This recipe for the Best Meatballs and Homemade Spaghetti Sauce is going to become a family favorite with the combination of pork and beef alongside classic Italian spices!
If pasta and Italian flavors are popular in your family, make sure you check out Creamy Chicken and Mushroom Pasta Recipe as well as this simple Potato Gnocchi Recipe with Proscuitto.
The Best Meatballs with Homemade Spaghetti Sauce
Spaghetti and meatballs is a classic dish loved by many. Being a pasta lover myself, this dish is impossible to resist. When my husband and I just got married I used to always make spaghetti and meatballs. Except the meatballs and sauce were store-bought. It’s definitely the faster route but not nearly as tasty. Making your own meatballs and sauce takes spaghetti and meatballs to a whole new level. The meatballs are so fluffy and flavorful I could eat them alone!
Ingredients for Best Meatballs & Spaghetti
Ground Pork
Ground Beef
Onions
Olive Oil
Breadcrumbs
Parmesan Cheese
Garlic
Salt
Black Pepper
Oregano
Thyme
Basil
Eggs
Tomatoes
Brown Sugar
How to Make the Meatballs
Begin by preparing the onions for your meat mixture. Cooking them first makes sure they provide a richer flavor. Combine the meatball ingredients together by hand or using a stand mixer if preferred. Form meatballs into small balls and cook as directed in the printable recipe below.
How to make Homemade Spaghetti Sauce
In the same skillet the meatballs were cooked in, add the sauce ingredients as directed and allow them to simmer for at least 40 minutes to build that rich flavor you desire. Add back the meatballs to the skillet with the sauce and cook as directed. Mix with cooked pasta and serve with freshly shaved Parmesan cheese on top.
More Classic Italian Recipes
Pasta is a great way to satisfy everyone at your dinner table. If your family loves the rich comforting flavors of Italian cuisine, then you will love this Chicken Lasagna Recipe. For a bit lighter fare, you may want to whip up this Antipasto Salad as a lighter lunch or starter for any meal. One of my personal favorites is this simple Margherita Pizza Recipe and hearty Zuppa Toscana.
Full Recipe Instructions
Best Meatballs and Homemade Spaghetti Sauce
Ingredients
- For the meatballs:
- 1 lb. ground pork
- 1 lb. ground beef
- 1/2 cup onion chopped
- 1/4 cup + 2 tbsp olive oil divided
- 1/2 cup bread crumbs
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 garlic clove grated
- 2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp dried thyme
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- 2 eggs
- 1/2 cup water
- For the sauce:
- 1 medium onion
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 2 28 oz San martzini pealed plum tomatoes (roughly chopped)
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp dried thyme
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh basil
- 4 tsp brown sugar optional
Instructions
- In a medium pan sauté 1/2 cup chopped onion in olive oil over medium heat.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine ground beef, ground pork, 1/2 cup bread crumbs, 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, 1 grated garlic clove, 2 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, 1/2 tsp dried thyme, 1/2 tsp dried oregano, and 2 eggs. Mix using the paddle attachment.
- Once the meat has come together, add 1/3 cup water. And mix once more.
- Using a cookie scoop, round the meatballs.
- In a large skillet heat 1/2 cup olive oil. Cook the meatballs over medium high heat until almost completely cooked. Then set aside.
- In the same skillet, sauté 1 chopped onion and 2 minced garlic cloves.
- Add the chopped plum tomatoes, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, 1/2 tsp dried oregano, 1/2 tsp dried thyme, 2 tbsp chopped fresh basil, and 4 tsp brown sugar (optional). Cook over medium low heat for 40 minutes.
- Add the meatballs and cook for another 40 minutes.
- Cook the pasta according to the package and add it to the meatballs.
Nutrition
This recipe was originally posted on March 7, 2016, we’ve tweaked it a bit since then.
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Laura says
HI Dina,
I have already tried your Tuscan chicken recipe and: my boyfriend loved it! Usually it is him who cooks, so I was a bit nervous but I have to admit, I also think it was delicious. I will now try this meatballs and homemade spaghetti sauce. What I can recommend to add to the sauce – this is how we eat it – is grated carrots and celery, a bit of red wine. Also I have heard – and can confirm – that using the salt water from the pasta for the sauce helps.
Thank you for you great recipes and your amazing blog!
Kind regards from Hungary!
simplyhomecooked says
Thank you so much for taking the time to write such a thoughtful recipe review, Laura! I will definitely need to try your version. It sounds so flavor-packed and delicious!
Matilda says
I absolutely loved the taste of the meatballs, they were scrumptious! It took a while to prepare and make, but it’s well worth the effort. It’s a big portion size too, so I’ve been able to freeze some of the meatballs to use in pasta sauce for later on. I’ll be using this recipe again in the near future. Thank you x
simplyhomecooked says
Matilda, thank you so much for your kind review! I’m thrilled to hear that you enjoyed the spaghetti and meatballs 🙂
Lara says
Made this last and it’s DELICIOUS! Thank you for the recipe! Love your blog!!! Keep posting for more. 🙂
simplyhomecooked says
Thank you Lara! I’m so happy you love my blog! Enjoy! Many more recipes coming 🙂
Olga Vorobey says
Made this today and it was absolutely delicious..Made it with pork & turkey instead of beef and also added mushrooms and peppers..Definitely making this again..Love your blog…good job..
simplyhomecooked says
Thank you Olga! So kind of you to leave such great feedback 🙂
Lidia says
That looks so yummy! Can’t wait to try it!
simplyhomecooked says
Thank you Lidia!