Spaghetti and meatballs
Classic Italian-American dinner
Our spaghetti and meatballs in tomato sauce is a dish you can make again and again, and it is always a success.
It is not only delicious, but also very easy to make, which makes it perfect for busy weeknights or for those evenings when you do not feel like spending too much time in the kitchen.
Simple and quick
What makes this dish so nice is that you do not need much time for preparation. The meatballs are easy to make with ground beef, spices, Parmesan cheese, and a little breadcrumbs. The tomato sauce is just as quick to prepare. What makes it even easier is that everything comes together in one pan. While the meatballs cook in the sauce, you can cook the spaghetti. Before you know it, dinner is on the table. All you have to do is wait a little while.
Kid friendly
This dish is not only popular with adults, but with kids as well. The tender meatballs and the mild tomato sauce make it very approachable for children. You can even prepare it together. After all, what kid does not enjoy rolling meatballs?
Serve with a fresh salad
To complete the meal, you can serve a fresh salad on the side. The crisp vegetables create a nice contrast with the soft pasta and the rich tomato sauce. Think of a caprese salad or a simple salad with arugula, cucumber, and cherry tomatoes with a light vinaigrette. That way you have a balanced meal that is quick, tasty, and wholesome.
Spaghetti and meatballs
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 2–3 servings 1x
Description
Spaghetti and meatballs with tender homemade meatballs in a rich tomato sauce. A classic Italian-American dinner.
Ingredients
- 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
- 10 oz ground beef
- 6 oz spaghetti
- 1/2 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 onion
- 1 beef bouillon cube (0.36 oz)
- 1 egg
- 2 tablespoons breadcrumbs
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- Fresh chives, optional
- Olive oil
Instructions
- Finely chop the onion and mince the garlic. Heat a splash of olive oil in a skillet over medium heat and cook the onion and garlic briefly until fragrant.
- Add the diced tomatoes together with 2/3 cup water. Crumble in the beef bouillon cube and add 1 teaspoon dried oregano. Let the sauce simmer gently.
- For the meatballs, mix the ground beef with the egg, Dijon mustard, just under 1/2 cup finely grated Parmesan, dried oregano, garlic powder, nutmeg, breadcrumbs, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Form meatballs of about 1 oz each.
- Add the meatballs to the sauce. Cover the pan and let them simmer on low heat for at least 20 minutes.
- Cook the spaghetti until al dente and mix it with the sauce. Let it simmer uncovered for a few more minutes until the sauce reaches the desired thickness.
- Serve with extra Parmesan cheese and, if you like, some fresh chives or parsley.
Notes
We’ve made meatballs in tomato sauce before, but that time as tapas!
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Boiling, Sautéing
- Cuisine: American, Italian
