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A delicious plate of Grandpa's Spaghetti & Meatballs topped with fresh herbs.

Grandpa's Spaghetti & Meatballs

This classic spaghetti and meatballs recipe is a heartwarming family favorite, perfect for busy weeknights or leisurely dinners, combining rich sauce, savory meatballs, and al dente spaghetti.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 650
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Sauce
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
  • 2 teaspoons dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon sugar (to balance acidity)
  • to taste Salt and pepper
For the Meatballs
  • 1 pound ground beef (or turkey for a lighter option)
  • 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • to taste Salt and pepper
For Serving
  • 12 ounces spaghetti
  • to taste Extra Parmesan cheese for garnish
  • to taste Fresh basil (optional) (for garnish)

Method
 

Making the Sauce
  1. In a large saucepan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté until soft, about 5 minutes.
  2. Toss in the minced garlic and stir until fragrant.
  3. Pour in the crushed tomatoes, oregano, sugar, and a sprinkle of salt and pepper. Let this concoction simmer for about 20 minutes.
Preparing the Meatballs
  1. In a bowl, mix the ground beef, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, parsley, egg, minced garlic, salt, and pepper.
  2. Form into meatballs (about 1 inch in diameter).
Cooking the Meatballs
  1. In a skillet over medium heat, add a little olive oil and brown the meatballs on all sides.
  2. Once golden, transfer them to the simmering sauce and let them cook through for another 15 minutes.
Cooking the Spaghetti
  1. While your meatballs are in the sauce, cook the spaghetti according to package instructions.
Serving
  1. Plate the spaghetti, top with meatballs, and drizzle with sauce.
  2. Sprinkle extra Parmesan and fresh basil for garnish.

Notes

Don't stress over presentation—imperfect meatballs still taste great! This dish can also be made ahead of time and frozen for easy future meals.