Classic Spaghetti and Meatballs Recipe
A classic Spaghetti and Meatballs recipe adapted from the fabulous Lidia Matticchio Bastianich.
It turns out, not everyone thinks of the spaghetti and meatballs version of “On Top of Old Smokey” when they think of spaghetti and meatballs. Certain people who I live with, say they’ve never even heard of the song. What?!? How can that be? While he can break out in a primeval bluegrass song at the drop of a hat, he doesn’t know “On Top of Spaghetti?”
Of course I had to change that. I decided to enlighten Randy with my rendition of “On Top of Spaghetti.” “I never fail to marvel at the wonders of what is Amy,” was his reply.
Whatever. I didn’t make up the song. It’s a thing. It’s been around forever How can he not know the song? And how can we be married all these years and me not know that he does not know the song? Crazy is what it is.
Anyways, I remember a few years ago finally getting around to making my first batch of homemade Spaghetti and Meatballs. Yes. My first batch. Yes, ever. Up until then, I had done lots of things in the kitchen, but never the meatball. But then I did. And I have to say, it was, and still is, a darn good thing.
The whole family always enjoys Spaghetti and Meatballs, even my son, who, brace yourself, does not like pasta. Plus, they are so easy and satisfying, like a truly well-made Italian meatball should be. With help from Lidia Matticchio Bastianich, and her daughter, Tanya Bastianich Manuali’s cookbook, you’ll soon be in meatball bliss too.
And no, not one single meatball has ever met its fate by rolling on the floor and out the door from someone sneezing. It’s always good, happy meatball eating, y’all. Try these soon. I think you’ll be pleased.
Please note: The recipe below was adapted from “Spaghetti and Meatballs” from Lidia’s Favorite Recipes. Lidia’s original meatballs called for both ground pork and beef. I used beef only. I also cut back on the red pepper flakes in the sauce recipe below, but if you like to live on the spicy side, kick it up a notch by adding more.
Check out these delicious recipes to add your dinner menus:
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Classic Spaghetti and Meatballs Recipe
Please note: The recipe below was adapted from "Spaghetti and Meatballs" from Lidia's Favorite Recipes. Lidia's original meatballs called for both ground pork and beef. I used beef only. I also cut back on the red pepper flakes in the sauce recipe below, but if you like to live on the spicy side, kick it up a notch by adding more.Classic Spaghetti and Meatballs
Ingredients
Ingredients for the sauce:
Ingredients for the meatballs:
Additional ingredients:
Instructions
Notes
Best. Dinner. Ever. I’m quite certain my husband has never heard that song either. I used to sing lullabies to my kiddo when he was a baby, and hubby had no idea of the words to any of them. Who doesn’t know lullabies… twinkle twinkle? C’Mon!
Omg- I’m having 70s flashbacks. I’m going to ask my husband if he remembers it tomorrow. I’m sure he won’t. Well, spaghetti and meatballs is certainly a classic. Well done!
Whoa. How does he not know that song?!?! Good thing you’re there to culture your man 😉
This looks SO delicious!! My kids love spaghetti & meatballs. Thanks for sharing!
That is hilarious that Randy (Mr. Music Man) doesn’t know that song!! Things like that just keep marriage interesting & fun don’t they? 🙂
Oh those meatballs! Now I’m totally craving italian food!
Favorite food evaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaar.
Perfect dinner.
And you crack me up!
These look incredible! I’m going to have to sing that song today and see if my husband knows it. Now I’m totally curious.
This is the dinner that I request for my birthday every year 🙂
I love the classic spaghetti and meatballs! My kiddos LOVE spaghetti, so this recipe is a keeper!! My readers will also love this recipe, I would love for you to link this recipe up to my linky party!! –
http://www.fivelittlechefs.com/2013/01/fantastic-thursday-29.html
Thanks for sharing!!!
You just can’t beat a good spaghetti and meatball dinner, can you? Everyone from the youngest to the oldest enjoys it. Now I’m trying to think how long it’s been since I made meatballs…hmmm, maybe I know what’s for dinner!
Classic and yummy! A winner for all 🙂 Lovely photography, Amy! xo
One of my favorites and the kids’ absolute favorite. 🙂
My kiddos love spaghetti and meatballs the most! Your photos have me craving it and it’s still a little early for lunch!
Nothing beats a good spaghetti and meatball dinner.
You can never go wrong with spaghetti and meatballs.
I love Lidia!! This looks awesome, Amy! A big plate of comfort!
How on earth do you manage to make meatballs look so pretty? I tried to photograph them once and quickly gave up!
I used to sing this all the time when I was little. Looks delicious!
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Great recipe and balls awesome dinner! Will be doing again soon!
I am Italian….and this IS a great recipe for meatballs and sauce. If you don’t want to make meatballs… but still want a meat sauce…..just brown the ground beef (and pork if you like) before you add the tomatoes.
My husband and I made your sauce and meatballs with spaghetti squash and it was really yummy! It was our first time making our own sauce and meatballs. We made a double batch and froze half of it. Can’t wait to eat it again! 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
OK….
A. I love that song. And sing it every time we have spaghetti & meatballs (and sometimes when we don’t). And when kiddo was little, he would cry and run from the room. Not because of my voice, however…because he FELT SORRY FOR THE MEATBALL!!! Oh, I love to give him a heard time about that.
B. My parents had some great friends who are New York Italians (as opposed to Italy Italians?). Anyway…the husband is famous for his spaghetti & meatballs, but would only give the recipe out once you were married!!! Best shower gift ever? A set of pasta bowls and Mr. G’s recipe.
C. This is one of my favorite meals ever…and your pictures are gorgeous!
Spaghetti and meatballs are one of my all time favorite foods – yours look perfect!
It’s very easy to find out any topic on web as compared to textbooks,
as I found this paragraph at this website.
was hoping to make this for our valentines dinner! But was a little confused–do you cook the sauce for 30 min and then add the meatballs and cook sauce for additional 30 min? Or is the first 30 min of sauce cook time with the meatballs already in it? Sorry never made this homemade before so just wanted to clarify if it was 30 min or 1 hour total cook time for the sauce??
Thanks so much in advance!
Hello Brittany! Add the meatballs to the sauce and cook for an additional 30 minutes. I hope you have a tasty Valentine’s Day!
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Man, there is just nothing more classic than a big bowl of spaghetti and meatballs! This is perfection, thank you for sharing! I can’t wait to dive into this sometime soon! 😀
Such a classic and, yum, it looks amazing!
I do like pork with my meatballs but when I am too lazy to bring out my meat grinder attachment I just use packaged Italian sausage with my ground beef. If its spicy I omit pepper flakes. I use fresh breadcrumbs as I find it keeps the meat more moist.
One of the all time classics, great dish.
Made this tonight for dinner – it was to die for!! I’ve never made spaghetti with meatballs (I always just do sauce) and it was so much easier than I thought it would be. Thanks for the awesome recipe!
This is our dinner for tonight. The meatballs are in the sauce for their 30 min simmer. I was SO GLAD to see you said to not “beat the meat” mixture to death (or similar to that) as I have always read to be gentle when mixing the meatballs. Then I used a Food Network recipe and Alton said to use a STAND MIXER to make Swedish meatballs. I didn’t. Lol. And, I know the song. But I think we said “Oh top of old Smokey, all covered with grass, I saw a Bald Eagle, a scratching his…..” lol. And the nursery rhyme at 3 am sorta went like “Go to sleep, little creep, I am tired and I’m weary”…. lol
LMFAO!!!!!! This just made my day!! Hilarious.
I watch Lidia’s Kitchen here in MESA on Saturdays religiously.. Love her show..
There’s a pizza parlor near me that serves the best spaghetti & meatballs,,,,,,,, even better than “Olive Garden” here in MESA, AZ. They use 3 meats,, hand made pasta and they make their own spumoni ice cream.. There’s an employee that pushes a cart around with a 50 lb wheel of Romano cheese and shaves it off when you get your dinner..
What is it called? I live in Phoenix, sounds awesome
Made Lidia’s meatballs and spaghetti with my husband for dinner! Fantastic sauce, and the meatballs were perfect! Highly recommended!
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I am trying this tonight, wish me luck!❤❤