Description
This Healthy Spaghetti and Meatballs recipe is a family-friendly classic with a nutritious twist, combining lean ground beef and pork with fresh herbs and a flavorful tomato sauce. Perfectly cooked spaghetti is tossed with tender, juicy meatballs simmered in a rich sauce, making it an ideal meal that kids love and parents appreciate for its balanced ingredients and straightforward preparation.
Ingredients
Scale
Meatballs
- 1 pound Ground Beef (85% lean / 15% fat)
- 1/2 pound Ground Pork
- 1 cup Breadcrumbs (use gluten-free breadcrumbs if needed)
- 1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese (or Pecorino Romano)
- 1 large Egg
- 2 cloves Garlic (minced)
- 1/4 cup Fresh Parsley (chopped)
- 1/4 cup Fresh Basil (chopped)
- 1 teaspoon Dried Oregano
- 1 teaspoon Salt (adjust to taste)
- 1 teaspoon Black Pepper (adjust to taste)
- 1 small Onion (optional, finely chopped)
Sauce and Pasta
- 28 ounces Crushed Tomatoes (no-sugar-added recommended)
- 8 ounces Spaghetti
- 1 tablespoon Olive Oil (for browning meatballs and sautéing)
Instructions
- Mix the Meatball Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, egg, minced garlic, fresh parsley, fresh basil, dried oregano, optional onion, salt, and pepper. Mix just until combined to keep the meatballs tender.
- Shape the Meatballs: Gently form the mixture into approximately 30 meatballs, each about 1 inch in diameter, ensuring uniform size for even cooking.
- Cook the Spaghetti: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook until al dente according to package instructions. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining the spaghetti.
- Brown the Meatballs: In the same pot, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the meatballs, carefully turning them to brown all sides for 5 to 7 minutes. Remove the meatballs and set aside.
- Prepare the Sauce: If using onion, sauté finely chopped onions in the pot until translucent. Add minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds to release its aroma. Stir in the crushed tomatoes to create the sauce.
- Simmer Meatballs in Sauce: Return the browned meatballs to the pot with the sauce. Cover and simmer gently for 30 minutes, allowing flavors to meld and meatballs to cook through.
- Toss Pasta with Sauce: Add the cooked spaghetti back to the pot. Toss well to coat the pasta with sauce and meatballs. Use reserved pasta water as needed to adjust sauce consistency to your preference.
- Serve: Plate the spaghetti and meatballs hot, optionally garnished with extra Parmesan and fresh herbs for added flavor.
Notes
- For gluten-free diets, substitute regular breadcrumbs with gluten-free alternatives.
- Using a combination of beef and pork adds moisture and enhances flavor in the meatballs.
- Simmering the meatballs in the sauce helps keep them tender and flavorful.
- The reserved pasta water contains starch that helps bind the sauce to the spaghetti.
- Adjust salt and pepper according to taste, especially if using salted broth or cheese.
- Fresh herbs can be replaced with dried at half the quantity if needed.
