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Tender, juicy meatballs simmered in a rich, savory tomato sauce, served over a bed of perfectly cooked spaghetti. A timeless Italian-American comfort food classic that the whole family will love.
For 4 servings
Prepare the Meatball Mixture
Form and Brown the Meatballs
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Tender, juicy meatballs simmered in a rich, savory tomato sauce, served over a bed of perfectly cooked spaghetti. A timeless Italian-American comfort food classic that the whole family will love.
This italian_american recipe takes 85 minutes to prepare and yields 4 servings. At 1300.41 calories per serving with 68.14g of protein, it's a moderately challenging recipe perfect for dinner or lunch.
Build the Tomato Sauce Base
Simmer the Sauce and Meatballs
Cook the Spaghetti
Serve and Garnish
Use ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option. For a classic flavor, use an equal mix of ground beef, pork, and veal.
Replace meat with a mixture of cooked lentils, finely chopped mushrooms, and breadcrumbs to form vegetarian 'meatballs'.
Substitute regular spaghetti with whole wheat, spelt, or your favorite gluten-free pasta.
Sauté finely chopped carrots, celery, or bell peppers along with the onion to sneak more nutrients and flavor into the sauce.
The combination of beef and pork provides high-quality protein, which is essential for muscle repair, growth, and overall body function.
Cooked tomatoes are a fantastic source of lycopene, a powerful antioxidant linked to a reduced risk of certain chronic diseases and known for promoting heart health.
The spaghetti offers complex carbohydrates, which are the body's primary fuel source, providing sustained energy to power you through your day.
The key is not to overmix the meat mixture and to use a binder like egg and soaked breadcrumbs (a panade). Chilling the formed meatballs for 15-20 minutes in the refrigerator before frying also helps them hold their shape.
Yes! For a healthier, less messy option, bake the meatballs on a wire rack set over a baking sheet at 400°F (200°C) for 15-20 minutes, or until browned. Then, add them to the simmering sauce to finish cooking.
Absolutely. The sauce and meatballs taste even better the next day as the flavors meld. You can store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or freeze them for up to 3 months. Cook the pasta fresh when you're ready to serve.
It can be part of a balanced diet. It's a good source of protein and lycopene from the tomatoes. However, it is typically high in calories, saturated fat, and sodium. To make it healthier, you can use leaner meats, whole wheat pasta, and add extra vegetables to the sauce.
A typical serving of this recipe contains approximately 800-950 calories, depending on the specific ingredients used, such as the fat content of the meat and the amount of cheese and oil.