Perfect Spaghetti and Meatballs
- PREP 20min
- COOK 30min
- TOTAL 50min
Thanks to a simple mixture of milk and saltine crackers, these meatballs turn out juicy and tender, and our easy homemade spaghetti sauce tastes like it’s been simmering for hours, when in reality, it only takes about 15 minutes. This one is an absolute winner!
You Will Need
- Spaghetti and Meatballs
12 to 16 ounces dried spaghetti or your favorite pasta
8 ounces ground beef, use 85/15 or 80/20 (225g)
8 ounces ground pork (225g)
4 tablespoons saltine cracker crumbs from 8 crackers (25g)
½ cup + 1 tablespoon whole milk (135g)
1 ½ tablespoons olive oil
½ cup minced onion (60g)
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon ground fennel
¼ cup chopped parsley (10g)
6 tablespoons finely grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, 1 ½ ounces (42g)
¾ teaspoon fine sea salt
¼ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
- Homemade Sauce
½ cup minced shallot (60g)
6 cloves garlic, minced
¼ teaspoon Aleppo pepper or crushed red pepper flakes
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
¼ cup dry white wine (60ml)
⅓ cup chicken stock (80ml)
1 (28 ounce) can of crushed tomatoes, we like canned crushed tomatoes with basil
½ cup chopped fresh basil (15g)
1 teaspoon fine sea salt
¼ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
Directions
1Prep: Preheat the oven to 425°F (218°C). Lightly oil a parchment-lined baking sheet.
2Make the panade: Combine the crushed saltine crackers and milk in a small bowl. Let it sit on the counter for a few minutes so the crackers absorb the milk.
3Cook the onions, garlic, and fennel: Heat 1 ½ tablespoons of olive oil in a large, oven-safe skillet over medium heat. Add the onions, garlic, and fennel, and cook until softened but not browned, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from the heat.
4Make the meatball mixture: In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, ground pork, parsley, cheese, salt, pepper, and the cooked onion mixture. Add the soaked saltine mixture and mix until just combined (your hands work best for this).
5Shape the meatballs: Shape the mixture into 16 meatballs and place them on the prepared baking sheet. Bake until browned on top, 10 to 12 minutes. I use a medium (1 ½ to 2 tablespoon) cookie scoop to portion them.
6Make the sauce: While the meatballs bake, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in the same skillet over medium heat. Add the shallots, garlic, and Aleppo pepper. Cook until softened, 2 to 3 minutes.
7Pour in the wine and simmer until the pan looks almost dry. Sprinkle in the Italian seasoning and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Stir in the stock, crushed tomatoes, salt, pepper, and fresh basil. Bring the sauce to a low simmer.
8Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, then cook the spaghetti according to package directions (usually 10 to 12 minutes). Start checking for doneness a minute or two early.
9Simmer the baked meatballs: Gently nestle the baked meatballs into the sauce and pour in any juices left on the baking sheet. Spoon some sauce over each meatball. Cover the skillet and simmer over low heat until the meatballs reach an internal temperature of 160°F, 5 to 10 minutes.
10To finish: Add the cooked spaghetti to the skillet and toss to coat. Let it sit for a minute so the pasta absorbs some of the sauce. If the sauce looks too thick, stir in ¼ to ½ cup of the reserved pasta cooking water. Toss again, then serve with freshly grated Parmesan on top.
Adam and Joanne's Tips
- Storing: Cooked meatballs in an airtight container will last up to 3 days in the refrigerator. Both the meatballs and marinara sauce freeze well. Freeze separately or together for up to 3 months. Thaw frozen meatballs and sauce overnight in the fridge. Heat the sauce and meatballs gently on the stovetop or oven until warm.
- Ground meat: A mixture of ground beef (85/15 for juiciness) and ground pork is perfect for a classic flavor. But feel free to mix it with ground veal, lamb, or Italian sausage.
- Store-bought sauce: Our homemade tomato sauce is simple to make. If you’re short on time, choose a high-quality store-bought marinara. One 24-ounce jar of sauce should do it.
- The nutrition facts provided below are estimates.