Pasta with meatballs is a classic Italian-American dish that is loved by people of all ages. It is a hearty and comforting meal that is perfect for a family dinner or a casual gathering with friends. This recipe features tender and flavorful meatballs made with ground beef, pork, and veal, simmered in a rich and savory balsamic tomato sauce. The meatballs are then served over a bed of perfectly cooked pasta, creating a dish that is both delicious and satisfying.
In addition to the classic pasta with meatballs recipe, this article also includes variations such as:
* **Turkey meatballs with marinara sauce:** A healthier version of the classic dish, made with ground turkey and a lighter marinara sauce.
* **Vegetarian meatballs with roasted red pepper sauce:** A meatless option that is packed with flavor, made with a variety of vegetables and a creamy roasted red pepper sauce.
* **Baked meatballs with spaghetti squash:** A low-carb take on the classic dish, made with baked meatballs and spaghetti squash instead of pasta.
Whether you are looking for a traditional pasta with meatballs recipe or a more creative variation, this article has something for everyone. So gather your ingredients and get ready to make a delicious and memorable meal!
EASY MEATBALLS RECIPE
These Italian meatballs are cooked directly in a thick tomato meatball sauce. Serve with any tubular pasta for an easy dinner your whole family will love!
Provided by Heidi
Categories Appetizer Main Course
Time 1h55m
Number Of Ingredients 19
Steps:
- Heat the oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until it begins to brown, about 10 minutes. Lower the heat to medium-low and cook to deepen the color for more flavor.
- Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute, stirring constantly.
- Add the crushed tomatoes and tomato paste and stir well. Add the sugar, oregano, salt and pepper. Bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low. Cover with a lid and cook for at least 30 minutes, stirring occasionally so the bottom doesn't burn and the flavors develop.
- Meanwhile, prepare the meatballs. Break the beef apart in a large bowl. Add the beaten egg, bread crumbs, oregano, mint, salt and pepper. Gently mix with your hands until blended. Don't overwork the beef or the meatballs will be tough.
- Shape the mixture into about 12 1 1/2-inch meatballs. Drop them into the sauce and stir gently to cover in sauce. Cover the pan and cook, stirring occasionally, until the meatballs are cooked through, about 45 minutes to 1 hour.
- Boil the pasta according to the package directions. Drain.
- Remove the meatballs from the sauce and add the pasta. Gently stir to coat the pasta then add the meatballs back to the pan. Serve with grated Parmesan cheese and sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley.
Nutrition Facts : ServingSize 1 g, Calories 903 kcal, Carbohydrate 106 g, Protein 40 g, Fat 37 g, SaturatedFat 11 g, Cholesterol 122 mg, Sodium 1188 mg, Fiber 11 g, Sugar 25 g
SPAGHETTI & MEATBALLS
This spaghetti and meatball recipe is easy enough for a busy weeknight -- and it's a family favorite, too!
Provided by Jennifer Segal
Categories Dinner
Time 50m
Yield 4 to 6 (Makes 22 to 24 small meatballs)
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and set an oven rack in the middle position.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the egg, basil, parsley, oregano, salt, pepper, garlic and water. Add the meat, breadcrumbs and cheese and mix until just combined (your hands are the best tool). Do not overwork it.
- Roll the mixture into golf ball-sized meatballs and place on an ungreased baking sheet. Bake for about 10 minutes, then remove the baking sheet from oven and use a metal spatula to turn the meatballs (they will stick a bit but should release easily when you scrape under them with the spatula). Put the meatballs back in the oven and cook for another 10 minutes, until they are nicely browned and almost cooked through.
- In the meantime, bring the marinara sauce to a simmer in a large skillet. Taste it and adjust the seasoning if necessary (I usually add a healthy pinch of sugar and some freshly ground black pepper). Transfer the browned meatballs to the marinara sauce, leaving the fat behind. Cover loosely with a lid or foil and simmer for about 10 minutes, until the flavors marry and the meatballs are cooked through. Keep warm until ready to toss with pasta.
- While the meatballs are cooking, bring a large pot of well-salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook until al dente. Drain, then toss with the sauce and meatballs (you may find it easier to toss everything together in the pasta pot rather than the skillet; it depends on the sizes of pans you are using.). Serve topped with fresh basil and more grated cheese.
- Freezer-Friendly Instructions: The cooked meatballs can be frozen, in their sauce, for up to 3 months. When ready to serve, defrost overnight in the refrigerator and reheat on the stovetop until the meatballs are hot in the center.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 731, Fat 29 g, Carbohydrate 78 g, Protein 37 g, SaturatedFat 10 g, Sugar 11 g, Fiber 6 g, Sodium 897 mg, Cholesterol 116 mg
ITALIAN SPAGHETTI SAUCE WITH MEATBALLS
This is a recipe I got from my mother years ago -- it's great.
Provided by Jeremy
Categories Side Dish Sauces and Condiments Recipes Sauce Recipes Pasta Sauce Recipes Tomato
Time 2h20m
Yield 6
Number Of Ingredients 17
Steps:
- In a large bowl, combine ground beef, bread crumbs, parsley, Parmesan, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, garlic powder and beaten egg. Mix well and form into 12 balls. Store, covered, in refrigerator until needed.
- In a large saucepan over medium heat, saute onion and garlic in olive oil until onion is translucent. Stir in tomatoes, salt, sugar and bay leaf. Cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer 90 minutes. Stir in tomato paste, basil, 1/2 teaspoon pepper and meatballs and simmer 30 minutes more. Serve.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 346.6 calories, Carbohydrate 23 g, Cholesterol 77.4 mg, Fat 21.2 g, Fiber 4.5 g, Protein 18.9 g, SaturatedFat 5.9 g, Sodium 1492.5 mg, Sugar 11.1 g
TOMATO & BASIL SAUCE
Save time and money with this simple and tasty sauce, great with pasta, meat or fish
Provided by Good Food team
Categories Lunch, Main course, Pasta
Time 15m
Yield Makes 350ml
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Heat the olive oil in a pan, add the garlic clove, then gently fry for 1 min.
- Tip in the chopped tomatoes, vegetable stock powder, tomato purée and sugar, then bring to the boil. Reduce the heat, then simmer uncovered for 5 mins, stirring occasionally.
- To finish, tear a few basil leaves, then stir into the sauce.
- Heat the olive oil in a pan, add the garlic clove, then gently fry for 1 min.
- Tip in the chopped tomatoes, vegetable stock powder, tomato purée and sugar, then bring to the boil. Reduce the heat, then simmer uncovered for 5 mins, stirring occasionally.
- To finish, tear a few basil leaves, then stir into the sauce.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 52 calories, Fat 3 grams fat, SaturatedFat 1 grams saturated fat, Carbohydrate 5 grams carbohydrates, Sugar 4 grams sugar, Fiber 1 grams fiber, Protein 2 grams protein, Sodium 0.3 milligram of sodium
PASTA WITH MEATBALLS IN BALSAMIC TOMATO SAUCE
Steps:
- Heat oil in heavy large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add onion and garlic; sauté until soft and golden, about 5 minutes. Stir in tomatoes and wine. Simmer 10 minutes. Add meatballs and basil. Reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, until meatballs are heated through and sauce is slightly reduced, about 15 minutes.
- Meanwhile, cook pasta in large pot of boiling salted water until just tender but still firm to bite. Drain; return to pot. Add meatballs with sauce and 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer to bowl; sprinkle with 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese.
BALSAMIC TOMATO SAUCE
This is a very easy pasta sauce, especially nice to make on busy nights. The basic recipe was adapted from the "Bon Appetit" November 2002 issue. The balsamic vinegar raises the sauce to a level above ordinary. It's a good sauce to play around with to make it your own.
Provided by rochsann
Categories Low Protein
Time 25m
Yield 4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Heat oil in heavy large saucepan over medium-high heat.
- Add onion and garlic and saute until soft.
- Stir in tomatoes, balsamic vinegar, wine, and basil.
- Simmer 15 minutes.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 135.8, Fat 7.2, SaturatedFat 1, Sodium 13.7, Carbohydrate 11.9, Fiber 2.9, Sugar 7, Protein 2.2
PASTA WITH MEATBALLS
Carbohydrate avoidance be damned: pasta with meatballs is the perfect culinary counter to the cruel world. Just looking at a slippery, tomato-sauced tangle of spaghetti topped with juicy toothsome meatballs makes you feel better; eating it is the instant antidote to whatever ails you. The recipe here makes more sauce, perhaps, than you'd normally want to use to dress a pound of pasta, but when I sit down to eat with the children I want to make sure I'm not going to have to get up and make them anything else to eat before they go to bed. (Of course you can freeze a portion of little meatballs in sauce for easy access in meals ahead. They need not accompany a bowl of pasta. My children like them just as much with a mound of plain white rice. Who wouldn't?)
Provided by Nigella Lawson
Categories dinner, pastas, main course
Time 1h
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 19
Steps:
- Prepare meatballs: In a large bowl, combine pork, beef, egg, Parmesan, garlic, oregano, bread crumbs, salt and pepper to taste. Mix thoroughly but lightly, handling mixture as little as possible.
- Line a baking sheet with plastic wrap. Shape rounded teaspoonfuls of meat mixture into balls 1 inch in diameter, and place on plastic. Refrigerate while making sauce.
- Prepare sauce: Combine onion, garlic and oregano in a food processor, and puree until smooth. Combine butter and oil in a wide, deep pan, and place over low heat until butter melts. Add onion-garlic mixture. Simmer, stirring occasionally, about 10 minutes; do not brown. Add passata and 2 cups water to pan. Season with sugar, and salt and pepper to taste.
- Simmer for 10 minutes, then add milk and bring sauce back to a simmer. Gently drop in meatballs one by one so that they do not break (make sure the meatballs are submerged); do not stir pan. Cover pan partially with a lid, and simmer for 20 minutes.
- Adjust seasonings to taste. Place hot pasta in a large serving bowl. Pour most of sauce (reserving meatballs) on pasta, and toss to combine. Top pasta with meatballs, and serve.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 897, UnsaturatedFat 18 grams, Carbohydrate 100 grams, Fat 36 grams, Fiber 8 grams, Protein 42 grams, SaturatedFat 14 grams, Sodium 1036 milligrams, Sugar 9 grams, TransFat 1 gram
Tips for Making the Best Pasta with Meatballs in Balsamic Tomato Sauce
- Use high-quality ingredients. The better the ingredients, the better the dish will be. Opt for fresh, organic ingredients whenever possible.
- Make sure the meatballs are well-seasoned. The meatballs are the star of the dish, so make sure they are packed with flavor. Use a variety of herbs and spices to create a complex and delicious flavor profile.
- Cook the meatballs thoroughly. Undercooked meatballs can be dangerous, so make sure they are cooked all the way through. Use a meat thermometer to ensure that the meatballs have reached an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Simmer the sauce for at least 30 minutes. This will allow the flavors to meld and develop. The longer you simmer the sauce, the better it will taste.
- Add a splash of acidity. A little bit of acidity can help to brighten up the flavors of the dish. Add a squeeze of lemon juice or a splash of balsamic vinegar to the sauce.
- Serve the pasta with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese. Parmesan cheese is a classic Italian cheese that pairs perfectly with pasta. It adds a touch of richness and flavor to the dish.
Conclusion
Pasta with meatballs in balsamic tomato sauce is a delicious and comforting dish that is perfect for any occasion. With its rich, flavorful sauce and tender meatballs, this dish is sure to be a hit with everyone at the table. So next time you are looking for a quick and easy weeknight meal, give this recipe a try. You won't be disappointed!
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