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Easy One-Pot Spaghetti and Meatballs

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A quick and comforting one-pot spaghetti and meatballs recipe perfect for busy weeknights, combining tender meatballs and flavorful sauce all cooked together in one pot.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb (450 g) ground beef (85% lean preferred)
  • 8 oz (225 g) spaghetti noodles (regular or gluten-free)
  • 28 oz (800 g) canned crushed tomatoes
  • 1 medium onion, finely diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tsp Italian seasoning (dried basil, oregano, thyme blend)
  • 1/2 cup (50 g) grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 1/2 cup (60 g) bread crumbs (plain or Italian seasoned)
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 3 cups (720 ml) water or low-sodium beef broth

Instructions

  1. In a mixing bowl, combine ground beef, grated Parmesan, bread crumbs, minced garlic, diced onion, egg, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix gently until just combined.
  2. Shape the mixture into small meatballs about 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter, yielding around 16 meatballs.
  3. Heat olive oil in a large deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Brown meatballs in batches for 5-6 minutes until caramelized on all sides. Transfer to a plate.
  4. In the same pot, sauté diced onion for 3 minutes until translucent. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  5. Pour in canned crushed tomatoes and water or beef broth. Stir to combine, scraping browned bits from the bottom. Season lightly with salt and pepper.
  6. Break spaghetti noodles in half and nestle into the simmering sauce. Place browned meatballs evenly on top. Cover with a lid.
  7. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer for 18-20 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. Add more water if sauce thickens too quickly.
  8. Check spaghetti for doneness (al dente preferred) and ensure meatballs are cooked through and tender. Adjust seasoning as needed.
  9. Serve immediately, sprinkled with extra Parmesan and fresh basil or parsley if desired.

Notes

Do not overcrowd the pan when browning meatballs to ensure proper caramelization. Break spaghetti in half for easier cooking and stirring. Use room temperature egg for better binding. Stir gently during simmering to keep meatballs intact. Adjust liquid as needed to prevent sauce from drying out. If sauce is too watery at the end, simmer uncovered to thicken.

Nutrition

Keywords: one-pot, spaghetti, meatballs, quick dinner, easy recipe, family meal, Italian, weeknight dinner

Find it online: https://islatable.com/easy-one-pot-spaghetti-and-meatballs-recipe-perfect-for-quick-dinner/