Description
A hearty Italian-American staple featuring tender meatballs in rich tomato sauce, served over al dente pasta. Creamy, savory, and packed with comforting flavors.
Ingredients
1 lb (450g) ground beef (80/20 lean-to-fat ratio) or ground turkey/plant-based protein
1/2 cup breadcrumbs (fresh or gluten-free)
2 large eggs or 1 cup mashed chickpeas (for binding)
4 minced garlic cloves
1 medium onion (for sauce), diced
2 cans (28 oz total) crushed tomatoes
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp oregano
1 tbsp fresh parsley (chopped)
1 tsp salt (for mixture and sauce)
1 cup grated cheese (Parmesan or nutritional yeast for vegan option)
12 oz spaghetti
4 cups water (for pasta)
Salt (for boiling water)
Instructions
Combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, eggs, garlic, oregano, parsley, and salt in a large bowl
Form mixture into 1.5-inch meatballs using wet hands
Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat; brown meatballs until no longer pink
In a large pot, sauté onion in olive oil until softened
Add crushed tomatoes, oregano, parsley, and salt to the pot; bring to a simmer
Gently place browned meatballs into sauce
Simmer uncovered over low heat for 30 minutes
Stir in grated cheese during the final 5 minutes
Boil water in a pot; add salt, then spaghetti
Cook pasta to al dente (around 8-10 minutes)
Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, then drain
Toss cooked spaghetti with meatball sauce and reserved water until glossy
Notes
Substitute ground turkey or plant-based protein for beef
Use gluten-free breadcrumbs for dietary restrictions
Chickpeas bind vegan meatballs (add 1/4 tsp baking powder for fluffiness)
Reserve pasta water for optimal sauce consistency
Leftovers freeze well for up to 3 months
Adjust cheese type for dietary needs (vegan, dairy-free)
- Prep Time: 30
- Cook Time: 90
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 1/2 cups (with meatballs and sauce)
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 230mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 65mg
