Jul 13 2026
RestaurantsMike's Italian KitchenPasta & Meatballs Recipe

Pasta & Meatballs Recipe

Time1h
Serves4

Make Pasta & Meatballs Recipe in just 1h . Get the full recipe with step-by-step instructions at pekinthechef.com.

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Ingredients

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Pasta

Meatballs

Sauce

Method

Pasta

  1. 1

    Boil the Water

    In a large pot, bring 4 liters of water to a boil over high heat. Add 1 tablespoon of salt to the boiling water.

  2. 2

    Cook the Spaghetti

    Once the water is boiling, add 400 grams of spaghetti and cook according to package instructions, usually about 8-10 minutes until al dente. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.

  3. 3

    Drain the Pasta

    Once cooked, reserve a cup of pasta water for later use, then drain the spaghetti in a colander and set aside.

Meatballs

  1. 4

    Prepare the Meatball Mixture

    In a large bowl, combine 500 grams of ground beef, 100 grams of breadcrumbs, 50 grams of grated Parmesan cheese, 1 whole egg, 2 teaspoons of minced garlic, 1 teaspoon of salt, 0.5 teaspoon of black pepper, and 1 teaspoon of dried oregano. Mix until well combined.

  2. 5

    Form the Meatballs

    Using your hands, form the mixture into meatballs, about 2.5 cm in diameter. Place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

  3. 6

    Cook the Meatballs

    In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. Add the meatballs to the skillet and cook for about 8-10 minutes, turning occasionally until browned and cooked through.

Sauce

  1. 7

    Sauté the Onions and Garlic

    In the same skillet used for the meatballs, add 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Sauté 1 chopped onion until translucent, about 3-4 minutes, then add 3 teaspoons of minced garlic and cook for an additional minute.

  2. 8

    Add the Tomatoes and Seasonings

    Stir in 800 grams of canned crushed tomatoes, 1 teaspoon of dried basil, 1 teaspoon of salt, 0.5 teaspoon of black pepper, and 1 teaspoon of sugar. Let the sauce simmer for about 10-15 minutes.

  3. 9

    Combine Meatballs with Sauce

    Add the cooked meatballs to the sauce and let simmer together for an additional 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.

Final Assembly

  1. 10

    Combine Pasta and Sauce

    In a large mixing bowl, combine the drained spaghetti with the sauce and meatballs. Toss gently, adding reserved pasta water as needed to achieve desired sauce consistency.

  2. 11

    Serve

    Plate the pasta and meatballs, garnishing with additional Parmesan cheese and fresh basil if desired. Serve hot.

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