American Spaghetti and Meatballs with Tomato Basil Sauce

By Lauren Mitchell, Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-03-23 · Updated 2026-03-23

A classic American dish with homemade meatballs, spaghetti, and a fresh tomato basil sauce. This american-inspired pasta ready in about 60 minutes pairs spaghetti, ground beef, tomatoes for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 200g spaghetti
• 200g ground beef
• 300g tomatoes
• 1 tbsp basil
• 50g Parmesan cheese
• 2 tbsp olive oil

Instructions

1. Step 1: Form the 200g ground beef into 12–15 meatballs (about 1-inch diameter), season with salt and pepper, and cook in a large skillet over medium-high heat with 1 tbsp olive oil until browned on all sides, about 8–10 minutes. Tip: Use a non-stick pan to prevent sticking, and cook in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding.
2. Step 2: In a separate skillet, heat 1 tbsp olive oil over medium heat, add 300g tomatoes (diced into 1/2-inch cubes), and sauté until softened and starting to break down, about 5 minutes. Add 1 tbsp fresh basil, stir to combine, and cook for another 2–3 minutes until fragrant. Tip: If using canned tomatoes, drain them first to prevent excess moisture.
3. Step 3: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, add 200g spaghetti, and cook according to package instructions until al dente, about 8–10 minutes. Drain, then return to the pot. Tip: Add a drizzle of olive oil to the pasta water to prevent sticking.
4. Step 4: Add the browned meatballs to the cooked spaghetti, followed by the tomato basil sauce. Toss gently to coat the pasta evenly, ensuring the meatballs are well incorporated. Tip: If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of pasta water to loosen it.
5. Step 5: Transfer the spaghetti and meatballs to serving plates. Sprinkle 50g grated Parmesan cheese over the top. Tip: For a richer flavor, use freshly grated Parmesan instead of pre-grated.