Italian-American · pasta

Classic Spaghetti and Meatballs

Tender all-beef meatballs simmer directly in marinara while the spaghetti cooks for a dependable family dinner.

Total time45 min
Hands-on25 min
Cleanupmedium
Serves6
normalFamily-friendlynut-free
Spaghetti in tomato sauce topped with beef meatballs and grated cheese
Photo selected to represent the finished dish. Image credits.

Cook

Make dinner

  1. 01

    Mix the beef, egg, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, Italian seasoning, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and black pepper. Shape into 18 small meatballs.

  2. 02

    Heat the oil in a deep skillet over medium-high. Brown the meatballs in two batches, turning carefully, about 5 minutes per batch.

  3. 03

    Return all meatballs to the skillet, add marinara, cover, and simmer until the centers reach 160°F, 12 to 15 minutes.

  4. 04

    Meanwhile, boil the spaghetti until al dente. Drain, toss with some sauce, and serve topped with meatballs and parsley.

Make it work

Useful swaps

  • Ground turkey works; cook the centers to 165°F.
  • Use gluten-free spaghetti and breadcrumbs if needed.

Why this is a good weeknight call

The ingredient list stays focused, and the recipe has a clear stopping point instead of extra optional projects.