Homemade Spaghetti and Meatballs

Welcome to a classic recipe that will make you feel like you’re at your grandma’s house. It’s comfort food at its best, and is a wonderful meal for gathering around a table filled with family and friends.

This meal is definitely for gathering.

• Homemade Italian Meatballs
• The Best Marinara Sauce
• Served over spaghetti noodles or sautéed veggies
• Plus a slice of French bread or Focaccia Bread and a garden salad!

Ingredients needed for homemade meatballs:

• Ground Beef – I recommend using 80-85% lean ground beef. Any leaner will result in a tough meatball, and that is absolutely no bueno.
• Ground Pork – I rotate between using a mild pork, a sweet one, and my favorite, a spicy ground pork! Use whatever you like best.
• Eggs – Two eggs help the meatballs stick together, without using any other binder.
• Onion and Garlic – Mince your onion and garlic super fine, especially for picky eaters.
• Parmesan Cheese – Shred your own cheese. Tastes better and it’s actually cheaper.
• Breadcrumbs – I used Italian breadcrumbs. If you are into using homemade breadcrumbs, you will need more binder like milk.
• Spices – Red pepper flakes, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Staples in my kitchen.
• Water – The cold water adds amazing moisture to these meatballs.

Ingredients needed for marinara sauce:

• Olive Oil – For sautéing the veggies, and for flavor.
• Onion & Garlic – These are the only two fresh veggies, and we’ll sauté them in olive oil.
• Crushed Tomatoes – The quickest way to make sauce is to buy the crushed. BUT, you could buy whole tomatoes and then crush them yourself.
• Diced Tomatoes – I prefer the fire-roasted tomatoes always, but you can always use regular, or mild.
• Tomato Paste – 3-4 Tablespoons is just right for this recipe.
• Chicken Broth – Some of this will cook down during the process.
• Sugar – Just a pinch to balance all the acidity from the tomatoes.
• Spices – Basil, Italian Seasoning, and kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper.

How to make Italian meatballs:

1. Preheat oven. Set your oven to 375 degrees for starters. Prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Mince veggies. Mince your onion and garlic very finely. Your picky eaters won’t notice them, but WILL notice the amazing flavor they provide.
3. Combine ingredients. In a large mixing bowl, combine all ingredients. Use your hands to gently mix everything together.
4. Form meatballs. Then form meatballs. Use your hands and try not to over handle. Over-handling results in tough meatballs. Lay meatballs on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
5. Bake. Bake meatballs for approximately 20 minutes. Check to make sure they are cooked through, and bake for a few more minutes if needed.
6. Serve. Serve meatballs with homemade marinara, curry, pasta, veggies, or whatever you like.

How to make homemade marinara sauce:

1. Sauté veggies. In a medium stock pot, sauté the onions in a little olive oil over medium heat. When the onions are soft and translucent, add the garlic and stir for another 30 seconds or so.
2. Add remaining ingredients. Then add all the tomatoes (crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, and tomato paste), the chicken broth, sugar, and spices. Bring to a boil, and then reduce heat to a simmer.
3. Cook. Continue cooking the sauce for about 20-25 minutes, or until the sauce cooks down slightly.
4. Test. Taste the marinara sauce, and add more seasonings, if desired.
5. Serve. Serve this homemade sauce over meatballs, veggies, and/or pasta. Enjoy!

Other delicious Italian meals for gathering:

• Classic Lasagna Roll Ups – Lasagna noodles layered with a three cheese mixture, followed by a meat and tomato combo, all rolled up and then topped with spaghetti sauce and more cheese.
• Butternut Squash Lasagna with Spinach – An amazing fall casserole combining lasagna noodles with a creamy butternut squash sauce and a cheesy spinach layer.
• Classic Chicken Parmesan Recipe – Lightly sautéed in oil, and then finished off in the oven. So good!

Kitchen Tools used for this recipe: (Affiliate Links)

• Dutch Oven – I used my Dutch Oven for this recipe, but any pan will work just fine.
• Global 7-inch Knife – My favorite knife.
• Baking Sheet – Used to bake the meatballs.
• Parchment Paper Baking Sheets – Fits the baking sheet perfectly.

Try this Italian recipe next: Classic Chicken Parmesan Recipe

Please let know if you try this recipe. Be sure to comment and leave a review on the blog so I can see what you think. You can also like my Facebook Page, follow me on Pinterest, and catch me on Instagram.

xoxo ~Sue