Spaghetti and Baked Meatballs

A meatball is ground meat rolled into a ball, sometimes along with other ingredients, such as bread crumbs, minced onion, eggs, butter, and seasoning. Meatballs are cooked by frying, baking, steaming, or braising in sauce. There are many types of meatballs using different types of meats and spices.

Is it better to bake or fry meatballs?

While pan-frying is the fastest way to cook meatballs, baking them is simple and can save you a few calories.

How long does it take to fully cook meatballs in the oven?

At 400°F, the meatballs only take about 25 minutes in the oven. You will know they're done when they're browned and the center is no longer pink, or the internal temperature will be 160°F

Make it

Spaghetti and Baked Meatballs

Ingredients for Baked Meatballs:

2 pounds lean ground beef

4 cloves garlic, minced

1 teaspoon dried basil

1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

1 teaspoon smoked paprika

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

1 large egg

1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese

3/4 cup Italian-style bread crumbs

1 tablespoon fresh Italian parsley, chopped

Black pepper to taste

Ingredients for Sauce:

1 medium onion, diced

4 cloves garlic, minced

56 oz crushed tomatoes, (from 2 - 28 oz cans)

2 bay leaves, optional

Salt & pepper, to taste

2 Tbsp fresh basil, minced

Other Ingredients:

1 lb spaghetti

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Line a 9 x 13 pan or baking sheet with nonstick parchment paper.

Combine all ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Mix thoroughly until ingredients are evenly distributed.

Using an ice cream scoop shape into 1 to 1.5-inch balls. Whatever size you choose, they should all be roughly the same size for even cooking.

Bake for 25 minutes. Serve hot.

How to Make Easy Marinara Sauce:

In a skillet over medium heat, add oil and saute onion stirring often until soft and golden (5 min). Add 4 cloves of minced garlic and stir for 1 min until fragrant.

Stir in 2 cans of crushed tomatoes and 2 bay leaves. Bring to a light boil (stir to make sure it's actually boiling and not just sending bubbles to the surface).

Partially cover with a lid or cover with a splatter screen to reduce splatter and cook at a gentle simmer for 25 min. Add meatballs into the pot with tomato sauce. Meatballs will be tender and the sauce will be thickened. stir in chopped fresh basil and season with salt and pepper to taste. Simmer for another 5 minutes and serve hot.

How to Make Spaghetti and Meatballs:

Cook pasta according to package instructions until aldente (or to the desired doneness), drain, and return to the empty pot.

Pour sauce and meatballs over spaghetti. You may garnish with parmesan cheese and fresh basil, and serve hot.

Enjoy, buen provecho!