Simmered Spaghetti with Tomato-Braised Meatballs

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-19 · Updated 2026-04-19

Tender meatballs slow-cooked in a rich tomato sauce, served over perfectly al dente spaghetti for a classic comfort meal. This Italian-American-inspired pasta recipe, ready in about 80 minutes, pairs spaghetti, all-purpose flour, fresh breadcrumbs for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 650 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

• 12 oz spaghetti
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup fresh breadcrumbs
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley
• 1 large egg
• 1/2 lb ground beef
• 1/2 lb ground pork
• 1/4 cup onion
• 2 cloves garlic
• 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 (28-oz) cans crushed tomatoes
• 1/4 cup tomato paste
• 1/4 cup red wine
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
• 2 tbsp fresh basil
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

The Dutch oven we’d braise this in → Best Dutch Ovens for 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Prepare meatballs: In a bowl, combine 1/2 cup all-purpose flour, 1/2 cup fresh breadcrumbs, 1/4 cup grated Parmesan, 1/4 cup chopped parsley, 1 large egg, 1/2 lb ground beef, 1/2 lb ground pork, 1/4 cup finely chopped onion, and 2 minced garlic cloves. Mix until combined, then form into 1.5-inch balls. Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat, brown meatballs on all sides for 5 minutes total, then set aside.
2. Step 2: Make sauce: Add 1/4 cup olive oil to the same skillet, sauté 1/4 cup chopped onion until translucent (3 minutes). Add 2 minced garlic cloves and cook until fragrant (1 minute). Stir in 2 (28-oz) cans crushed tomatoes, 1/4 cup tomato paste, 1/4 cup red wine, 1 tsp dried oregano, and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes. Simmer uncovered for 10 minutes.
3. Step 3: Simmer meatballs: Add browned meatballs to sauce, cover, and simmer for 30 minutes. Cook spaghetti in salted water for 8 minutes until al dente, reserving 1/2 cup pasta water. Drain spaghetti and toss with sauce, adding reserved pasta water as needed to coat.
4. Step 4: Serve: Top with 2 tbsp chopped fresh basil and 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese.