Creamy Meatballs Spaghetti Recipe: A Cozy Italian Comfort Classic

Comfort meets culinary magic in this classic meatballs spaghetti recipe that delivers pure satisfaction.

Tender, juicy meatballs nestle perfectly in a velvety, rich sauce that clings to every strand of pasta.

Each bite promises a delightful blend of hearty meat and smooth, creamy textures.

The secret lies in carefully selected ingredients and a time-honored cooking technique.

Home cooks adore this straightforward yet impressive dish that transforms simple components into an extraordinary meal.

Families gather around the table, eagerly twirling their forks and savoring every delectable mouthful.

Prepare to tantalize your taste buds with this irresistible pasta perfection.

Creamy Spaghetti & Meatballs: Batch Standouts

• Savor Homemade Comfort: Dive into a classic dish that brings warmth and nostalgia with every bite, perfect for satisfying those hearty comfort food cravings.
• Master Easy Cooking Techniques: Learn simple steps to create restaurant-quality meatballs and a luxurious creamy sauce without complicated cooking methods.
• Crowd-Pleasing Family Meal: Delight everyone at the table with a universally loved combination of tender meatballs, perfectly cooked pasta, and rich, velvety sauce.
• Customize with Ease: Adapt the recipe by switching meats, adjusting seasonings, or adding extra herbs to make it uniquely yours while keeping the core deliciousness intact.

Ingredients for Creamy Spaghetti & Meatballs

• Ground Beef, Ground Pork: A combination of meats that provides rich flavor and juicy texture for the meatballs.
• Mozzarella Cheese: Adds moisture and a creamy, stretchy element to the meatball mixture.

• Egg: Helps bind the meatball ingredients together and provides structure.
• Breadcrumbs, Parmesan Cheese: Create a tender texture and add depth of flavor to the meatballs.
• Herbs, Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance the overall taste of the meatballs.

• Marinara Sauce: The base of the creamy sauce that provides a classic tomato flavor.
• Butter, Heavy Cream: Create a rich and smooth sauce with a luxurious mouthfeel.
• Onion, Garlic: Aromatics that build a deep, savory foundation for the sauce.
• Sugar: Balances the acidity of the tomato sauce.
• Flour: Used to create a slurry that thickens the sauce.
• Spaghetti: The classic pasta that serves as the perfect base for the creamy sauce and meatballs.

Cooking Directions for Saucy Pasta & Meatballs

Step 1: Prepare Hearty Meatball Mixture

In a large mixing bowl, crack an egg and whisk it with a blend of fresh herbs like basil and parsley.

Add minced garlic, salt, and black pepper.

Incorporate ground beef and ground pork into the mixture.

• Breadcrumbs
• Grated parmesan cheese
• Finely chopped onions

Gently combine ingredients and roll into uniform meatballs using your hands.

Step 2: Roast Meatballs to Golden Perfection

Preheat oven to 350°F.

Place meatballs on a lined baking sheet.

Bake for 10 minutes, then flip each meatball carefully.

Continue baking for another 10 minutes until they develop a beautiful golden-brown exterior.

Step 3: Create Luxurious Creamy Sauce

Melt butter in a large skillet.

Sauté diced onions until translucent.

Add minced garlic and cook briefly.

Pour in marinara sauce, a touch of sugar, and heavy cream.

Let the sauce simmer and develop rich flavors for 2-3 minutes.

Step 4: Enhance Sauce Consistency

Whisk flour with water to create a smooth slurry.

Slowly stir into the sauce to thicken.

Season with additional herbs, salt, and pepper to taste.

Step 5: Combine and Finish Dish

Cook spaghetti until al dente.

Add pasta directly into the creamy sauce, allowing it to absorb flavors for 5 minutes.

Gently fold in roasted meatballs, ensuring they’re evenly coated.

Serve hot with extra parmesan sprinkled on top.

Tips for Perfectly Creamy Spaghetti

• Mix ground beef and pork for richer, more complex flavor profile in meatballs.
• Use fresh breadcrumbs instead of dried to keep meatballs tender and prevent dryness.
• Whisk flour slurry slowly to prevent lumps and ensure smooth, silky sauce texture.
• Cook spaghetti just shy of al dente before adding to sauce so it absorbs flavors without becoming mushy.
• Replace pasta with zucchini noodles and use almond flour for gluten-free meatball binding.

Variations for Spaghetti & Meatballs Fans

• Gluten-Free Comfort: Replace breadcrumbs with almond flour, use gluten-free pasta, and swap regular flour for cornstarch in the sauce.
• Vegetarian Delight: Substitute meat with plant-based meatballs made from lentils, mushrooms, and quinoa. Use vegetable broth instead of meat-based ingredients.
• Spicy Mediterranean Spin: Add red pepper flakes, swap marinara for arrabbiata sauce, incorporate feta cheese, and sprinkle fresh oregano for a zesty Mediterranean flavor profile.
• Low-Carb Option: Replace spaghetti with zucchini noodles, use ground turkey or chicken for lighter meatballs, and reduce cream quantity for a healthier version.

Serving Creamy Spaghetti for the Table

• Cozy Family Dinner Delight: Serve this creamy spaghetti and meatballs as a hearty main course for a comforting weeknight meal that everyone will love.
• Elegant Entertaining Plate: Garnish with fresh basil leaves, extra parmesan cheese, and a sprinkle of red pepper flakes to elevate the dish for dinner guests.
• Leftover Magic Makeover: Transform remaining pasta into a delicious next-day lunch by packing in a sealed container and adding a fresh sprinkle of cheese before serving.
• Side Dish Companions: Pair with a crisp garden salad, garlic bread, or roasted vegetables to create a complete and satisfying meal that balances the rich pasta.

Storing Spaghetti & Meatballs

• Store cooled spaghetti and meatballs in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days in the refrigerator. Separate sauce and meatballs if possible to maintain best texture.
• Pack completely cooled dish in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Meatballs and sauce can stay frozen for 2-3 months without losing quality.
• Thaw overnight in refrigerator, then warm gently in microwave or stovetop. Add splash of water or extra marinara to prevent drying out. Stir occasionally to distribute heat evenly.
• Cover containers tightly to prevent moisture loss and protect from absorbing other refrigerator odors. Let hot food cool completely before sealing to prevent condensation.

FAQs

• Can I use different types of meat for the meatballs?

Yes, you can mix ground beef, pork, or veal for a more complex flavor profile. Just maintain the same total meat weight.

• How do I prevent my meatballs from becoming dry?

Use a combination of meats with some fat content, don’t overmix the ingredients, and avoid overcooking. The egg and breadcrumbs help retain moisture.

• Is it necessary to use fresh herbs in this recipe?

Fresh herbs provide better flavor, but dried herbs work too. If using dried, reduce the quantity by about one-third compared to fresh herbs.

• Can I make the meatballs ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can prepare and bake the meatballs in advance, then store them in the refrigerator for 2-3 days before adding them to the sauce.

Creamy Meatballs Spaghetti Recipe

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4.7 from 25 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Succulent creamy meatballs spaghetti brings Italian comfort straight to dinner tables with rich, velvety sauce and perfectly seasoned meat. Homemade goodness promises warm, satisfying flavors that connect families around delicious shared moments.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meat and Protein:

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 pound ground pork
• 1/2 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano
• 1 large egg
• 5 cloves garlic, minced

Herbs and Seasonings:

• 3 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon sweet paprika

Base and Binding Ingredients:

• 1 cup Italian breadcrumbs
• 1/4 cup water
• 3 tablespoons tomato paste
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 1 small yellow onion, chopped
• 3 cups marinara sauce
• 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
• 1/2 teaspoon sugar
• 12 ounces (340 grams) spaghetti

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Instructions

1. In a mixing bowl, combine beaten egg, finely chopped herbs, salt, pepper, and minced garlic to create a flavor-rich base for the meatballs.
2. Gently fold ground beef and pork into the egg mixture, incorporating breadcrumbs and grated parmesan cheese until just combined.
3. Shape the mixture into uniform, golf ball-sized spheres, ensuring even cooking and consistent texture.
4. Preheat oven to 350°F and arrange meatballs on a lined baking sheet, leaving space between each ball for even heat circulation.
5. Bake for 10 minutes, carefully flip each meatball, then continue baking an additional 10-12 minutes until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 160°F.
6. In a large skillet, melt butter and sauté finely diced onions until translucent and fragrant.
7. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds, then pour in marinara sauce, a pinch of sugar, and heavy cream, stirring to create a smooth, rich base.
8. Simmer sauce for 2-3 minutes, allowing flavors to meld and slightly reduce.
9. Create a flour slurry by whisking flour with a small amount of water, then gradually stir into the sauce to achieve desired thickness.
10. Season sauce with additional herbs, salt, and pepper to enhance depth of flavor.
11. Cook spaghetti in salted boiling water until al dente, then drain and add directly to the sauce.
12. Gently toss pasta in sauce for 2-3 minutes, allowing it to absorb flavors and coating each strand evenly.
13. Carefully fold baked meatballs into the sauced pasta, ensuring gentle mixing to prevent breaking the meatballs.
14. Serve immediately, garnishing with fresh basil and extra parmesan cheese if desired.

Notes

• Enhance meatball texture by using a mix of ground beef and pork for richer flavor and juicier consistency.
• Prevent dense meatballs by gently mixing ingredients and avoiding overpacking when forming balls.
• Create gluten-free version by substituting breadcrumbs with almond flour or gluten-free breadcrumbs.
• Boost sauce creaminess by using full-fat heavy cream and allowing it to reduce slightly for deeper flavor profile.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 850
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 48 g
• Saturated Fat: 24 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 70 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 36 g
• Cholesterol: 150 mg