Meat Balls With Spaghetti
Savory meatballs served with a rich tomato sauce and spaghetti, perfect for family dinners or casual gatherings, featuring classic flavors and hearty comfort.
Ingredients
- 1 onion, chopped ⓘ
- 3 Tbsp. shortening ⓘ
- 1 (No. 2) can tomatoes (2 1/2 c.) ⓘ
- 2 (6 oz.) cans tomato paste ⓘ
- 2 c. water ⓘ
- 1 Tbsp. sugar ⓘ
- 1 tsp. salt ⓘ
- 1/2 tsp. pepper ⓘ
- 1 bay leaf ⓘ
- 1 lb. ground beef ⓘ
- 1/2 lb. sausage
- 1 c. fine, dry bread crumbs ⓘ
- 1/2 c. grated Parmesan cheese ⓘ
- 1 sprig parsley, chopped ⓘ
- 1 clove garlic, minced ⓘ
- 1/2 c. milk ⓘ
- 2 well-beaten eggs ⓘ
- salt and pepper ⓘ
Instructions
- Cook the chopped onion in hot shortening until golden.
- Add the tomatoes, tomato paste, water, sugar, salt, pepper, and bay leaf to the onion.
- Simmer the sauce slowly for 1 hour to develop flavors.
- Meanwhile, prepare the meatballs by mixing ground beef, sausage, bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese, chopped parsley, minced garlic, milk, and beaten eggs.
- Form the mixture into meatballs and cook them in hot oil until browned and cooked through.
- Serve the meatballs with the hot tomato sauce over cooked spaghetti.
Tips & Substitutions
For a richer sauce, consider adding a splash of red wine while simmering the tomato mixture. If you don't have ground beef, ground turkey or chicken can be used as a lighter substitute. For the meatballs, stale bread can be used instead of fine, dry bread crumbs, or even oats for a gluten-free option.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the meatballs over a bed of spaghetti, garnished with additional grated Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley. A side of garlic bread and a simple green salad pairs beautifully with this dish. For a twist, try serving with a side of Slo-Cooker Spaghetti for a full Italian-inspired meal.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftover meatballs and sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place the meatballs and sauce in a saucepan over low heat until warmed through, or microwave in a covered dish, stirring occasionally to ensure even heating.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Meat Balls With Spaghetti contains roughly 1605 calories, with 24g protein, 100g carbohydrates, and 135g fat. It is an excellent source of iron (222% of the Daily Value), vitamin C (196% of the Daily Value), and dietary fiber (107% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 955mg per serving (42% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I freeze meatballs and sauce?
Yes, you can freeze meatballs and sauce together or separately. Allow them to cool completely before transferring to freezer-safe containers. They can be stored for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
How can I make the sauce thicker?
To thicken the sauce, you can simmer it longer to reduce the liquid or add a tablespoon of cornstarch mixed with water to achieve the desired consistency. Another option is to blend in a small amount of cooked tomato paste.
What can I use instead of sausage?
If you prefer not to use sausage, you can replace it with an equal amount of ground beef or turkey, or consider adding finely chopped vegetables like mushrooms or zucchini for added flavor and texture.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).