Pasta & Meatballs Recipe
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
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
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
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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
- 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.
- 11
Serve
Plate the pasta and meatballs, garnishing with additional Parmesan cheese and fresh basil if desired. Serve hot.


