recipe up. If you decide to give it a try, then be sure to let me know how it turns out for you.

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  • Ingredients You'll Need
  • Instructions
  • Storage
  • More Recipes You'll Love
  • 📖 Recipe

Ingredients You'll Need

ingredients needed for spaghetti and meatballs in separate bowls on marble surface
  1. Beef - Ground beef is needed to make the meatballs. Try using a mix that is at least 16% to 25% fat for the best meatballs. You may also substitute half of the ground beef for ground pork or ground sausage.
  2. Bread Crumbs - Only need half a cup to help the ingredients bind together and form the meatballs. You may use homemade, plain, or Italian-style bread crumbs for this recipe.
  3. Milk - Use whole milk to help make the meatballs to remain tender and juicy.
  4. Onion - Chop a yellow or white onion into small even pieces to add to the meat mixture for additional flavor.
  5. Garlic - Add two cloves of minced garlic to the meat mixture, if you prefer more, then you may add more.
  6. Parmesan Cheese - Try to use freshly grated Parmesan cheese instead of the bag version as it will combine so much easier.
  7. Egg - A single large egg is needed to help the meatballs stick together and not fall apart.
  8. Cooking Oil - Use any cooking oil that you prefer. I prefer to use vegetable or canola oil.
  9. Salt and Ground Black Pepper - Provides a bit of spice and keeps our meatball from tasting flat. Try to be mindful of the amount of salt because there will be more salt in the sauce as well as the spaghetti pasta cooked in salty water.
  10. Sauce - Needed to finish off the meatballs and serve them with the spaghetti. Use your favorite sauce or make your own.
  11. Spaghetti Pasta - Pairs with the meatballs to create spaghetti and meatballs. Cook according to the instructions on the package.

See the recipe card below for exact ingredient quantities.

Instructions

Begin the recipe by mixing together in a large bowl the ground beef, bread crumbs, milk, onion, garlic, Parmesan cheese, egg, salt, and ground black pepper. Mix until all of the ingredients are fully combined.

ingredients to make meatballs in glass mixing bowl

Using your hands or a small cookie scoop, form the meatballs into small bite-size balls. Try to make each meatball about the same size, using a cookie scoop or measuring spoon certainly helps with this.

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raw meatballs on parchment lined baking sheet

In a large deep pot over medium-high heat, add the cooking oil and heat thoroughly. Add half of the meatballs and turn often on each side to make sure they evenly cook, about 5 to 7 minutes before carefully removing. Continue the process with the rest of the meatballs. If you need to add more oil, you may do so before adding the second batch.

cooked meatballs on parchment lined baking sheet

Once finished cooking all of the meatballs, prepare a homemade sauce in the same pan or carefully drain the oil from the pot and add your favorite jar of sauce.

meatballs added to pan with pasta sauce

Add the meatballs to the sauce and simmer on low heat for about 5 to 10 minutes, until the meatballs are heated throughout. Serve with cooked spaghetti pasta and enjoy!

finished meatballs and sauce in pan covered with parsley

Storage

Refrigerator - Store any uneaten leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days and reheat before serving. You may store the meatballs, sauce, and spaghetti pasta separately or mix them all together and store them in one container as well.

Freezer - The cooked and cooled meatballs (with or without the sauce) can be stored in the freezer as well in a freezer-safe container or freezer bag for up to 3 months. When ready to serve, remove them from the freezer and allow them to thaw in the refrigerator overnight or for at least a few hours before heating to serve.

close up side view of spaghetti and meatballs in white bowl beside a fork

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  • Easy Lasagna Recipe
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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

bowl of spaghetti and meatballs beside a fork on marble surface

Spaghetti and Meatballs Recipe

LaKita Anderson
This quick and easy Spaghetti and Meatballs Recipe is simple but the perfect comforting meal the entire family is sure to love. Classic meatballs, pasta sauce, and spaghetti pasta, what's not to love!
5 from 10 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes mins
Cook Time 30 minutes mins
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 6
Calories 506 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound ground beef
  • ½ cup bread crumbs
  • ¼ cup milk
  • ½ medium onion, 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
  • 24 ounces pasta sauce
  • 12 ounces spaghetti pasta, cooked

Instructions
 

  • Begin the recipe by mixing together in a large bowl the 1 pound ground beef, ½ cup bread crumbs, ¼ cup milk, ½ medium chopped onion, 2 minced garlic cloves, ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese, 1 large egg, 1 teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon ground black pepper. Mix until all of the ingredients are fully combined.
  • Using your hands or a small cookie scoop, form the meatballs into small bite-size balls. Try to make each meatball about the same size, using a cookie scoop or measuring spoon certainly helps with this.
  • In a large deep pot over medium-high heat, add the 4 tablespoons of vegetable oil and heat thoroughly. Add half of the meatballs and turn them often on each side to make sure they evenly cook, about 5 to 7 minutes before carefully removing. Continue the process with the rest of the meatballs. If you need to add more oil, you may do so before adding the second batch.
  • Once finished cooking all of the meatballs, prepare a homemade sauce in the same pan or carefully drain the oil from the pot and add 24 ounces of your favorite jar of sauce.
  • *{Homemade Sauce Recipe} To make a quick pasta sauce, use the same pot and pour in a 28 ounce can of crushed tomatoes, 2 tablespoons tomato paste, 1 tablespoon of minced garlic, 1 tablespoon basil, ½ tablespoon dried oregano, ½ tablespoon dried rosemary, and salt and ground black pepper to taste. Bring the sauce to a low boil on medium heat, then reduce heat, cover and simmer for 10 minutes to allow the flavors to come together.
  • Add the meatballs to the sauce and simmer on low heat for about 5 to 10 minutes, until the meatballs are heated throughout. Serve with 12 ounces cooked spaghetti pasta and enjoy!
Calories: 506kcalCarbohydrates: 57gProtein: 26gFat: 19gSaturated Fat: 7gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 90mgSodium: 1134mgPotassium: 739mgFiber: 4gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 590IUVitamin C: 9mgCalcium: 117mgIron: 4mg

The provided nutritional information is an estimate per serving. Accuracy is not guaranteed.

Keyword spaghetti and meatballs
Tried This Recipe?Leave a comment below or tag @simplylakita on social!

Original post date 04/03/2017. Updated 09/15/2022.

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Comments

    5 from 10 votes (2 ratings without comment)

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    Recipe Rating




  1. Patricia says

    October 11, 2022 at 10:10 am

    5 stars
    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!

    Reply
    • LaKita says

      October 12, 2022 at 10:05 pm

      Thank you Patricia, so classic and convenient!

      Reply
  2. Veronika says

    September 26, 2022 at 7:50 am

    5 stars
    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!

    Reply
    • LaKita says

      September 26, 2022 at 5:30 pm

      Thank you Veronika! It's so great for busy nights!!

      Reply
  3. Tracy says

    September 23, 2022 at 10:09 am

    5 stars
    A classic! Your recipe is so delicious, my family loved it. A new family favorite that's on rotation!

    Reply
    • LaKita says

      September 23, 2022 at 11:03 am

      Thank you so much Tracy, happy to hear 🙂

      Reply
  4. Kristina says

    September 23, 2022 at 6:46 am

    5 stars
    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!

    Reply
    • LaKita says

      September 23, 2022 at 11:03 am

      Thank you Kristina and same!! Nothing wrong with using a jar of sauce if you don't have time 🙂

      Reply
  5. Kathryn says

    September 21, 2022 at 10:47 am

    5 stars
    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!

    Reply
    • LaKita says

      September 23, 2022 at 11:02 am

      Thank you Kathryn! Happy to hear the recipe was a success!!

      Reply
  6. Jamie says

    September 21, 2022 at 3:01 am

    5 stars
    This is one of my favorites, and I am so excited to make this for everyone. Yum!

    Reply
    • LaKita says

      September 23, 2022 at 11:01 am

      Thank you Jamie, hope you enjoy!

      Reply
  7. Marta says

    September 19, 2022 at 8:47 pm

    5 stars
    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.

    Reply
    • LaKita says

      September 23, 2022 at 11:01 am

      Thank you Marta, this definitely levels up my childhood version as well 🙂

      Reply
  8. Linda says

    September 19, 2022 at 4:20 pm

    5 stars
    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.

    Reply
    • LaKita says

      September 19, 2022 at 5:45 pm

      Thank you Linda, I could not agree with you more!

      Reply
  9. Sonya says

    April 12, 2017 at 10:10 am

    Yum!!! I love spaghetti and meatballs, because it's an easy meal that's tasty.

    Reply
    • admin says

      April 14, 2017 at 1:54 pm

      Yes to all of that. I could not agree with you more!

      Reply
  10. Akaleistar says

    April 09, 2017 at 9:26 pm

    Those meatballs look so good!

    Reply
    • admin says

      April 10, 2017 at 10:45 am

      Thank you 🙂

      Reply
  11. Tamara says

    April 04, 2017 at 9:58 am

    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.

    Reply
    • admin says

      April 04, 2017 at 10:33 pm

      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 🙂

      Reply
Head shot bio photo of LaKita in an orange shirt.

Hi, I'm LaKita. I'm a Lifelong home cook and self-taught baker. I've been sharing modern comfort food through food blogging, recipe development, and photography since 2013.

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