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–+ servings
spaghetti & meatballs

Creamy Spaghetti & Meatballs Recipe

5 from 4 votes
There’s something undeniably comforting about a plate of spaghetti and meatballs, but this version takes it up a notch with a creamy marinara sauce that’s irresistibly rich!
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Meatball Ingredients:
  • 1 large egg
  • 3 tablespoons finely chopped fresh parsley
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 5 cloves garlic minced
  • ¼ cup water
  • 3 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 pound ground pork
  • 1 cup dried Italian-style bread crumbs such as Progresso
  • ½ cup freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese plus extra for serving
Sauce Ingredients:
  • 3 tablespoons butter
  • 1 small yellow onion finely chopped
  • 5 cloves garlic minced
  • 3 cups high-quality marinara sauce such as Rao's
  • ½ teaspoon sugar
  • 1 ½ cups heavy cream
  • 12 oz spaghetti break in half for easier cooking
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon sweet paprika
  • Salt & pepper to taste

Equipment

Method
 

Prepare the Meatballs:
  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and position the rack in the middle.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together the egg, parsley, tomato paste, oregano, salt, pepper, 5 cloves of minced garlic, and water.
  3. Add the ground beef, ground pork, bread crumbs, and Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese. Mix gently with your hands until just combined—do not overwork.
  4. Roll the mixture into golf ball-sized meatballs and arrange them on an ungreased baking sheet.
  5. Bake for 10 minutes. Remove, flip the meatballs with a metal spatula, and bake for an additional 10 minutes, until browned and nearly cooked through.
Make the Sauce:
  1. In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the onion and sauté for about 5 minutes until softened. Stir in the remaining 5 cloves of minced garlic and cook for another minute.
  2. Pour in the marinara sauce and bring to a gentle simmer. Add sugar and adjust seasoning with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
  3. Stir in the heavy cream and let it simmer for 2-3 minutes to blend the flavors. In a small bowl, add ¼ cup water & flour, mix well & add this slurry to sauce to help thicken (make sure to whisk it into the sauce quickly) ! Let it simmer & once the sauce has thickened, add in all the seasonings!
Combine & Serve:
  1. Add the spaghetti to the sauce and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, to let the pasta absorb the sauce.
  2. Add the meatballs to the skillet and gently toss to combine.
  3. Serve hot, garnished with extra Parmigiano-Reggiano. (Watch Video below!!)

Notes

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