Description
Mouthwatering Italian Classic “spaghetti & meatballs” delivers comforting flavor in each perfectly twirled bite. Rich marinara sauce and tender meatballs create a memorable dinner experience you’ll savor with pure culinary delight.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 pound ground beef (or a mix of beef & pork)
- 1 large egg
Herbs & Seasonings:
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon dried basil (or 1 tablespoon fresh basil)
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Main Ingredients:
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (for cooking)
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (14-ounce) can crushed tomatoes (or tomato sauce)
- ½ teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ cup heavy cream (or half-and-half for a lighter version)
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ ounce spaghetti
- 1 tablespoon salt (for boiling water)
- Fresh basil or parsley
- Extra Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Combine ground beef with breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan, beaten egg, minced garlic, salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, and chopped parsley in a spacious mixing bowl, thoroughly blending ingredients until a uniform mixture forms.
- Gently shape the meat mixture into compact, uniform spheres approximately 1 inch in diameter, ensuring consistent size for even cooking.
- Warm olive oil in a expansive skillet over medium temperature, allowing the oil to shimmer and distribute evenly across the cooking surface.
- Carefully place meatballs into the heated skillet, allowing each sphere to develop a rich, golden-brown exterior by rotating periodically during the 5-7 minute cooking process.
- Once meatballs have achieved a robust caramelized appearance and are cooked through, transfer them to a separate plate, preserving their warmth and preventing overcooking.
- The browned meatballs are now prepared for integration into your preferred sauce or pasta preparation, ready to contribute their robust flavor and tender texture to the final dish.
Notes
- Choose lean ground beef (85/15 or 90/10) for a healthier meatball with less grease and better texture.
- Grate fresh Parmesan instead of using pre-packaged cheese for deeper, more authentic flavor that enhances the overall dish.
- Use fresh herbs like parsley and garlic for maximum taste impact, which elevates the meatballs from good to restaurant-quality.
- Consider adding a splash of milk or ricotta to the meat mixture for extra tenderness and moisture, preventing dry meatballs.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 710
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 850 mg
- Fat: 36 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 64 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 37 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg