Jul 14 2026
RestaurantsFortinaSpaghetti & Meatballs Recipe

Spaghetti & Meatballs Recipe

Inspired by Fortina
Time45m
Serves4

Make Spaghetti & Meatballs Recipe in just 45m. Get the full recipe with step-by-step instructions at pekinthechef.com.

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Ingredients

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Pasta

Method

Cooking the Spaghetti

  1. 1

    Prepare Water

    In a large pot, bring 4 quarts of water to a rolling boil. Add 1 tablespoon of salt to the water.

  2. 2

    Cook Spaghetti

    Add 12 ounces of spaghetti to the boiling water. Cook according to package instructions until al dente, usually about 8-10 minutes. Once cooked, drain and set aside.

Making the Meatballs

  1. 3

    Mix Ingredients

    In a large bowl, combine 1 pound of ground beef, 1 cup of breadcrumbs, 0.5 cup of grated Parmesan cheese, 2 tablespoons of chopped parsley, 1 large egg, 2 minced garlic cloves, 1 teaspoon of salt, and 0.5 teaspoon of black pepper. Mix until just combined.

  2. 4

    Form Meatballs

    Shape the mixture into meatballs, about 1 inch in diameter. You should have about 18-20 meatballs.

  3. 5

    Cook Meatballs

    In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. Add the meatballs and cook until browned on all sides, about 8-10 minutes. Remove from skillet and set aside.

Making the Sauce

  1. 6

    Sauté Onion and Garlic

    In the same skillet, add 1 medium finely chopped onion and 3 minced garlic cloves. Sauté until the onion is translucent, about 5 minutes.

  2. 7

    Add Tomatoes and Spices

    Stir in 28 ounces of canned crushed tomatoes, 1 teaspoon of dried oregano, 1 teaspoon of dried basil, 1 teaspoon of salt, and 0.5 teaspoon of black pepper. Bring to a simmer.

  3. 8

    Combine Meatballs and Sauce

    Return the meatballs to the skillet, cover, and let simmer for 15-20 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.

Combining and Serving

  1. 9

    Combine Spaghetti and Sauce

    Add the drained spaghetti to the skillet with the sauce and meatballs. Toss gently to combine, ensuring the spaghetti is well coated with sauce.

  2. 10

    Serve

    Serve immediately, garnished with additional parsley or Parmesan cheese if desired.

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