Description
Grandpa’s Spaghetti & Meatballs is a hearty and comforting Italian classic featuring a savory blend of ground beef and Italian sausage baked into tender meatballs, simmered in a rich homemade tomato sauce. Perfect for serving over spaghetti or in meatball subs, this recipe brings family-loved flavors to your dinner table.
Ingredients
For the Meatballs
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 pound ground Italian sausage
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup Panko breadcrumbs
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese, shredded
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 8 grinds fresh black pepper
- ½ cup milk
- ¼ cup parsley, chopped
For the Sauce
- 2 (28 oz) cans crushed tomatoes or whole peeled San Marzano tomatoes, chopped with juice
- 1 (28 oz) can water
- 1 (12 oz) can tomato paste
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 8 grinds fresh black pepper
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
For Serving
- 1 pound spaghetti or more, depending on number of people
- Parmesan cheese for serving
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 400°F using the convection bake setting. This ensures your meatballs will cook evenly with a nice browned exterior.
- Prepare the Meatball Mixture: In a large bowl, combine ground beef, Italian sausage, eggs, panko breadcrumbs, shredded Parmesan, garlic and onion powders, kosher salt, black pepper, milk, and chopped parsley. Use your hands to mix thoroughly, ensuring all ingredients are evenly incorporated.
- Form the Meatballs: Shape the meat mixture into golf ball-sized balls, about 16 to 20 pieces total. Using a portion scoop can help maintain consistent sizes. Place meatballs on a sheet pan lined with parchment or foil.
- Bake the Meatballs: Bake the meatballs in the preheated 400°F convection oven for 15 to 20 minutes. Check by cutting one open to verify they are cooked through.
- Prepare the Tomato Sauce: While the meatballs bake, combine crushed tomatoes, water, tomato paste, garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, kosher salt, black pepper, and olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat.
- Simmer the Sauce: Once boiling, reduce heat to low and cover the pot. Let the sauce simmer gently for 1 hour, which will develop deep flavors.
- Add Meatballs to Sauce: When meatballs are done baking, carefully transfer them along with any drippings from the sheet pan into the simmering sauce. Continue cooking together to meld flavors.
- Cook Spaghetti: Meanwhile, prepare spaghetti according to package instructions. Drain well.
- Serve: Plate spaghetti and top generously with meatballs and sauce. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese as desired and enjoy your comforting Grandpa’s Spaghetti & Meatballs dinner!
Notes
- Meatballs can be frozen raw, cooked, or cooked in the sauce for easy meal prep.
- These meatballs are delicious in meatball subs on hoagie buns topped with melted provolone cheese.
