Despite its Italian roots, Spaghetti and Meatballs is on the list of many Americans’ ultimate comfort foods.
A cherished comfort meal, spaghetti and meatballs may appear Italian; however, its origins are a delightful mix of Italian and American influences. This hearty dish first emerged when Italian immigrants came to the United States. Upon their arrival in America, these immigrants carried their customs with them, while also adjusting their recipes to suit ingredients and situations.
In Italy, meatballs, known as polpette, are usually smaller and served as a side dish or in soups rather than on top of pasta. However, once in America, Italian families discovered an abundance of meat and the affordability of pasta, prompting them to combine the two into a satisfying and budget-friendly meal.
The fusion of meatballs and spaghetti topped with tomato sauce quickly gained popularity within American communities before spreading to mainstream American cuisine. These days, spaghetti and meatballs serve as a symbol of Italian heritage and remain a beloved dish for families worldwide.
One of the best things about spaghetti and meatballs is their incredible versatility and variety. Everyone has their favorite sauce and cheese to top the dish with, and in this recipe, you’ll find marinara sauce and shredded Parmesan cheese. Let’s dig in!
Is Spaghetti and Meatballs Healthy?
Spaghetti and meatballs can be a healthy option when made with the right ingredients. The pasta offers a source of carbs for energy, and you could always choose to swap to whole-grain spaghetti for added fiber. For the meat, choose lower-fat ground beef, such as 80/20 or 90/10 (meaning only 20% or 10% fat). You can also use ground turkey or make Chicken Meatballs, so you get a healthy dose of protein with less fat.
Meanwhile, the marinara sauce is made with tomatoes, providing us with vitamin A and lycopene, for immunity and skin health. If you’d like to skip the jarred sauce, you can make your own using FFF’s Instant Pot Tomato Sauce.
What is Marinara?
Spaghetti sauce, marinara sauce, tomato sauce… are they all the same? Essentially, yes. A marinara sauce is a tomato-based sauce made with tomatoes, onions, herbs, and garlic. There are variations, but that is the base. You may hear it called spaghetti sauce, marinara sauce, or tomato sauce, but they usually mean the same thing.
INGREDIENTS
- 1 large egg
- 3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 pound ground beef
- 3/4 cup plain breadcrumbs
- 24 ounces marinara sauce
- 12 ounces spaghetti
INSTRUCTIONS
Prep
Set oven, mix meatball ingredients, form meatballs.
Bake
Cook meatballs until browned.
Combine
Simmer meatballs in sauce, toss with spaghetti.
Devour!
FAQs & Tips
Spaghetti and meatballs taste even better when leftover. The flavors become more intense, and the sauce soaks into the noodles. Yum! Store leftover spaghetti and meatballs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. You can also freeze the leftovers in an air-tight container for up to 3 months.
Traditionally, a plate of spaghetti and meatballs won’t have much heat or spice to it. Still, many people enjoy spicing up their dishes. For spaghetti and meatballs, it is recommended that if you would like a little more pizzazz, sprinkle on some red pepper flakes. It goes well with the tomato sauce and will give you just a touch of heat.
Certainly. If you are on a keto or low-carb diet, regular spaghetti made with wheat isn’t a good option. However, you can still follow the recipe and enjoy spaghetti and meatballs using carb-free pasta, such as these zucchini noodles in FFF’s Zucchini Noodles with Tomato Sauce.
Serving Suggestions
What should you serve with your spaghetti and meatballs? If you love the classics, go for garlic bread. You can whip it up quickly by broiling Texas toast brushed with melted butter and sprinkled with garlic salt. Or, skip the garlic and serve warm Cauliflower Bread with butter.
Salads always go well with a hearty pasta dish. Try this Classic Caprese Salad, Balsamic Grilled Vegetable Salad, or Broccoli Cranberry Salad for a refreshing side dish. Caesar salad is a classic favorite as well, and bruschetta makes a nice appetizer before you serve your spaghetti and meatballs.
Spaghetti and Meatballs
Ingredients
- 1 large egg
- 3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 pound ground beef
- 3/4 cup plain breadcrumbs
- 24 ounces marinara sauce
- 12 ounces spaghetti
Instructions
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Preheat your oven to 350°F and prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper.
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In a bowl, combine egg, parsley, oregano, salt, pepper, garlic, Parmesan, ground beef, and breadcrumbs. Mix until just combined, then form into 1 1/2-inch meatballs.
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Place meatballs on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 20 minutes or until browned and cooked through.
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While meatballs bake, warm marinara sauce in a large skillet over medium heat.
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Cook spaghetti in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente, then drain.
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Add baked meatballs to the marinara sauce and simmer for 10 minutes to blend flavors.
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Toss the cooked spaghetti with the meatballs and sauce, then serve with additional grated Parmesan.
Nutrition
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