Homemade Spaghetti and Meatballs

A fresh, Italian-inspired sauce brings delicious flavor to this homemade spaghetti and meatball recipe.

• Preparation Time: 15 mins
• Cooking Time: 3 hr
• Total Time: 3 hr 15 mins
• Calories: 384 Calories

Ingredients

• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 2 tablespoons dried parsley
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 1 tablespoon dried parsley
• 3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 large clove garlic, crushed
• 1 (16 ounce) package spaghetti
• 1 (5.5 ounce) can tomato paste
• 1 (29 ounce) can whole peeled tomatoes
• 19 fluid ounces tomato juice
• 16 soda crackers, crushed
• 0.5 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 0.25 teaspoon dried thyme
• 0.25 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1.5 pounds lean ground beef
• 0.5 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, or to taste
• 0.125 teaspoon dried thyme

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

Step 2

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook spaghetti in the boiling water, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, about 12 minutes. Drain.

Step 3

Combine tomatoes, tomato juice, tomato paste, onion, parsley, salt, red pepper flakes, black pepper, thyme, and cloves in a large pot. Bring to a boil over high heat; reduce heat to low and let simmer for 1 to 1 1/2 hours.

Step 4

Meanwhile, combine beef, crackers, eggs, Parmesan cheese, garlic, parsley, and thyme in a bowl. Form into large meatballs and place into a broiler pan.

Step 5

Bake in the preheated oven until browned and no longer pink in the centers, about 30 minutes.

Step 6

Transfer meatballs to sauce and continue to simmer, 2 to 2 1/2 hours more.

Step 7

Serve sauce and meatballs over cooked spaghetti.