Family-Style Spaghetti with Homemade Meatballs
A vibrant pasta dish featuring plump herb-infused meatballs in a garlicky tomato sauce, served with a sprinkle of fresh basil. This italian-inspired pasta ready in about 75 minutes pairs ground beef, ground pork, fresh bread crumbs for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 520 calories and feeds 6, 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
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1/2 lb ground pork
- 1/2 cup fresh bread crumbs
- 1 egg
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley
- 2 cloves garlic
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 28 oz can diced tomatoes
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 12 oz spaghetti
- 1/4 cup fresh basil
Instructions
- Step 1: In a bowl, mix 1 lb ground beef, 1/2 lb ground pork, 1/2 cup fresh bread crumbs, 1 egg, 1/4 cup minced parsley, 2 minced garlic cloves, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper until combined.
- Step 2: Form mixture into 1.5-inch meatballs and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake at 400°F (200°C) for 15 minutes until golden and cooked through.
- Step 3: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 2 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 4: Stir in 28 oz diced tomatoes, 2 tbsp tomato paste, and 1 tsp dried oregano. Simmer for 20 minutes until thickened.
- Step 5: Add baked meatballs to sauce and simmer for 10 minutes to meld flavors. Meanwhile, cook 12 oz spaghetti in salted boiling water until al dente (8-10 minutes).
- Step 6: Drain spaghetti, toss with 1/4 cup fresh basil, and serve topped with meatballs and sauce.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Family-Style Spaghetti with Homemade Meatballs take to make?
Total time is about 75 minutes (30 min prep + 45 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Family-Style Spaghetti with Homemade Meatballs?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep ground beef from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Family-Style Spaghetti with Homemade Meatballs?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Family-Style Spaghetti with Homemade Meatballs for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Family-Style Spaghetti with Homemade Meatballs?
Italian pasta like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★☆
Tasty recipe. I'd add a bit more seasoning next time.
- ★★★★☆
Tasty recipe. I'd add a bit more seasoning next time.
- ★★★★☆
Enjoyable meal. Instructions could be a touch more detailed on the timing.
