Spaghetti and Meatballs
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When it comes to family dinner, nothing beats a bowl of spaghetti and meatballs—easy enough for weeknights, special enough for Sunday supper.
This is my go-to recipe for spaghetti and meatballs. It’s perfect for busy weeknights and always a hit with the whole family (even the picky eaters). The meatballs are juicy, flavorful, and fork-tender—the kind that keep everyone coming back for seconds.
To save time and cut down on mess, I brown the meatballs in the oven on a sheet pan instead of pan-frying them on the stove. I also use a good-quality store-bought marinara (Rao’s is my favorite), but if you have homemade tomato sauce on hand, by all means use it.
For more family-friendly Italian meatball recipes, try my turkey meatballs or chicken piccata meatballs—both family favorites.
“I don’t think I’ve ever commented on a recipe in my 40+ years of life but OMG!! These meatballs were fantastic…My husband said they even rival my Sicilian mother-in-law’s so that’s saying something!!”
What You’ll Need To Make Spaghetti and Meatballs
- Ground meat: The most flavorful meatballs (and meatloaf) come from a blend of beef, pork, and veal (often sold as “meatloaf mix”). If your store doesn’t carry it, use half beef and half pork (veal can be hard to find).
- Egg & water: Help bind the meatballs and keep them moist.
- Breadcrumbs & cheese: Italian-style breadcrumbs (like Progresso) for texture, plus freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano for rich, nutty flavor. Be sure to use authentic Parmigiano-Reggiano imported from Italy — you can spot it by the rind, which is embossed with the name. If it’s pre-grated, check the label to make sure it says “Parmigiano-Reggiano,” not just “Parmesan.” Domestic Parmesan is milder and can’t compare in flavor.
- Garlic, herbs & seasoning: Minced garlic adds savory depth; basil and parsley keep things fresh; oregano gives that classic Italian note. Don’t forget salt and plenty of freshly ground black pepper to make all the flavors pop.
- Marinara sauce: Go for a good-quality brand (I love Rao’s) for the best flavor.
- Spaghetti: The classic pasta pairing—cook until al dente so it holds up well to the sauce.
- Jump to the printable recipe for precise measurements
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Start the meatball mixture. In a large bowl, combine the egg, basil, parsley, oregano, salt, pepper, garlic and water; whisk well.
Step 2: Mix in the meat, breadcrumbs, and cheese. Add the meatloaf mixture, seasoned breadcrumbs and Parmigiano Reggiano to the wet ingredients and mix with your hands until evenly combined.
Step 3: Form the meatballs. Roll the mixture into golf ball–sized meatballs and place them on an ungreased, unlined baking sheet. Direct contact with the pan helps them brown and makes flipping easier—on foil, they’re more likely to stick.
Step 4: Bake. Pop the meatballs in the oven for about 10 minutes, then pull out the baking sheet and use a metal spatula or tongs to turn them. They may stick a little, so you’ll need to nudge the spatula underneath to loosen them. Return the meatballs to the oven and bake for another 10 minutes, until they’re nicely browned and almost cooked through.
Step 5: Simmer the meatballs. While the meatballs finish baking, bring the marinara sauce to a simmer in a large skillet. Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed (I usually add a good pinch of sugar and some freshly ground black pepper). Add the browned meatballs to the sauce, leaving the fat behind, then cover loosely with a lid or foil and let them simmer for about 10 minutes, until the flavors come together and the meatballs are cooked through. Keep warm until ready to toss with pasta.
Step 6: Cook the Spaghetti. While the meatballs simmer, bring a large pot of well-salted water to a boil. Drop in the spaghetti and cook until al dente, then drain in a colander—but be sure to save a cup of the cooking water in case you want to loosen the sauce later.
Step 7: Toss and serve. Add the drained pasta to the skillet with the meatballs and sauce, tossing everything together until well coated. If the sauce looks a little tight, splash in some of the reserved pasta water to loosen it up. Divide among bowls and finish with fresh basil and plenty of grated cheese.
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Spaghetti & Meatballs
This spaghetti and meatball recipe is the ultimate weeknight family dinner—quick, easy, and picky eater-approved!
Ingredients
- 1 large egg
- 3 tablespoons finely chopped fresh basil (plus more for serving)
- 3 tablespoons finely chopped fresh parsley
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ cup water
- 1½ pounds ground "meatloaf mix" (approximately equal parts ground beef, pork and veal)
- ¾ cup dried Italian style bread crumbs (such as Progresso)
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese (plus more for serving)
- Large jar (32 oz) good quality Marinara sauce (such as Rao's)
- 1 pound spaghetti
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and set an oven rack in the middle position.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the egg, basil, parsley, oregano, salt, pepper, garlic and water. Add the meat, breadcrumbs and cheese and mix until just combined (your hands are the best tool). Do not overwork it.
- Roll the mixture into golf ball-sized meatballs and place on an ungreased baking sheet. Bake for about 10 minutes, then remove the baking sheet from oven and use a metal spatula to turn the meatballs (they will stick a bit but should release easily when you scrape under them with the spatula). Put the meatballs back in the oven and cook for another 10 minutes, until they are nicely browned and almost cooked through.
- In the meantime, bring the marinara sauce to a simmer in a large skillet. Taste it and adjust the seasoning if necessary (I usually add a healthy pinch of sugar and some freshly ground black pepper). Transfer the browned meatballs to the marinara sauce, leaving the fat behind. Cover loosely with a lid or foil and simmer for about 10 minutes, until the flavors marry and the meatballs are cooked through. Keep warm until ready to toss with pasta.
- While the meatballs are cooking, bring a large pot of well-salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook until al dente. Reserve about a cup of the cooking water, then drain. Toss the pasta with the sauce and meatballs (you may find it easier to do this in the pasta pot rather than the skillet, depending on the size of your pans). If the sauce seems dry, add a splash of the reserved pasta water to loosen it. Serve topped with fresh basil and more grated cheese.
- Freezer-Friendly Instructions: The cooked meatballs can be frozen, in their sauce, for up to 3 months. When ready to serve, defrost overnight in the refrigerator and reheat on the stovetop until the meatballs are hot in the center.
Pair with
Nutrition Information
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- Per serving (6 servings)
- Calories: 731
- Fat: 29 g
- Saturated fat: 10 g
- Carbohydrates: 78 g
- Sugar: 11 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 37 g
- Sodium: 897 mg
- Cholesterol: 116 mg
This website is written and produced for informational purposes only. I am not a certified nutritionist and the nutritional data on this site has not been evaluated or approved by a nutritionist or the Food and Drug Administration. Nutritional information is offered as a courtesy and should not be construed as a guarantee. The data is calculated through an online nutritional calculator, Edamam.com. Although I do my best to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures should be considered estimates only. Varying factors such as product types or brands purchased, natural fluctuations in fresh produce, and the way ingredients are processed change the effective nutritional information in any given recipe. Furthermore, different online calculators provide different results depending on their own nutrition fact sources and algorithms. To obtain the most accurate nutritional information in a given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe, using your preferred nutrition calculator.
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Try Naninasgourmetsauce.com. They have about 5 or 6 varieties. You won’t be disappointed. The best bottled sauce local to New Jersey. I also bake my meatballs and if you do it at 450 degrees for a few minutes each side you will get the crispness without frying! I also use 1 to 2 eggs per pound so one to 1 1/2 lbs not eniough.
The most protected meatball secret? Marshmallow. No joke. Add 6 – 10 marshmallows (depending on your sweet tooth) to the ground meat. It binds the meat better than egg and gives them a “springy” “chewy” texture…it’s a well guarded secret in authentic kitchens across Italy.
Jimmy, that is so bizarre I am gonna have to try it!!! Thanks!
Jimmieeeee,
MARSHMALLOWS in MB”s ???????
Must really be a very well garded secret in Italy and in USA. Never Ever heard nof this. But you gave me my chuckle for the day, thanks my friend.
Stay Well.
You need to try Nanina’s sauce if you don’t make your own. I also do it similar but no onions or oregano. just old italian brakd soaked in water or just dredged and grated on a hand grater. Mixed dry bread crumbs. Romano only not parmesean. I also don’t use the mixed meat which is a popular blend in our supermarkets on the east coast.
Looks delicious. I am always interested in getting new and exciting recipes. Especially recipes for crowds.
Thank You
No water in them, milk and an egg to bind. Baking them is the way to go. Perfect everytime. FRying, no way. They still get carmelized on the baking sheet. Much easier.
I make my own sauce and meatballs and this recipe is similar but I cook my meatballs in the sauce. So roll them and put them in raw they cook in a couple of hours and take on the added flavor of the sauce.
I’m with you Ron. My Italian Aunt’s recepe is not baking or frying, just put them in the sauce and cook. Tryed both baking and frying, and just boiling in the sauce give more flavor to to the gravy. Don’t over roll them and plop them in gravey not stiring for 10 minutes so they don’t break. I don;t like them to hard.
I also don’t fry or bake my meatballs Ron.They cook long enough in the sauce,so there is no bacteria..never got sick, don’t need the extra fat from frying. My mom was born in Naples & came here when she was 19.Her father was a chef. I know how to cook Italian, never use a jar sauce. I always enjoyed cooking.
I’ve been making meatballs like this for years. I use romano cheese, and egg yolks only. I use stale bread soaked in milk instead of bread crumbs. I also make mine a little bigger, that way it’s a little more economical usually one (maybe) two per person. My husband calls my meatballs, “softballs,” lol………….
My Mother-in-Law (WONDERFUL Italian Lady) taught me how to make her delicious! mbs about five years ago. She had always fried but switched to baking for health (fat) reasons. They taste just as good (maybe better) as before. Her recipe is remarkably close to yours, right down to the water. When I have the time, I make my own gravy, either marinara, meat or seafood following her recipe again. I usually make close to two gallons at a time, then divide it into the type of gravy. For the meat I use beef, pork or wild game (venison, moose or elk). I store it in separate containers in the freezer and we have it over whole wheat pasta at least once a week!
why bother making good meatballs only to throw them into a bottled sauce. Make the sauce!! oil garlic, onion, paste, a lamb bone and tomatoes.
This recipe lost all credibility when it said “use a quality store bought sauce.” Store bought spaghetti sauces are ALL nasty. I wouldn’t feed them to my dog.
Don’t knock it til you try it…Rao’s is actually quite good! Also, this is meant to be an easy weeknight dinner — lots of people don’t have time to make a homemade sauce 🙂
You’re right… we buy this Great sauce at Costco “Victoria Marinara Sauce” (White Linen Collection ) specially with those meat balls put in it … It is amazing my husband was wooing and awing one of the best meatballs he has ever had and I say the best…
Carmen
Ditto
You have never tried Rao’s arrabiatta sauce. I have always made homemade sauce but my grandson who is a pasta sauce critic, loves Rao’s so I always have a jar on hand for those times I don’t have any homemade sauce and feel like having spaghetti and meatballs.