Spaghetti and Meatballs is a pasta dish consisting of spaghetti (a long, thin, and cylindrically shaped pasta that is of Italian origin) tomato sauce, and meatballs. The beauty of this dish is meatballs, of course!
Most recipes call for pan frying the meatballs before adding them to the sauce, but one of my best friend Ms.Erma shared this baked meatball recipe, baking them is a whole lot easier and so much healthier & delicious. So I tried, tested and it’s true.You can also choose between cooking meatball in the traditional method frying it in stove top, or popping it in the oven – either way, it’s delicious! The sauce was tangy, a bit sweet and full of flavor while the meatballs were extra tender and moist.
This is my family’s favorite, we all love this one and am sure it will be loved by kids and adults equally. Here is recipe for those who enjoys spaghetti and meatballs!
Recipe for Spaghetti and Baked Meatballs
Ingredients:
For the Meatballs:
Any Ground Meat (Beef /Pork/Lamb) : 1 lb /1/2 kg (Recipe call for beef and pork, but here I have used lamb)
Onion : 1 medium (finely chopped)
Fresh Breadcrumbs : 1 cup
Grated Parmigiano-Reggiano (Parmesan) : 1/2 cup
Worcestershire Sauce : 2 tsp
Garlic : 4 cloves (crushed and chopped)
Whole Milk : 1/4 cup
Parsley : 1/3 cup (finely chopped)
Oregano : 1 tbsp (finely chopped) or 1 tsp dried, (crumbled)
Black pepper : 1/4 teaspoon ( freshly grounded)
Egg : 1 large
Salt : 1 tsp
For the Sauce:
28-ounce cans whole peeled tomatoes in juice : 2 nos
Onion : 1 small (chopped)
Garlic : 2 cloves (chopped)
Parsley : 2 tbsp (chopped)
Dried Basil Leaves : 1 tsp or fresh Basil Leaves : 3 finely chopped
Oregano : 1/2 tsp
Paprika Powder : 1/2 tsp (optional)
Butter : 4 tbsp
Salt to taste
For Pasta :
Spaghetti : half of 1 box
Powdered Parmesan Cheese : 1/4 cup
Olive Oil : 1 tbsp
Fresh Parsley : 1 tbsp
Method of Preparation:
For Sauce:
1. Drain tomatoes, reserving juice in a large bowl. Crush tomatoes with your hands and add to juice.
2. Heat oil in a saucepan and add the chopped onions and cook until softened, about 8-10 minutes.
3. Add garlic and saute for couple of minutes; now stir in tomatoes with their juice,
4. Add salt and pepper powder and simmer sauce, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened, 45 minutes to 1 hour. Adjust the salt and set it aside.
For Meatballs:
1. Combine the milk and bread crumb in a bowl then mash together with a fork until smooth.
2. Add all the remaining ingredients except the ground meat and mash to combine.
3. Add the ground meats to bread mixture gently mixing with your hands until just combined (Note : Do not overmix).
4. To make uniform sized meatballs, use a medium scoop. This recipe yields about 20-25 meatballs, depending on the size of your scoop. (Note : If you don’t have a scoop, feel free to free form a round small golf size balls about 2 inch in diameter).
5. Place your meatballs in a single layer on a baking sheet and cover with plastic wrap.
6. Chill them in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes (Note : You can even make them up to a day in advance)
7. Arrange the balls with dampened hands in a greased baking tray then preheat oven to 400 degrees F/200 degree C.
8. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until the meat balls turn slightly brown all over.
9. Add this meatballs to the tomato sauce prepared and gently simmer, covered, stirring occasionally, until cooked through, 20 to 30 minutes.(Note : If it’s too thick, you can add little water accordingly)
Cooking and Serving Pasta :
1. While the meatballs are cooking , Cook spaghetti in large pot of boiling salted water until just tender but still firm to bite, stirring occasionally. Drain and risne with cold water . Toss with little olive oil.
2. Using slotted spoon, transfer meatballs to platter. Add pasta to sauce in pot and toss to coat.
3. Divide pasta among plates. Top each serving with meatballs. Sprinkle meatballs with freshly grated parmesan cheese and fresh parsely on top.
4. Serve warm and Enjoy!
Notes :
- Meatballs can be made and simmered in sauce 5-6 days ahead and chilled (covered once cool).
- Meatballs with sauce can be frozen in an airtight container or in sealable bags up to 2 months.
Recipe Source : My Friend Ms.Erma Rodriguez.
Happy Cooking!
Sangeetha
Hi Liya, Was too buys with some other things…but i'm back in action now:)
This recipe calls for 2 cans (28 oz each). I haven't tried with fresh tomatoes for this recipe,however I have seen recipes with fresh tomatoes puree…so it should be ok. Give it a try and do revert me with your feedback!
Cheers!
Sangeetha
Hi Sangeetha,
Why no new posts? Eagerly waiting for a recipe from you , new one …
I wanted to try this one. I bought all the required ingredients. I have a question.. Do we need 1 can or 2cans?
I have one 28 ounce can of tomatoes with me.. Can we use fresh tomatoes?
Please reply.
Thanks,
Liya.
You're welcome! I'm glad you liked this recipe. Hope you get to try this recipe soon.Good luck!
Cheers!
Sangeetha
This picture just makes my mouth water! I am already craving for spaghetti and meatballs! This dish is just amazing. It is not only tasty and very satisfying but it is also an easy to prepare dish. Thank you for sharing your recipe. I really prefer baked meatballs from fried ones because we get rid of the oil. Anyway, thank you again.
@ Nima..You are welcome dear! I'm happy to hear that it came well fot u and u all you liked it 🙂 these baked meatballs were a huge hit here :-)Thanks Nima for letting me know this..Happy Cooking!
sangeetha, meatball recipie superb…i tried it for yday evening dinner…and it was awesome…i used to shallow fry the meat balls before…i think baking is the best…i have to make this for few guest next weekend…it was a trial run yday and my husband really liked it…thank you or sharing…
Thanks everyone..Really appreciate your time !
Baked meatball version sounds good..
superb clicks and it looks so tempting and delicious…will surely try this sometime..:)
Mouthwatering….
Lovely clicks!
I am very impressed by the variety on you blog.. really wonderful. I hae never tried making meatballs at home… you make it sound so wondefully easy..!! and congrats on the Kerala Kitchen win.!!
Lovely combo. Wonderful recipe. Looks delicious and tempting.
Beautiful pics and delicious Spaghetti:)
Event:Herbs and Flowers – Mushrooms
Beautiful clicks..looks so perfect n yumm!!
this is truly delicious ..yummy one
Ithu adipoli aanallo..kandittu kothiyavunnu..mouthwatering recipe and super clicks..
Just so perfect ..I would love with chicken 🙂
Wonderful platter…Can have this delectable dish anytime, love those baked meatballs, truly irresistible..
That looks so delicious…
what a meal that's ALWAYS good! Looks like you made it perfectly!
My daughter fav meat balls and pasta this looks so so good.
will try ur recipe sometime…looks so delicious..my son gonna luv this
I love this and ur version look very authentic….thx for the recipe
That is one hearty meal:) lovely presentation and the colours and flavours really show the layers of fabulous tastes:))
Reva
Drooling here.your blog name apt for the situation.Those tempting clicks has done the magic!!
ithu kollamallo dear.adipoli.kandittu kothiyavunnu:)
aaha, lovely- am thinking of veg & paneer koftas in sphagetti- ur clicks are a winner !
Spaghetti with meatballs is my sons fav looks delicious.
A classic so perfectly recreated 🙂
Loved the spaghetti picture very much 🙂
US Masala
Awesome combination of spaghetti with meatballs. No wonder they look so inviting. Great preparation.
Deepa
Hamaree Rasoi
incredible pictures! Lovely post! A meatballs fans' dream I'll bet 🙂
interesting meatballs! nice click!
Mouth watering recipe……looks good..
happy to be your 300th follower 🙂
i tasted this in restaurants only..never tried at home…now i got the recipe…thanx dear..yours look so delectable n the pictures are very tempting 🙂 super…