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Spaghetti and Meatballs

A comforting and classic Italian-American dish with juicy meatballs simmered in rich tomato sauce, served over al dente spaghetti.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Italian
Calories: 550
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the meatballs
  • 1 pound Ground beef or ground chicken Ensure halal certification
  • 1/2 cup Bread crumbs
  • 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated Omit for a dairy-free version
  • 1 large Egg
  • 2 cloves Garlic, minced
  • 1 small Onion, finely chopped
  • 1 teaspoon Salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon Pepper
For the sauce
  • 1 can Crushed tomatoes 28 ounces
  • 1/2 cup Water
  • 2 tablespoons Olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon Basil, dried
  • 1 teaspoon Oregano, dried
For the pasta
  • 12 ounces Spaghetti

Method
 

Cooking the Spaghetti
  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside in a warm place.
Making the Meatballs
  1. In a large bowl, combine the ground beef (or chicken), bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese, egg, minced garlic, chopped onion, salt, and pepper. Mix gently until just combined.
  2. Roll the mixture into meatballs, about 1-2 inches in diameter. You should get around 15-18 meatballs.
Browning and Saucing
  1. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the meatballs in batches, being careful not to overcrowd the pan, and brown them on all sides (about 5-7 minutes).
  2. Once the meatballs are browned, add crushed tomatoes, water, basil, and oregano to the skillet. Bring to a simmer and cover. Cook for about 15-20 minutes, until the meatballs are cooked through and the sauce thickens.
Combining and Serving
  1. Add the cooked spaghetti directly into the skillet, tossing it with the sauce and meatballs. Serve hot, garnished with additional Parmesan cheese and fresh basil if desired.

Notes

For substitutions, feel free to use ground turkey or lamb as alternatives to ground beef. Timing is crucial for best results; let the meatballs brown properly before adding the sauce to enhance the flavor. Avoid overmixing the meatball mixture to ensure they remain tender.