Spaghetti And Meatballs(Caryn'S Favorite Meal!)
A hearty Italian-inspired dish featuring tender meatballs served over spaghetti with a rich tomato sauce. Flavored with herbs and garlic, it's perfect for family dinners or casual gatherings, offering comforting flavors and satisfying textures that appeal to all ages.
Ingredients
- meatballs ⓘ
- meatball meat ⓘ
- spaghetti ⓘ
- red sauce ⓘ
- boiling water ⓘ
- chicken roaster ⓘ
- 3/4 cup olive oil ⓘ
- 1 1/2 teaspoon rosemary ⓘ
- 2 tablespoon paprika ⓘ
- 2 cloves crushed garlic
- 1 tablespoon parsley ⓘ
- 1/2 teaspoon thyme ⓘ
- black pepper to taste ⓘ
- salt to taste ⓘ
- potatoes ⓘ
- 1 pound veal ⓘ
- mozzarella cheese ⓘ
Instructions
- Fry the veal for 2 hours until cooked through.
- Add the red sauce onto the veal in the frying pan and simmer briefly.
- Place the veal with sauce into an oven-safe dish, top with mozzarella cheese.
- Bake in the oven at 100°C for 30 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Cook spaghetti in boiling water until al dente.
- Serve the meat and sauce over cooked spaghetti with French fries on the side.
Tips & Substitutions
For extra flavor, consider adding grated Parmesan cheese to the meatballs or the red sauce. If you don’t have veal, ground beef or turkey can be good substitutes. To save time, use store-bought meatballs and red sauce. Adding a splash of white wine to the sauce enhances its depth. Fresh herbs like basil can elevate the dish further.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the spaghetti and meatballs with a side of Italian roasted potatoes for a hearty meal. A simple green salad with vinaigrette complements the richness of the dish. For beverages, consider pairing with a light red wine or sparkling water. This meal is perfect for family gatherings or casual dinners.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place in a saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally, until warmed through. You can also microwave individual portions, but be careful not to overheat, as this can dry out the meat.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Spaghetti And Meatballs(Caryn'S Favorite Meal!) contains roughly 1184 calories, with 9g protein, 11g carbohydrates, and 126g fat. It is a good source of iron (19% of the Daily Value), protein (17% of the Daily Value), and dietary fiber (14% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 864mg per serving (38% 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 make the meatballs ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the meatballs a day in advance. Just store them in the fridge and cook them when you're ready to make the dish. This will save you time on busy nights and allow the flavors to meld together.
What can I use instead of mozzarella cheese?
If you don’t have mozzarella, you can substitute with provolone or fontina cheese for a similar meltiness. Alternatively, a sprinkle of Parmesan on top will add a nice flavor, though it won’t melt in the same way.
How do I know when the spaghetti is done?
Spaghetti should cook until al dente, which means it should be firm to the bite. Check the package instructions for the recommended cooking time, but start tasting a minute or two before that time to avoid overcooking.
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).