Traditional Spaghetti and Meatballs
This classic spaghetti and meatballs recipe is perfect for a cozy autumn dinner. It's budget-friendly and uses pantry staples to create a delicious, satisfying meal everyone will love.
Ingredients
- 1 pound spaghetti
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 large egg
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1/2 teaspoon sugar
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
Method
- In a large bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, egg, garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper.
- Mix until just combined and shape into 1-inch meatballs.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add meatballs and cook until browned on all sides, about 6-8 minutes. Remove from skillet and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add onion and cook until soft, about 3-4 minutes. Stir in tomato paste and cook for another minute.
- Add crushed tomatoes and sugar to the skillet, stirring to combine. Bring to a simmer.
- Return meatballs to the skillet. Cover and simmer for 25-30 minutes, until meatballs are cooked through.
- Meanwhile, cook spaghetti according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- Stir fresh basil into the sauce. Serve meatballs and sauce over spaghetti, garnished with additional Parmesan if desired.