I call this recipe Easy Spaghetti and Meatballs because I’m using a jar of one of my favorite marinara sauces rather than the homemade I usually make!! After realizing I didn’t have fresh basil, I had already planned on the meatballs, I was happy to find I had jars of marinara in my pantry. I didn’t want to run to the store so it worked out great! And easy! I used Rao’s Homemade Marinara Sauce. Here’s the link if your not familiar: https://www.amazon.com/Raos-Homemade-Marinara-Sauce-24-Ounce/dp/B004TQPJAM. Use your favorite sauce, you don’t have to use my choice, I just happened to have this on hand and like it.
I think Spaghetti and Meatballs is a great dish when it’s cold and the weather is bad. It’s just one of those cozy comfort foods. Make your favorite garlic bread, add a green salad with a good vinaigrette and your meal is complete. This is a meal you can make ahead, either the day before or the morning of your dinner. Additionally, he meatballs and sauce freeze well.
The meatballs are homemade and delicious! They are loaded with spices, lots of parmesan cheese along with 3 meats, ground beef, ground pork and Italian sausage. I used hot Italian Sausage but use mild if you prefer. I simmer the meatballs in the jarred sauce for about an hour to allow the flavors to come together.
Easy Spaghetti and Meatballs
After your initial recipe, these meatballs make the perfect meatball sub. I make them all the time with my leftover meatballs. Just get a good French bread, toast it on both sides with a little butter (just the insides) heat your leftover meatballs, then add mozzarella. Place them under the broiler until your cheese has melted! A delicious sub!
Another use for the leftover meatballs and marinara is a delicious Leftover Meatballs Lasagna. Here’s the recipe: https://the2spoons.com/leftover-meatballs-lasagna/.
Easy Spaghetti and Meatballs
Don’t forget to finish your dish with shaved parmesan or Parmigiano Reggiano as I did in this case. Parmigiano Reggiano is a little expensive but I think it’s well worth it. A small portion last a while. The rind left is perfect for adding to soups or pasta sauces too.
A couple of tips before you start your recipe. Always save a little pasta water when to help with your sauce. Never rinse your pasta. And, always dress your pasta with some of the sauce first, then complete your final dish.
Here’s the recipe!! Enjoy
Easy Spaghetti and Meatballs
Ingredients
For the Meatballs
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 lb ground pork
- 2 links Italian Sausage or 1/2 pound ground (I used hot)
- 1 cup Italian Bread Crumps (I used Progresso)
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp fresh Italian Parsley (Use dried if you don't have fresh)
- 1 1/2 tsp oregano
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 5 small eggs or 3 large or extra large
- 1 1/2 cup finely grated parmesan cheese
- 3 tbsp olive oil for frying the meatballs
For the Final Spaghetti and Meatballs
- 1 recipe Meatballs
- 2 jars of your favorite marinara sauce or other sauce-
- 1/2 jar water
- 1 lb spaghetti
- Parmesan or Parmigiano Reggiano for serving
Instructions
- Combine all of the ingredients for the meatballs (except he olive oil) and using your hands, thourly combine. Form each meatball in a unifor 1/2 cup portion.
- Heat the oil in a large skillet. When medium hot add the meatballs. Cook on one side, then turn to all other sides to brown each side.
- Meanwhile, empty the jars of marinara into a large saucepan. Add 1/2 jar of water to the sauce. Heat the sauce. As the meatballs are browned, add them to the sauce. When all the meatballs have been removed and added to the sauce, I ladle some of the sauce into the skillet and deglaze the pan, then pour that into the sauce with the meatballs.
- Simmer the meatballs in the sauce for about an hour. you could lessen the time, but I really like the meatballs to absorb the sauce.
- Bring a large pot of water heavily salted to boil. Add the spaghetti and cook for about 20 minutes. I like my pasta fairly sauce, more than al dente but cook the spaghetti to your desired doneness.
- When the spaghetti is done, using tongs, remove the spaghetti to a large serving bowl, reserving some of the pasta water. You can drain the pasta, do not rinse, but reserve some of the water. Ladle some of the sauce over the spaghetti adding a little of the pasta water and toss until well coated. Plate the pasta into 4 serving plates. Top with some of the meatballs, more of the sauce and the parmesan cheese. Bon Appetite.