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Creamy Spaghetti & Meatballs Recipe

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★★★★★

4.8 from 101 reviews

This Creamy Spaghetti & Meatballs recipe features tender homemade meatballs baked to perfection and simmered in a rich, creamy marinara sauce. The blend of ground beef and pork melds with fresh herbs and Parmesan cheese for a flavorful, comforting Italian classic elevated by a luscious cream-infused sauce and perfectly cooked spaghetti.

Ingredients

Scale

Meatballs

  • 1 large egg
  • 3 tablespoons finely chopped fresh parsley
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 5 cloves garlic (minced)
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 3 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 pound ground pork
  • 1 cup dried Italian-style bread crumbs (such as Progresso)
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese (plus extra for serving)

Sauce & Pasta

  • 3 tablespoons butter
  • 1 small yellow onion (finely chopped)
  • 5 cloves garlic (minced)
  • 3 cups high-quality marinara sauce (such as Rao’s)
  • 1/2 teaspoon sugar
  • 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
  • 12 oz spaghetti (break in half for easier cooking)
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon sweet paprika
  • Salt & pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Meatballs: Preheat your oven to 350°F and position the rack in the middle. In a large bowl, whisk together the egg, parsley, tomato paste, oregano, salt, pepper, 5 cloves of minced garlic, and water until well combined. Add ground beef, ground pork, Italian bread crumbs, and grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese. Gently mix with your hands just until all ingredients are combined without overworking the mixture.
  2. Shape and Bake Meatballs: Roll the meat mixture into golf ball-sized meatballs and place them evenly on an ungreased baking sheet. Bake the meatballs for 10 minutes. Then carefully flip them with a metal spatula and bake for an additional 10 minutes until they are browned and nearly cooked through.
  3. Make the Sauce: While the meatballs bake, melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and sauté for about 5 minutes until softened. Stir in the remaining 5 cloves of minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
  4. Simmer Marinara: Pour the marinara sauce into the skillet with the onions and garlic, bring to a gentle simmer. Add the sugar, garlic powder, sweet paprika, and season with salt and black pepper to taste. Let the sauce blend together while you prepare the next steps.
  5. Add Cream and Thicken Sauce: Stir in the heavy cream and allow the sauce to simmer for 2-3 minutes to marry the flavors. In a small bowl, mix 1/4 cup water with an appropriate amount of flour to form a slurry. Whisk this slurry quickly into the sauce to thicken it. Continue simmering until the sauce reaches your desired consistency.
  6. Cook Spaghetti in Sauce: Add the broken spaghetti directly into the skillet with the sauce. Cook the pasta for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, so the noodles absorb the rich sauce.
  7. Combine Meatballs and Sauce: Gently add the baked meatballs to the skillet and toss everything carefully to coat the meatballs and pasta in the creamy sauce evenly.
  8. Serve: Serve the creamy spaghetti and meatballs hot, garnished generously with extra freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese for that perfect finishing touch.

Notes

  • Do not overmix the meatball mixture to keep them tender and juicy.
  • Breaking the spaghetti in half helps it cook evenly in the sauce.
  • Use a high-quality marinara sauce for best flavor.
  • If the sauce gets too thick, add a little more water or cream to adjust consistency.
  • For a bit of extra flavor, fresh basil or oregano can be added when simmering the sauce.

Keywords: creamy spaghetti, meatballs, Italian pasta recipe, baked meatballs, creamy marinara sauce, family dinner, comfort food

Find it online: https://kochenmitviktoria.com/creamy-spaghetti-and-meatballs-recipe/